Neck lumps, infectious and non-infectious, can be dangerous if avoided: Doctors

Ignoring neck lumps which can be both of infectious and noninfectious origin can prove to be dangerous said experts on Sunday stressing the need for early diagnosisThe lymphatic system is a network of vessels and nodes that helps fight infection and disease Lymph nodes are small beanshaped lumps of tissue found throughout the bodyWhen the body is fighting an infection like in the case of fever lymph nodes can swell However if the lymph nodes are swollen and painless it could also be a sign of cancerldquoIf one is having a swollen lymph node which is gradually getting bigger with or without pain fever it mandates immediate medical attention and expert advicerdquo Neha Rastogi Panda Senior Infectious Diseases Specialist at Fortis Memorial Research Institute Gurgaon told IANSPanda said that in Indian settings one of most common causes of lymph node enlargement swelling is tuberculosis TB Other infections viral fungal should also be sought on a case to case basis Furthermore nodes can also be a sign of an inflammatory process and also cancerous origin called lymphomaldquoThere is overlap and always a dilemma owing to huge similarity between symptoms of lymphoma and infections particularly tuberculosis which leads to delay in appropriate treatment We have seen one has been started on antitubercular therapy without diagnosis and it doesnt improve leading to further delay and complicationsrdquo the doctor saidldquoLymphoma can be misdiagnosed as TB so it becomes important to diagnose it correctly the only way these two can be separated is by biopsy and blood worksrdquo Rahul Bhargava a lymphoma expert and Principal director of haematology and bone marrow transplant at Fortis Memorial Research Institute Gurugram told IANSLymphoma is cancer that begins in infectionfighting cells of the immune system called lymphocytes These cells are in the lymph nodesBhargava said ldquofor Lymphoma with newer treatment methods the cure rate has become higher but what is required is early diagnosisrdquoldquoFirst thing when we see an enlarged lymph node or a prolonged fever or weight loss we should do lymphrsquos node biopsy to characterise and differentiate between Hodgkinrsquos or nonHodgkins lymphoma for which we need a special test called immunhistochemistryrdquoBhargava said that bone marrow transplants have helped improve the clinical outcomes in a big wayldquoMany patients recovered successfully after being declared terminal just because we considered innovative modules as an important and effective treatment optionrdquo he told IANSRadiation therapy which uses highenergy rays or particles to destroy cancer cells may also help ldquoRadiation therapy is part of the treatment for most people with Hodgkin lymphoma It is essential in patients with bulky disease and also in patients where chemotherapy does not achieve complete remission It is also used to ease palliate symptoms caused by lymphoma that has spread to internal organs such as the brain or spinal cord or when a tumour is causing pain because its pressing on nervesrdquo Vineet Nakra Radiation Oncologist at Max Super SpecialityThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever