General Q and A Forum - Can I request an FNA or biopsy of lymph node ?

You wrote:

"Current medical status: About two and a halfish months ago, I noticed a lump on the left side of my neck measuring about 1cm in diameter.... a month later, it began to rapidly increase in size to about 2cm by 1 cm and a smaller lump of about 1 cm connected to it..... here are my questions, preceded by more specific info, etcetera.... -info about lump..... originally, it very palpable, right beneath the skin, but not attached to it, but rather underlying structures... and it was round, smooth and firmish and moved very freely.... NOW is no longer as readily felt, having receded (can only describe that it has gone into hiding and now you have to hunt a little more), has increased in size, changed shape from round to oval, produced a smaller friend and has decreased in mobility... it has always been painless and does not produce heat or skin rash..... I also noticed some smaller lumps on the right side in in the same position that have just popped up (about .75cm)... - it is located 2 in above my collarbone (using the edge of my trap. muscle as a line of division between front and rear)... it is about an inch on the anterior side of my trap. muscle - in posterior triangle..... it feels as though it's affixed to a small vein.... when I turn my head to the right, stretching my neck muscles, it becomes covered by the surrounding muscles, but does not feel like they are attached to a flex-ing structure and does not smash upon muscular contact..... -I have been experiencing weight loss (due to appetite) and fatigue, hot flashes followed by chills (small incidents), as well as a non-sputum producing cough (dr. says that it is poorly controlled athle. asthma)... full bloodwork (CBC, metabolic panel, strep, mono, lymes, thyroid) have all come back normal with the exception of low overall cholesterol (HDL is at 39).... I had an MRI with contrast 7 months ago for migraines, and it revealed normal anatomy (although I am not sure how far down they went and/or if contrast used would be an appropriate indicator) chest x-rays clear...these aside...."

It is very reasonable to request a Fine needle aspiration (FNA) in your case. A FNA provides very valuable data about the nature of those lymph nodes, cysts, or whatever is happening in the area.

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