Any chance a swollen left supraclavicular lymph node (Virchow's node) could NOT be cancer?

I don't have any other symptoms or any other swollen lymph nodes. The only complicating factor is that I had a root canal on a back tooth on the left side of my mouth and had a subsequent infection, so I guess that there is some obscure chance that this could be related to the infection I had in the tooth/gum after the root canal was done--except that everything I'm reading says that this particular lymph node doesn't drain that way.

I also wonder is whether it really is my lymph node? The swelling is between the top of my shoulder and my clavicle . . . I can tell that this side is more swollen than the other side. Now it feels like my collarbone itself is larger on that side. It isn't tender, but it aches at times. (because I'm poking at it?)

I have upper GI problems for almost ten years (GERD, etc) so obviously I am concerned about pancreatic or esophageal cancer. My CT scan is on Sunday, but I'm going nuts waiting. I would love to hear that it could be something else!

PS I was on clindomycin (sp?) for a week, then on 875 mg of Augmentin for ten days. I had just finished the first round of antibiotics when I noticed the lump.

There is a problem! : Do you want to / love to hear support ? or you want to know what you can do with that ? ; these are completely separated I think .
I don't know why you take a CT scan , there is no indication for that yet . The first step is needle biopsy (FNA) , then searching for breast lungs and GI sources with physical examination , xrays and endoscopic evaluations .
Virschow node is not 100% malignant , so wait and be patience till evaluations demonstrate the real cause . You can start approaching to your neck mass in an ENT departement .

tomorrow I'll have it removed (excisional biopsy) even though the CT scan didn't show anything. So I'll have a definitive answer soon! But thanks to all who have answered. whatever happens, I'll post my results here because I am sure that others in this situation will want to know. Report It

Not sure how else to respond here. But it was NOT the lymph node--it was a lipoma (fatty, non-cancerous tumor) that was causing the swelling. I am super-grateful . . . Report It

chances are it is NOT cancer, especially given the history of past infections. If you told me that your mom and dad and both grandparents had died of lymphocitic disease I may be more concerned, but i'd rate your chances of it being cancer at about 3%

Any time we have swollen lymph nodes we worry that it's cancer. But the truth of the matter is, you very well may have another lymph node somewhere else that is swollen and you just may not have noticed it. Also, the size of your swelling is of importance. You saying it is aching is a good sign as well. It is amazing what the lymph system does and how it works. Do not worry until you have a reason to worry. I know that sounds cliche, but it is true. Most patients do not present to the doc with swollen nodes until they are about the size of an orange. And you're absolutely right! They are usually not tender at all. Put your mind at ease and have this checked out.

You can get a swollen lymph node just from having an infection (the root canal was probably for an infected tooth?) I have a friend who had a swollen lymph node and had to have a CT that turned out to be no big deal. They can also just become inflamed for no reason and then resolve. I think it is actually probably not cancer but it sounds like your doctor is taking good care of you! I know this is probably not going to help you much but I always tell my patients not to worry until you know for sure that there is something to worry about. You waste alot of time and anxiety and 90% of what we worry about never happens. Best of Luck and good wishes and prayers for ya!