Common Causes
Causes of swollen lymph nodes (glands) may include infection (viral, bacterial, fungal, parasites). Symptoms of swollen lymph nodes vary greatly, but may include fever, night sweats, toothache, sore throat, or weight loss. Causes of swollen lymph nodes also vary, but may include cancer, the common cold, mono, chickenox, HIV, and herpes.
Related Conditions
- Physical examination, feeling with fingers the nodes in the affected area to check their size and whether they feel hard, tender or warm
- Lab tests, including blood tests to check for suspected underlying conditions
- Imaging tests, including an X-ray, computed tomography (CT) scan, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or ultrasound test
What could cause long term swollen lymph nodes?
Sometimes lymph nodes remain swollen long after an infection has disappeared. As long as the lymph node does not change or become hard, this is not typically a sign of a problem. If a person notices that a lymph nodes changes, hardens, or grows very large, they should see a doctor.
What are signs you have a cancerous lymph node?
- Tilt your head towards the side you are examining; this helps to relax the muscle.
- Now press your fingers under the muscle and above collarbone.
- Hunch your shoulders and bring your elbows forward to relax the skin.
Can lymph nodes stay enlarged for years?
How do you test for lymph node cancer?
Can lymph nodes remain enlarged for years?
Following infection, lymph nodes occasionally remain permanently enlarged, though they should be non-tender, small (less the 1 cm), have a rubbery consistency and none of the characteristics described above or below.
Is it normal to have a swollen lymph node for a long time?
However, make sure to visit your doctor if you feel that the lymph nodes in your neck or armpits are protruding more than usual, are painless or have lasted longer than you would expect. Sometimes infections such as tonsillitis, ear or throat infections do require a visit to the GP if they are particularly bad.
Can you have undiagnosed lymphoma for years?
Low-Grade Lymphoma These grow so slowly that patients can live for many years mostly without symptoms, although some may experience pain from an enlarged lymph gland. After five to 10 years, low-grade disorders begin to progress rapidly to become aggressive or high-grade and produce more severe symptoms.
Can enlarged lymph nodes be benign?
Swollen lymph nodes are a sign that your immune system is fighting off infection or illness. Swollen lymph nodes are more likely to be benign than malignant. Benign means the lymph nodes don't contain cancer cells. Malignant means they do contain cancer cells.
What does it mean when you have cancer in your lymph nodes?
What Does Cancer in a Lymph Node Mean? Cancer in your lymph nodes may point to lymphoma or another blood cancer, or may be a cancer that has spread from another site. Based on the source of the cancer cells and how far away that is from the swollen nodes, your doctor will recommend a treatment plan.
Why do lymph nodes swell?
Often, swollen lymph nodes will be close to where the problem is. When you have strep throat, lymph nodes in your neck may swell. Women who have breast cancer may get swollen lymph nodes in their armpit. ...
What side of the arm is lymph nodes?
On the right side, related to the lungs and esophagus; on the left, organs in your belly. Swollen lymph nodes in your armpit when you don't have a rash or sores on your arm can also be suspect. If your doctor thinks your swollen lymph nodes could be cancer, tests and imaging can confirm the diagnosis or point to something else.
How long does it take for lymph nodes to go away?
The skin over them should not be red, irritated, or warm. And the swelling should go away within a couple of weeks. You should see your doctor if your lymph nodes appear abnormal.".
What side of the neck is cancer?
They'll want to know what medications you're taking and other symptoms you have. Swollen nodes that are close to your collarbone or the lower part of your neck when you're over 40 are more likely to be cancer. On the right side, related to the lungs and esophagus; on the left, organs in your belly. Swollen lymph nodes in your armpit ...
How long does it take for swelling to go away after a biopsy?
If these tests don't show another cause and the swollen nodes don't go away in 3-4 weeks, your doctor will probably do a biopsy. Since the swelling will often go away or another cause will be found while you're waiting to do a biopsy, the delay prevents people from getting procedures they don't need.
What type of scan is used to find lymphoma?
Based on where the cancer might be, you could get a chest X-ray, an ultrasound, a CT scan, or an MRI. A scan called FDG-PET, which stands for fluorodeoxyglucose with positron emission tomography, can help find lymphoma and other cancers. And you'll probably get a biopsy.
Signs of potentially malignant lymph nodes
Lymph nodes are always fighting off invaders, so a few cancer cells may not be enough to cause noticeable swelling. Signs that swollen lymph nodes should be examined by a doctor include:
Biopsy
The only way to know for certain if your lymph nodes are benign versus malignant is to perform a lymph node biopsy. Your doctor may recommend this if:
Single vs. generalized lymphadenopathy
There’s usually a single area of swollen lymph nodes, such as the neck, underarm, or groin. Sometimes, there are multiple areas of swollen lymph nodes, which is called generalized lymphadenopathy.
Multiple causes of swollen lymph nodes
You can have swollen lymph nodes for many reasons, such as strep throat, an ear infection, or an immune system disease.
Red flag symptoms
But the lump was growing, and I became increasingly concerned about it during a class on pathology, or the study of disease.
A CT scan leads to surgery
On the day of the scan, I saw my patients in the pediatric unit on the fourth floor of the hospital, and then I went down to radiology on the second floor. I noticed the technician making an odd face while looking at the screen during the scan, but I tried to ignore it.
Diagnosed with a rare cancer
My relief, however, was short-lived. A week later, when I went to get my stitches out, my doctor had bad news. The tumor was cancerous—and the cancer cells had spread to my lymph nodes. Later, a doctor would tell me that I had a better chance of winning the lottery than getting this type of cancer.
Recovering from cancer and a stroke
I began physical therapy while I was in the hospital, and because my arm was more affected than my leg, it didn’t take long for me to start walking again. Also, because I was only 30, my body healed somewhat quickly. I was discharged a little over a week later.
The emotional fallout
It took over a year for me to feel somewhat like myself again. Though to be honest, I don’t think I’ll ever completely feel like I did before. After residency, I moved to Washington, DC and got a master's degree in public health.
Advice from a misdiagnosed patient who is also an MD
I understand what it’s like to be a patient. I understand why patients get angry at their doctors and why they aren’t always in a good mood. I realize that I’m often seeing a patient on one of the worst days of their life, and that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s the worst day and it’s going to get better tomorrow—the next day could be even worse.