Lymph Nodes, Enlarged

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KEY POINTS

• Lymph nodes are small, bean-shaped organs. They are part of the lymph system and can be found in groups or just one by itself. The lymph system is part of your body's system for fighting infection. The nodes get bigger when they fight germs like bacteria or viruses. Rarely, cancer can cause lymph nodes to swell.
• Treatment is not always needed, but when it is, the treatment depends on why the nodes are enlarged.
• Ask your healthcare provider what symptoms or problems you should watch for and what to do if you have them.

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What are lymph nodes?

Lymph nodes are small, bean-shaped organs. They are part of the lymph system and can be found in groups or just one by itself. The lymph system is part of your body's system for fighting infection. The lymph system consists of lymph nodes that store blood cells (lymphocytes) to fight infection and vessels that carry fluid, nutrients, and wastes between your body and your bloodstream. You have lymph nodes in your neck, armpits, groin, and in other places in your body. When the nodes get bigger (enlarged), you may notice lumps in your neck, armpits, or groin.

Lymph nodes are also called lymph glands even though they are not really glands.

What causes enlarged lymph nodes?

The nodes get bigger when they fight germs such as bacteria and viruses. Rarely, they become enlarged because of cancer. For example, they may become enlarged because of:

• Infection in the part of the body near the swollen nodes, such as infected sores and wounds
• Infections such as colds, flu, sore throat, strep throat, ear infections, mononucleosis, and tuberculosis
• Diseases such as Hodgkin's disease and other types of cancer

Once the lymph nodes become enlarged, they often do not completely go back to their normal size for many weeks. It is not unusual, for example, to feel enlarged lymph nodes in the groin because of a previous injury to the legs, such as a stubbed toe or skinned knee.

What are the symptoms?

The symptoms of enlarged lymph nodes may include:

• One or more swollen lumps
• Tenderness when the nodes are touched
• Nodes that are hard and not movable

Talk to your healthcare provider if:

• Your nodes get larger instead of smaller
• They are tender and red
• They are fixed in place, hard, or irregular
• You have night sweats, unexpected weight loss, or fever
• You find nodes in your child

How is it diagnosed?

Lymph nodes that are swollen for more than a couple of weeks should be checked by your healthcare provider. Your healthcare provider will ask about your symptoms and medical history and examine you.

You may have:

• Blood tests
• Lymph node biopsy, which is the removal of a small sample of tissue for testing
• Chest X-ray, which is a picture of the inside of your chest to check for lymph nodes
• CT scan, which uses X-rays and a computer to show detailed pictures of the liver and spleen

How are they treated?

Treatment is not always needed, but when it is, the treatment depends on why the nodes are enlarged.

How can I take care of myself?

Follow your healthcare provider’s instructions. Ask your provider:

• How long it will take to recover
• If there are activities you should avoid and when you can return to your normal activities
• How to take care of yourself at home
• What symptoms or problems you should watch for and what to do if you have them

Make sure you know when you should come back for a checkup.