Swollen Lymph Nodes (cont.)
How are swollen lymph nodes treated?
There is no specific treatment for swollen lymph nodes.
Generally, the underlying cause needs to be treated, which may result in the
resolution of the
swollen lymph node.
Treating an infection causing the swollen lymph node,
for example, will result in the lymph node swelling to subside. If the swollen
lymph node is due to a cancer of the lymph node (lymphoma), then the swelling will shrink after
treating the lymphoma.
When should I see the doctor for swollen lymph nodes?
If swollen lymph nodes are associated with fevers, night sweats, or weight
loss, and the patient does not have any obvious infection, he/she may need a through
evaluation by a doctor.
Also, people who were appropriately treated for an infection but have
persistent swollen lymph nodes may need to see their doctor.
If a patient has a known cancer, or were treated for one in the past and
he/she notices
new lymph nodes in the general area of the cancer, he/she may need to notify a
physician.
What are the common lymph nodes that may get swollen?
There are many adult lymph nodes in varying parts of the
body that may become swollen for different reasons. Many people can usually see
swollen lymph nodes on the neck, behind the ear, under the jaw, above the collar bone, under the
arms, and around the groin.
Swollen lymph nodes on the side of the neck or under jaw
are the most common. They may represent an infection around that area, such as a
tooth infection or abscess, throat infection, viral illness, or upper respiratory infection. Most
of the causes of swollen lymph nodes in this area are benign; however,
sometimes, swelling of these lymph nodes may also suggest a cancer in the head
and neck area.
Swollen lymph nodes behind the ear may correspond to an infection around the
scalp or possibly a conjunctival (eye) infection.
The lymph nodes in the underarm (axilla) are anatomically important in breast
cancer. They are often checked physically in patients undergoing investigation
for breast cancer. They also play an important role in staging (determining the
extent ) and prognosticating (predicting the outcome) of breast cancer during
removal of the cancer tissue from the breast. These lymph nodes can also become
reactive and enlarge due to a trauma to or an infection of the arm on the same
side.
Enlarged lymph nodes above the collar bone
(supraclavicular lymphadenopathy) are always considered to be abnormal. These
generally suggest a cancer of or an infection in the region close by. Examples
of these may include lung infection, lung cancer, lymphoma in the chest cavity,
or breast cancer. Occasionally more distant cancers may seed these lymph nodes,
such as genital cancers or colon cancer. Some benign causes of the swollen lymph
nodes above the collar bone (clavicle) can include tuberculosis or sarcoidosis.
Swollen lymph nodes in the groin may be normal in young
people as mentioned earlier. However, they could also result from some sexually
transmitted diseases, genital cancers, or infections of the lower extremity
(legs) on the
same side.
Next: What are the complications of swollen lymph nodes? »
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