What are swollen lymph nodes?

Swollen lymph nodes are enlarged lymph nodes, which are very small clusters of immune cells that function as part of the bodys immune system. There are more than 600 lymph nodes throughout the body, but the ones most frequently enlarged or swollen are found in the neck, under the chin, in the armpits, and in the groin. Swollen lymph nodes are also known as lymphadenitis, lymphadenopathy, swollen nodes, or swollen glands. They can occur in any age group or population, but generally occur most often in children. Your body relies on the lymphatic system to fight off germs, infections, and abnormal substances such as cancer cells. Lymph nodes are an important part of your bodys immune system. Swollen lymph nodes can result from infection, malignancy and autoimmune disorders. Swollen lymph nodes due to a viral infection often get better without treatment. However, some infections that are due to bacteria or other pathogens need medical attention. Seek prompt medical care if your lymph nodes have been swollen for more than two weeks, or are red, tender, hard, or irregular feeling, or if swelling is increasing.

What other symptoms might occur with swollen lymph nodes?

Swollen lymph nodes often occur with other symptoms that vary in severity depending on the underlying disease, disorder or condition.

Symptoms that may occur along with swollen lymph nodes

Swollen lymph nodes may occur with other symptoms including: Bleeding gums Cold or flu-like symptoms (runny nose, fatigue, fever, sore throat, headache, cough, aches and pains) Drooling Earache Genital sores (indication of syphilis) Joint pain Rash Swollen limb Tender, warm, and red lymph nodes Unexplained loss of appetite

Serious symptoms that might indicate a life-threatening condition

In some cases, swollen lymph nodes may occur with other symptoms that might indicate a serious or lifethreatening condition that should be immediately evaluated in an emergency setting. Seek immediate medical care (call 911) if you, or someone you are with, have any of these symptoms: Difficulty swallowing High fever (higher than 101 degrees Fahrenheit) Respiratory or breathing problems, such as shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, labored breathing, wheezing, not breathing, and choking Vomiting blood or black material (resembling coffee grounds)

What causes swollen lymph nodes?

The most common causes of swollen lymph nodes are viral infections, such as the common cold, and bacterial infections, such as strep throat. Immune system disorders and some types of cancer can also lead to swollen lymph nodes.

Common infectious causes of swollen lymph nodes

The more common infectious causes of swollen lymph nodes include viral and bacterial infections. Some of these conditions caused by bacteria are associated with serious and potentially life-threatening complications if they are not treated with antibiotics: Common cold (viral respiratory infection) Ear infection Infected tooth (abscessed tooth) Infected wound Influenza (flu) Measles (contagious viral infection also known as rubeola) German measles (contagious viral infection also known as rubella) Mononucleosis (viral infection) Mumps (viral infection of the salivary glands in the neck) Strep throat (bacterial throat infection) Tonsillitis (inflammation of the tonsils in the back of the throat)

Other infectious causes of swollen lymph nodes

Less common, but potentially life-threatening infectious diseases that cause swollen lymph nodes include: AIDS (caused by HIV infection) Cat scratch fever (bacterial infection from being scratched or bitten by a cat that carries the bacteria) Cellulitis (bacterial skin infection) Syphilis (sexually transmitted disease caused by bacteria) Toxoplasmosis (parasitic infection) Tuberculosis (serious infection affecting the lungs and other organs)

Other noninfectious causes of swollen lymph nodes

Swollen lymph nodes can also be caused by noninfectious disorders such as: Chronic fatigue syndrome Lymphatic obstruction (blockage in the lymph system) Sarcoidosis (inflammatory disease most commonly affecting the lungs, skin and eyes)

Autoimmune diseases that can cause swollen lymph nodes

Swollen lymph nodes can also be caused by problems with the immune system itself, such as: Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis Rheumatoid arthritis (chronic autoimmune disease characterized by joint inflammation) Systemic lupus erythematosus (disorder in which the body attacks its own healthy cells and tissues)

Cancers that can cause swollen lymph nodes

The most notable life-threatening diseases that cause swollen lymph nodes are different types of cancers including: Hodgkin lymphoma (Hodgkins disease) Leukemia Metastasized cancer that has traveled to the lymph nodes Non-Hodgkin lymphoma Oral, mouth or larynx cancer

What are the potential complications of swollen lymph nodes?

Viral infections that cause swollen lymph nodes can often be treated with self-care measure at home. The swelling will go away as your body fights off the infection. Self-care measures include rest, drinking lots of fluids, warm compresses, and over-the-counter pain relievers. For persistent or chronic swelling, redness and pain, it is important to seek medical care because these are symptoms of a possible bacterial infection. Bacterial infections will need to be treated withantibiotics and the treatment plan designed by your doctor. Left untreated, a localized bacterial infection can spread to the blood and vital organs and quickly become life threatening. In addition, untreated or poorly controlled lymphoma, leukemia, and other cancers can spread and result in loss of life. Over time, swollen lymph nodes can lead to serious complications including: Formation of an abscess Rheumatic fever (inflammatory disease that can develop as a complication of strep throat) Scarlet fever (rash caused by strep infections) Spread of cancer Spread of infection to the blood (septicemia or bacteremia) Toxic shock syndrome

Background
The lymphatic system is an important component of the immune system. It includes lymphatic fluid, lymphatic vessels, lymph nodes, spleen, tonsils, adenoids, Peyer patches, and the thymus. Lymphatic fluid consists of an ultrafiltrate of blood collected within lymphatic channels, which run throughout the entire body. The fluid is slow-moving and is transported from the head and extremities to larger vessels, which then drain into the venous system. Along these channels reside approximately 600 lymph nodes. Lymph nodes are composed of follicles and contain and abundance of lymphocytes. Lymph is filtered through the lymph node sinuses, where particulates and infectious organisms are detected and removed. Because of the exposure to immune challenges, antibody and cell-mediated immunity is mediated. As a result of such normal processes, the lymph nodes can enlarge by proliferation of normal cells or infiltration by abnormal cells. A child with an enlarged lymph node is a common situation faced by clinicians. The challenge is to satisfy the parents' fears of malignancy and to do so in a safe, timely, and cost-effective manner. Organizing the possible causes of lymphadenopathy by anatomic location and origin aids the clinician in the evaluation. In this article, a rational approach is provided to determine the etiology of the lymph node disorder, and various disorders are highlighted to consider when treating a child with lymphadenopathy. Furthermore,

various means are discussed for obtaining a tissue diagnosis when the cause of lymphadenopathy is uncertain. Next Section: History of the Procedure

History of the Procedure

The removal of lymph nodes to determine the etiology of their enlargement has been practiced for many years, but it is unknown when it was first performed. The removal of lymph nodes is a procedure that is performed by almost general adult and pediatric surgeons. Because children often present with enlarged lymph nodes, pediatric surgeons are often the ones who treat these children primarily or as a referral.