Cancer Lymphoma The Causes of Enlarged Lymph Nodes By Indranil Mallick, MD twitter linkedin Indranil Mallick, MD, DNB, is a radiation oncologist with a special interest in lymphoma. Learn about our editorial process Indranil Mallick, MD Medically reviewed by Medically reviewed by Douglas A. Nelson, MD on November 22, 2020 linkedin Douglas A. Nelson, MD, is a board-certified oncologist and hematologist who previously served for 13 years as a physician in the US Air Force. Learn about our Medical Review Board Douglas A. Nelson, MD Updated on February 21, 2021 Print Lymph nodes (also called lymph glands) are small oval structures scattered all over the body. Lymph nodes contain white blood cells (WBCs), and especially the WBCs known as lymphocytes. Different types of lymphocytes grow and mature inside a lymph node, and these immune cells help the body fight infections. Lymph nodes are a part of the lymph system of the body. skynesher / Vetta / Getty Images Lymph nodes are connected to each other by lymph channels called the lymphatics—small tubes (like blood vessels)—through which lymph fluid, as well as proteins and other substances, moves from one part of the body to another. Lymph nodes in different parts of the body are named differently Cervical lymph nodes—lymph nodes in the neckAxillary lymph nodes—lymph nodes in the armpitsMediastinal lymph nodes—nodes inside the chest, near the heartInguinal lymph nodes—those in the groinRetroperitoneal and mesenteric lymph nodes—lymph nodes in different parts of the abdomenPelvic lymph nodes—lymph nodes in the pelvis When lymph nodes increase in size, they are called enlarged lymph nodes. When enlarged nodes can be felt by the doctor (in areas like the neck, armpits, and groin) they are called palpable lymph nodes. More on Enlarged Nodes Lymph nodes can increase in size in a number of conditions. Infections, cancer, and many immune diseases can affect lymph cells and cause an enlargement of lymph nodes. Enlarged lymph nodes are often the first sign of lymphoma, a cancer of lymph cells. But all enlarged lymph nodes are not lymphoma. Enlarged lymph nodes should not be ignored. However, since there are many non-cancerous causes of lymph node enlargement, doctors rarely go straight to a lymph node biopsy right away, when an enlarged node is detected. You should feel free to bring to your doctor's attention any odd lumps or bumps—and many common bumps turn out not to be lymph nodes at all. If you do have palpable lymph nodes, your doctor is trained to track down the most likely reasons first. Upper respiratory infections, for instance, are among the most common causes of swollen lymph nodes, such as those that might be palpated in the neck. Even when the reason for an enlarged lymph node is not immediately obvious to the doctor, it is not uncommon to wait and see if the swelling goes away on its own, after a brief period, before investigating further. However, a persistently enlarged node needs to be evaluated. What Kinds of Things Cause Swollen Lymph Nodes? Here is an old memory device that some doctors may still recall. Hodgkin lymphoma is just one possibility, but it serves as the skeleton for this mnemonic. It doesn't cover everything, but it is useful for thinking about diseases associated with lymphadenopathy, or swollen lymph nodes. Generalized lymphadenopathy means there are more than two nodes involved from different areas. As you can see, there are many possible causes: H. Hematologic: Hodgkin disease, leukemia, and non-Hodgkin lymphoma O. Oncologic: Metastasis to lymph node, malignant melanoma D. Dermatopathic lymphadenitis: swollen lymph nodes that drain a patch of skin that has been disrupted or irritated G. Gaucher’s disease: a rare genetic disease K. Kawasaki’s disease: a rare autoimmune disease involving the blood vessels and inflammation I. Infections: bacterial, viral, and parasitic N. Niemann–pick disease: a genetic disease that involves metabolism S. Serum sickness: an immune response to certain medications or treatments D. Drug reaction: response to certain drugs I. Immunological disease: for example, rheumatoid arthritis and lupus S. Sarcoidosis: an inflammatory disease that can affect different parts of the body E. Endocrine: hyperthyroidism A. Angioimmunoblastic lymphadenopathy: this is an old term; currently considered a lymphoma. S. Systemic lupus erythematosus (lupus, or SLE) E. Eosinophilic granulomatosis: a systemic disease involving allergic and inflammatory manifestations Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Limiting processed foods and red meats can help ward off cancer risk. These recipes focus on antioxidant-rich foods to better protect you and your loved ones. Sign up and get your guide! Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit Article Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Cheson BD, Fisher RI, Barrington SF et al. Recommendations for initial evaluation, staging and response assessment of Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin lymphoma: the Lugano Classification. J Clin Oncol. 2014;32(27)3059-3068. doi:10.1200/JCO.2013.54.8800 Barrington SF, Mikhaeel NG, Kostakoglu L, et al. Role of imaging in the staging and response assessment of lymphoma: consensus of the International Conference on Malignant Lymphomas Imaging Working Group. J Clin Oncol. 2014;32(27):3048-358. doi:10.1200/JCO.2013.53.5229 Mohseni S, Shojaiefard A, Khorgami Z, Alinejad S, Ghorbani A, Ghafouri A. Peripheral lymphadenopathy: approach and diagnostic tools. Iran J Med Sci. 2014;39(2 Suppl):158-70.