Should I Worry About Swollen Lymph Nodes?
Lindsay Knake
| 3 min read
Lindsay Knake is a brand journalist and project planner for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan. She previously worked in higher education and for The Saginaw News and Ann Arbor News.
A swollen lymph in your neck could seem concerning; is it a sign of cancer?
Pain or tenderness in a swollen lymph node is usually a sign of an infection that typically clears up in a few days. While it’s unlikely to signal cancer, that can happen. Here’s more about your lymph nodes, what causes swelling and when to seek treatment.
What are lymph nodes?
Lymph nodes are part of the lymph system, which runs throughout your body. It is made up of more than 600small lymph nodes, vessels and organs. This system is an essential part of your immune system, according to the Mayo Clinic.
How does it work? It deals with lymph, a fluid that leaks from blood vessels andcontains damaged cells, foreign substances,proteins and minerals. The lymph fluid moves into your lymph nodes, which trap viruses, bacteria, damaged cellsand foreign substances, per the Mayo Clinic. Cleaned lymph fluid moves through the lymphatic system and then in your bloodstream again.
While there are lymph nodes throughout your body, according to the National Library of Medicine, many you can feel are in:
- The front, side and back of your neck
- Behind your ears
- Under your jaw and chin
- Armpit
- Chest
In these spots, pea- or kidney bean-sized lymph nodes can swell when they are fighting off a harmful foreign substance. The most common cause of swollen lymph nodes are infections such as
- Colds, flu and respiratory illnesses
- Ear infection
- Gingivitis
- Mononucleosis
- Tonsillitis
- Sexually transmitted illness
- Strep throat
Flu, COVID and RSV vaccines may also lead to swollen lymph nodes, which will subside in a few days.
More serious conditions that can cause swollen lymph nodes include:
- Leukemia, a cancer that starts in the body's blood-forming tissue
- Hodgkin disease, a cancer that starts in the lymph system
- Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma, another cancer of the lymph system
- Many other cancers, as cancer most often spreads first to nearby lymph nodes
- Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)
- Rheumatoid arthritis
Cancer or another serious health condition rarely causes of swollen lymph nodes compared to common infections, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
Should I worry about swollen lymph nodes in my neck?
To feel lymph nodes, press gently on your skin around in the areas where there are lymph nodes and move your fingers in a circular motion. A healthy lymph node typically feels soft or squishy and moves under your fingers when you press on it.
Swollen lymph nodes, on the other hand, can feel puffy, tender or even painful. Pain or tenderness in a swollen lymph node is usually a sign of an infection, and this will clear up in a few days. If you have an infection such as the flu and notice swollen lymph nodes, especially in your neck or chest, you can keep track to see if they return to their normal size in the days and weeks following the illness.
Talk to your primary care provider (PCP) if you notice the following symptoms:
- Lymph nodes stay enlarged for two weeks or longer
- Lymph nodes continue to get larger
- Redness and tenderness around your lymph nodes
- Lymph nodes are swollen without pain
- Lymph nodes feel hard, rubbery or stuck in place
- Swollen lymph nodes are accompanied by fever, night sweats and/or unexplained weight loss
- A child’s lymph node is larger than 1 centimeter in diameter
Your PCP may order blood tests, screenings such as CT scans or a biopsy depending on your symptoms.
Photo credit: Getty Images
