Swollen lymph glands

What are lymph glands?

Detail of lymph gland names

Small lymph glands (also called lymph nodes) are found all throughout the body. Lymph glands that are near each other often form into groups or chains. Examples of where lymph glands group together are the sides of the neck, the armpits and the groins. The diagram shows the main groups of lymph glands in the head and neck. However, lymph glands occur in many other places in the body.

Lymph glands are joined together by a network of lymph channels. Lymph is a fluid that forms between the cells of the body. This watery fluid travels in the lymph channels, through various lymph glands, and eventually drains into the bloodstream.

Lymph and lymph glands are major parts of the immune system. They contain white blood cells (lymphocytes) and antibodies that defend the body against infection.

What causes swollen lymph glands?

Lymph glands are normally pea-sized. You can sometimes feel them as lumps under the skin. People often feel their lymph glands in the neck. Lymph glands under the skin become more noticeable and easier to feel if they swell. They can swell to the size of marbles or even bigger.

You cannot see or feel lymph glands that are deeper in the chest or tummy (abdomen) but they may be uncomfortable or tender.

Causes of swollen lymph glands include the following:

Infection - the common cause

The lymph glands near to an infection swell quickly and become tender as the immune system 'fights off' infecting germs (bacteria, viruses, etc). The lymph glands usually go back to their normal pea size when the infection is over. It can take a week or so for them gradually to go back to normal after the infection. Tender, swollen lymph glands are usually a sign that your body is fighting off an infection. Examples of infections include the following:

• Throat infections, tonsillitis, the common cold (one type of upper respiratory infection) and tooth-related infections may cause lymph glands in the neck to swell.

• Scalp skin conditions or even head lice may cause the lymph glands at the back of the head to swell.

• Skin infections of the arm may cause lymph glands in the armpit to swell.

• Infections of the leg or genitals, or nappy rash, may cause lymph glands in the groin to swell.

• Viral infections such as flu (influenza), chickenpox or glandular fever (infectious mononucleosis) affect the whole body. You may then develop swollen lymph glands in various parts of the body such as the neck, armpit and groins.

Cancers, lymphomas and leukaemias - the less common causes

Some cells from a cancer can break off and spread (metastasise) to nearby lymph glands via the lymph channels. These cancer cells then grow and multiply in the lymph glands and cause the glands to swell. For example:

• Breast cancer may spread to the lymph glands in the armpit.

• Throat cancer may spread to lymph glands in the neck.

• Lung and stomach cancers may spread to lymph glands that you usually cannot see or feel in the chest and abdomen.

• Skin cancers may spread first to the closest lymph glands to the area of skin involved.

• Cancer of the lymphatic and blood systems (non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, Hodgkin's lymphoma and leukaemias) can cause many lymph glands to swell.

As a rule, swollen lymph glands due to cancers, lymphomas and leukaemias develop more slowly than those due to infections. They also tend to be painless at first.

Other less common causes

Rarely, swollen lymph glands can be due to causes such as:

• Reactions to certain medicines.

• Operative dental work.

• Glycogen storage disorders.

• Sarcoidosis.

• Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

• Certain forms of arthritis, such as rheumatoid arthritis.

• Less common infections, such as HIV, Kawasaki disease and tuberculosis (TB).

How to treat swollen lymph glands

The treatment depends on the cause. Swollen lymph glands are like a marker of various conditions, all with different outlooks and treatments. So, for example, the common cause is due to a viral infection. In this case, no treatment is needed: the lymph glands will go back to normal after a week or so. However, swollen lymph glands caused by a cancer, lymphoma or leukaemia may need extensive treatment of the underlying problem.

What should I do if I find swollen lymph glands?

Swollen lymph glands due to viral infections are very common. It's normal to get these with an infection - they're a sign that your body is fighting it off. For example, swelling of neck lymph glands may go up and down if you have frequent throat infections. This is of little concern. However, you should see your doctor if your lymph glands have not gone down after two weeks.

Swollen lymph glands are more of a concern if there is no apparent reason for them to swell. Tell your doctor if:

• You find swollen lymph glands and you do not know why they have swollen. For example, you do not have an infection to cause them to swell.

• You find swollen lymph glands just above or just below your collar bone (clavicle). Swollen glands in this area are more likely to suggest a cause for concern.

• You have swollen lymph glands that have been there for two weeks or longer.