Reasons for slightly enlarged lymph nodes

There are many lymphocytes in our body. Many people have had enlarged lymph nodes. Because the degree of damage caused to the body by lymph nodes in different locations is different, when enlarged lymph nodes occur, you must go to the hospital for examination and treatment. When enlarged lymph nodes are serious, they will threaten the patient's life. So what are the reasons for enlarged lymph nodes?

First, what are the reasons for slightly enlarged lymph nodes? It is caused by inflammation of the lymph nodes. One is a non-specific infection, such as tonsillitis. The other is a specific infection, the most common of which is tuberculosis of the cervical lymph nodes. Caused by malignant tumors. One is that the lymph node itself develops a tumor. The characteristics of lymphoma are that it is painless and itchy to the touch, its location is fixed, and its texture is hard. One is a metastatic tumor, where a malignant tumor from elsewhere metastasizes to the lymph nodes. If the lymph nodes are not painful or itchy to the touch and have poor mobility, they may be malignant tumors. It is recommended to seek medical attention as soon as possible.

Second, malignant lymphoma. It can occur at any age. The lymph nodes are usually painless and progressive, ranging in size from soybeans to dates, and are of medium hardness. Generally, there is no adhesion to the skin, and they do not fuse with each other in the early and middle stages, so they are movable. In the later stages, the lymph nodes may grow very large or fuse into large masses with a diameter of more than 20 cm, invading the skin and taking a long time to heal after rupturing. In addition, it can invade the mediastinum, liver, spleen and other organs, including the lungs, digestive tract, bones, skin, breast, nervous system, etc.

Third, lymph node metastasis. This type of lymph node is very hard, non-tender, and immobile. Especially in patients with gastric cancer and esophageal cancer, enlarged lymph nodes above the clavicle can be felt. Rarely, there is generalized lymphadenopathy. Breast cancer patients should frequently palpate the axillary lymph nodes to determine whether the tumor has metastasized.

What causes slightly enlarged lymph nodes? Acute leukemia and chronic lymphocytic leukemia. The lymph node enlargement of leukemia is systemic, but it is most obvious in the neck, armpits, and groin, especially in acute lymphocytic leukemia, which is common in children. Clinically, the disease develops rapidly, often accompanied by fever, bleeding, hepatomegaly and splenomegaly, sternal tenderness, etc. Hematological and bone marrow puncture examinations can confirm the diagnosis and differentiation.