Swollen Lymph Glands (cont.)
IN THIS ARTICLE
- Swollen Lymph Nodes Overview
- Swollen Lymph Nodes Causes
- Swollen Lymph Nodes Symptoms
- When to Seek Medical Care
- Exams and Tests
- Swollen Lymph Nodes Treatment
- Self-Care at Home
- Medical Treatment
- Next Steps
- Outlook
- Synonyms and Keywords
- Authors and Editors
- Viewer Comments: Swollen Lymph Nodes - Describe Your Diagnosis
Swollen Lymph Nodes Causes
Several mechanisms can cause the lymph nodes to enlarge.
- Infection: This can increase the number of white blood cells, which multiply in response to stimulation with a foreign substance (antigen)
- Virus: Immune reaction to a generalized infection in the body such as viral infections that can occur with the common cold as well as more serious infections such as HIV
- Inflammation: Infiltration with inflammatory cells during infection or inflammation in a region of a given lymph node
- Cancer: Infiltration with malignant cells (metastases) brought to the node with the lymph flowing from an area of a certain type of cancer
- Cancer of the Blood: Uncontrolled, malignant multiplication of lymphocytes as in lymphoma or leukemia
Next: Swollen Lymph Nodes Symptoms »
Viewer Comments & Reviews
Swollen Lymph Nodes - Describe Your Diagnosis
The eMedicineHealth physician editors ask:
Please describe your diagnosis of swollen lymph nodes.
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Lymph Node Disorders »
Lymph nodes are considered to be the fortresses that aid immunologic defense.
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