Why you shouldn’t panic when your lymph nodes swell
Whether it’s a run-of-the-mill virus or a sign of cancer, swollen lymph nodes indicate that your body’s built-in defense system is kicking into gear.
“Lymph nodes are small tissues that swell when your body fights illnesses,” says Dr. Teresa M. Chirayil, a family medicine physician at Advocate Health Care. “They act as filters by clearing out germs and waste from your body.”
You might have swollen lymph nodes if you feel a bump under the skin that is tender to the touch.
Swelling of the lymph nodes is often a reaction to an upper respiratory infection, but it can have many causes – including cancer. However, Dr. Chirayil reassures that swollen lymph nodes as a result of cancer isn’t that common.
“In the primary care setting, only about 1.1% of swollen lymph node cases end up as cancer diagnoses,” she says. “This percentage can increase after a certain age and with other risk factors, but patients shouldn’t panic. A lot of times swollen lymph nodes are a sign of regular infections or illnesses.”
In fact, the swelling of lymph nodes is a good thing. It’s a sign your body is having a normal immune response and fighting invading viruses and bacteria.
While the possibility of a cancer diagnosis isn’t entirely out of the question, there are some preventive measures you can take to reduce your cancer risk, like focusing on maintaining a healthy weight, limiting tobacco and alcohol use, and prioritizing a healthy diet.
Risk factors and symptoms that may increase your risk of developing swollen lymph nodes as a result of cancer:
- Older than 40 years old
- Male
- White
- Swollen lymph nodes above the collarbone (supraclavicular)
- Unexplained weight loss
- Night sweats
- Fever
If you have concerns about the reasoning behind your swollen lymph nodes, talk to your primary care provider.
