A lymph node swollen for years often stems from a past infection that never fully subsided, chronic inflammation, or an autoimmune condition, but can, rarely, indicate a slow-growing cancer like lymphoma; it's crucial to see a doctor for proper evaluation, especially if the node is hard, growing, painless, or accompanied by other symptoms, to rule out serious causes like lymphoma or melanoma.
Dr. Ree says most lymph nodes will only stay swollen for a few days. There is an exception though. “Sometimes lymph nodes can calcify and stay enlarged for life in some people,” he says.
About lymph node swelling
Lymph nodes commonly swell if we have an infection but they usually go back to normal over a short time. With lymphoma, the lymph nodes often grow slowly and may be there for months or years before they're noticed. But sometimes they grow very quickly. Usually, the swollen nodes don't hurt.
Early-stage cancer in neck lymph nodes often presents as a painless, firm lump or swelling in the neck, which grows slowly, unlike infections that are usually tender and temporary. Other signs can include general symptoms like fatigue, night sweats, unexplained weight loss, fever, and sometimes a persistent sore throat, mouth sores, or numbness, depending on the cancer type (e.g., head/neck vs. lymphoma).
Kids get swollen lymph nodes (glands) mainly because their immune systems are actively fighting infections from viruses (like colds, flu, mono) or bacteria (like strep throat), causing nodes in the neck, armpits, or groin to swell as they filter germs. Because children encounter many new germs, their nodes are often active and palpable, and might stay swollen for months after an infection clears. Less commonly, causes can include skin infections, autoimmune conditions, certain medications, or rarely, cancer.
However, cancer-related lymph node swelling typically feels firm and painless, persists beyond 2 weeks, and may appear in multiple locations. Unlike infection-related swelling that feels tender and warm, cancerous nodes remain painless and continue growing over time.
Red flags for swollen lymph nodes needing medical attention include nodes that are hard, fixed (don't move), growing larger, appear without infection, persist over 2-4 weeks, or are accompanied by fever, night sweats, unexplained weight loss, persistent cough, or fatigue, especially if located above the collarbone or in the armpit.
What Are Some Common Symptoms Associated With Having CLL? Enlarged lymph nodes. These lumps that are often first felt in the neck or throat area can be painless at first. But they can also grow to become very enlarged and painful, which can mean it is time to begin a new treatment.
Warning signs of lymphoma often include painless swelling of lymph nodes (neck, armpit, groin), persistent fatigue, unexplained fever, and drenching night sweats, alongside weight loss, persistent itching, cough, or shortness of breath. Other signs can involve easy bruising, frequent infections, or abdominal pain/swelling, but these symptoms can also signal other conditions, so seeing a doctor for a proper diagnosis is crucial.
Often, enlarged lymph nodes near a cancer are assumed to contain cancer. The only way to know whether there is cancer in a lymph node is to do a biopsy. Doctors may remove lymph nodes or take samples of one or more nodes using needles.
Palpable supraclavicular, popliteal, and iliac nodes, and epitrochlear nodes greater than 5 mm, are considered abnormal. Hard or matted lymph nodes may suggest malignancy or infection.
With lymphoma, you can itch anywhere on your body, but it's common on the lower legs, hands, feet, torso (between waist and shoulders), or near affected lymph nodes, often worsening at night and without a typical rash, feeling deep and unrelieved by scratching. This itchiness is caused by immune chemicals (cytokines) irritating nerve endings, and can be a symptom of both Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
People with warning signs and those with widespread lymph node swelling should have a complete blood count and chest x-ray. Doctors may also test for tuberculosis, HIV infection, and mononucleosis. Sometimes blood tests are needed to detect toxoplasmosis and syphilis.
Low-Grade Lymphoma
These grow so slowly that patients can live for many years mostly without symptoms, although some may experience pain from an enlarged lymph gland. After five to 10 years, low-grade disorders begin to progress rapidly to become aggressive or high-grade and produce more severe symptoms.
Do not be alarmed if you feel a lymph node (especially if it is tender) as it may be due to an infection, but if it has not reduced in size in a week, contact your doctor or clinical nurse specialist.
Antibiotics or antivirals to treat the underlying infection. Home remedies including pain relievers, fever reducing medicine and warm compresses. Draining a localized point of infection. Treatment of underlying autoimmune conditions that often cause lymph node swelling.
Common symptoms of having lymphoma include swelling of lymph nodes in your neck, in your armpits or your groin. This is often but not always painless and often could be associated with fevers, or unexplained weight loss, or drenching night sweats, sometimes chills, persistent fatigue.
The most common symptom of cancer in the lymph nodes is that 1 or more lymph nodes become swollen or feel hard. But if there are only a few cancer cells in the lymph nodes, you may not notice any changes. If the swollen lymph nodes are deep inside the chest or tummy (abdomen), you will not be able to see or feel them.
How patients described their first signs of lymphoma
Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is often a silent disease during the initial stages, with many patients having no noticeable symptoms. CLL is commonly detected by accident when routine blood testing reveals an elevated lymphocyte count (lymphocytosis).
Blood tests
There isn't a blood test that will show whether or not you have lymphoma. But blood tests can check your general health and can sometimes pick up problems caused by lymphoma. Blood tests can check: how well your liver and kidneys are working.
Leukemia symptoms vary, depending on the type of leukemia. Common leukemia signs and symptoms include: Fever or chills. Persistent fatigue, weakness.
Stony-hard nodes are typically a sign of cancer, usually metastatic. Very firm, rubbery nodes suggest lymphoma. Softer nodes are the result of infections or inflammatory conditions.
NHL most often affects adults, but children can get it too. See Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma in Children. NHL usually starts in lymph nodes or other lymph tissue, but it can sometimes affect the skin.