Swollen lymph glands

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.

How to Tell if Body Lumps Could be Cancer

While we tend to think the worst when we find one, most lumps are not cause for concern.

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Common Causes of Body Lumps

Lumps form on the body for many reasons, most of them harmless. While the major concern is that it could be a cancerous lump, it might also be a symptom of rheumatoid arthritis, tendonitis, or a swollen lymph node.

Lymph nodes

Lymph nodes are movable, pea-size lumps found throughout the body, but which are mostly found in the neck, groin, armpits, and behind the collarbone. Their role is to get rid of toxins and dead blood cells. When you have a cold or even a minor infection, your lymph nodes may swell because they’re being bombarded with dead cells. If the swollen gland persists or grows bigger than a pea, and stays that way for more than two weeks — or if you notice more swollen glands — it’s best to see your health care provider to have it checked.

Skin cysts

Cysts are noncancerous lumps filled with fluid, pus, or other material. They can appear anywhere and feel like small peas under the skin. Cysts can develop as a result of infection, clogged oil glands, or around foreign bodies, such as earrings. They are usually slow-growing, painless, and smooth to the touch when they are rolled under the skin. Some cysts disappear on their own without treatment. Others may need to be drained.

Other benign lumps

There are a few other reasons you may experience a lump on your body. A lump may be a symptom of a corn that is infected or inflamed, acne, or a recent injury or trauma to the skin or tissue.

When Not to Worry

If you find a lump with the following characteristics, chances are good that it is not serious:

• Soft to the touch.
• Moves and changes form with touch.
• Grows large and painful with activity and gets smaller with rest.

Common Causes of Lumps by Body Part

Lump on head

Lumps on the head are typically benign and are usually a result of an ingrown hair, folliculitis, or recent injury. Cancerous lumps will originate in areas of moist tissue, such as the throat or nose. If you experience consistent sore pain around the nose or throat, see your health care provider.

Lump on neck

A lump on the neck should be watched carefully. Your neck is home to your thyroid gland, which can form benign solid or fluid-filled lumps at the base of the neck near the collarbone. Most thyroid lumps are benign, but they can form rapidly so it is important to see your provider for regular examinations. Cancerous lumps are hard and painless. They might seem to appear overnight and grow with time. A cancerous lump may block your windpipe or create pressure in the throat or nose. See your provider immediately if you notice these kinds of symptoms.

Breast lumps

Many women find lumps in their breasts during self-examination. It’s natural to worry and think the worst because a lump or mass in the breast is the most common symptom of breast cancer. These lumps are often hard and painless, though some could be painful. Not all lumps are cancerous, though. There are a number of benign breast conditions — such as cysts — that can also cause lumps. It’s important to be aware of your body and to see your provider if you notice any changes in your breasts.

Lump under armpit

A lump occurring under the armpit may be a sign of hidradenitis suppurativa, which is a condition causing small painful lumps to form under the skin. These lumps typically occur in areas of friction like the armpit, buttocks, and groin. This condition begins with lumps that are pea-sized and painful. It can then develop into symptoms like blackheads or painful or leaking bumps, and eventually tunnels under the skin. See your provider if you are experiencing any of these symptoms.

Cancerous Lumps

Cancerous lumps have distinct characteristics and may affect different areas of the body. See your doctor if you:

• Have a hard and painless lump.
• Can feel a lump under the skin at the base of the neck.
• Have difficulty sleeping.
• Experience an irregular heart rate.

When to See Your Doctor

Call your health care provider if you find a lump and you also:

• Experience sudden weight loss.
• Have difficulty sleeping.
• Feel pressure in the throat or nose.
• Experience difficulty swallowing.
• Have a pounding heart.

Editor’s Note: This article was originally published on November 11, 2016 , and was last reviewed on April 25, 2022 .

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When you are facing cancer, you need the best care possible. UPMC Hillman Cancer Center provides world-class cancer care, from diagnosis to treatment, to help you in your cancer battle. We are the only comprehensive cancer center in our region, as designated by the National Cancer Institute. We have more than 70 locations throughout Pennsylvania, Ohio, and New York, with more than 200 oncologists – making it easier for you to find world-class care close to home. Our internationally renowned research team is striving to find new advances in prevention, detection, and treatment. Most of all, we are here for you. Our patient-first approach aims to provide you and your loved ones the care and support you need. To find a provider near you, visit our website.

Swollen lymph glands

There are a number of causes of swollen lymph glands. The most common cause is infection. See your doctor if you have swollen lymph glands and you do not know why they have swollen, or if swollen lymph glands caused by an infection do not go down again within two weeks.

In this article :

What are swollen glands?

Continue reading below

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).

Continue reading below

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.