Lymphadenopathy is a swelling, or enlargement, of the lymph nodes. Swollen lymph nodes may be brought on by a variety of reasons. Some occur due to local infections, while others can appear due to systemic conditions or diseases.

Symptoms

Lymphadenopathy symptoms vary depending upon the case, patient, underlying cause, and other circumstances. Some potential symptoms may include:

Enlarged lymph nodes
Fever
Tender nodes
Warmth or redness over nodes

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Causes

Lymphadenopathy causes are numerous. A doctor should determine whether the swollen lymph nodes have anything to do with a particular condition. Some of the many potential causes include:

Bacterial infection
Cat scratch disease
Chronic infection
Hairy cell leukemia
HIV/AIDS
Hodgkin lymphoma
Human African trypanosomiasis
Infectious mononucleosis
Neuroblastoma
Non-Hodgkin lymphoma
Parasitic disease
Toxoplasmosis
Tuberculous lymphadenitis
Tumors
Tumor metastasis
Viral infection
Virchow's node

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Diagnosis

Lymphadenopathy diagnosis is to be made by a doctor or medical professional. The presence of a possible underlying cause, like particular infections, may assist in diagnosing the case. Physical examinations and medical history may also be used. A lymph node biopsy is one possible diagnostic tool. Additional tests may be taken in order to discover whether any particular diseases or infections are present. Details such as the size, location, length of time of the swelling, and whether there is pain may also be beneficial when attempting to determine the cause.

Treatment

Lymphadenopathy treatment varies based upon the case, underlying cause, the individual patient, and other factors. Possible treatment methods may include:

Antibiotics (bacterial infections)
Medications
Further evaluation
Symptomatic treatment

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