Lumps in the neck: how to recognize a cancerous lymph node and when to worry?

What are the lymph nodes for?

But when the body is faced with an external attack of bacterial or viral origin, the lymph nodes change roles to become true ramparts against the invader. Their role is to retain the pathogenic loads that attempt to colonize the body: the presence of lymph nodes simultaneously releases the white blood cells responsible for immune defense. To be able to store the immune defenses, they will have to increase in volume. This is a swelling of the lymph nodes that is called adenopathy.

What is the normal size of a lymph node?

A lymph node is normally oval in shape, painless, and without associated signs of inflammation. In cases of lymphadenopathy, a lymph node in the neck may be swollen up to 1.5 centimeters in diameter, tender and/or painful to the touch, as well as when swallowing saliva.

Causes: Why do lymph nodes in the neck swell?

The cervical region is particularly rich in lymph node chains, especially in the neck, on both sides, or under the jaw. In the event of an infection of the ENT sphere, it is therefore not uncommon to see swelling of this type of lymph node.

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