User:Mr. Ibrahem/Lymphadenopathy
| Lymphadenopathy | |
|---|---|
| Other names | Adenopathy, swollen lymph nodes, lymphadenitis |
 | |
| A CT scan of axillary lymphadenopathy in a 57-year-old man with multiple myeloma. | |
| Specialty | Infectious disease, oncology |
| Symptoms | Enlargement of lymph nodes[1] |
| Causes | Infections, autoimmune diseases, cancers, lymphoproliferative disorders, unkown[1] |
| Treatment | Based on underlying cause[1] |
| Frequency | Relatively common[2] |
Lymphadenopathy, also known as adenopathy, is the enlargement of lymph nodes.[1] This may occur in one part of the body or diffusely.[1] If the lymph node is tender there is a greater likelihood of an infectious cause and a lower likelihood of cancer.[1] Enlargement for more than 3 or 4 weeks is more concerning.[1][2]
Causes may include infections, autoimmune diseases, cancers, reactions to medications, and lymphoproliferative disorders.[1][2] Infections may be bacterial, fungal, viral, spirochetal, or protozoal.[1] Autoimmune diseases may include amyloidosis, lupus, and rheumatoid arthritis.[1] Cancers may include lymphoma, leukemia, and metastasis.[1] They cause may also remain unknown.[1] Generally in adults lymph nodes are smaller than 1 cm.[1] Diagnosis may be supported by a lymph node biopsy.[1]
Treatment depends on the underlying cause.[1] Most cases are non serious, especially in children.[1] Lymphadenopathy is relatively common.[2] Males and females are affected equally frequently.[2] Children are more commonly affected than adults.[2]