Swollen Lymph Nodes
I wish I knew swollen lymph nodes were a symptom of cancer. I had 1 swollen lymph node in my armpit 4 weeks before I discovered my deformed breast and another very large lymph node in the same armpit 2 weeks after that. I thought it was an ingrown hair from shaving which was normal for me. Although most of the time they are just an infection not cancer related, the cancer’s 1st place it spreads to is the lymph node system which in turn allows it to spread anywhere in the body.
When there’s a problem near a lymph node, such as infection, injury, or cancer, the node or the group of lymph nodes in that area may swell or enlarge as they work to filter out the “bad” cells. This may be called lymphadenopathy (limf-ad-uh-NOP-uh-thee). Swollen lymph nodes tell you that something is not right, but other symptoms help pinpoint the problem. For instance, ear pain, fever, and enlarged lymph nodes near your ear are clues that you may have an ear infection or cold.
These are not to be ignored. Be sure to have your doctor have a look see.
I wish I knew swollen lymph nodes were a symptom of cancer. I had 1 swollen lymph node in my armpit 4 weeks before I discovered my deformed breast and another very large lymph node in the same armpit 2 weeks after that. I thought it was an ingrown hair from shaving which was normal for me. Although most of the time they are just an infection not cancer related, the cancer’s 1st place it spreads to is the lymph node system which in turn allows it to spread anywhere in the body.
When there’s a problem near a lymph node, such as infection, injury, or cancer, the node or the group of lymph nodes in that area may swell or enlarge as they work to filter out the “bad” cells. This may be called lymphadenopathy (limf-ad-uh-NOP-uh-thee). Swollen lymph nodes tell you that something is not right, but other symptoms help pinpoint the problem. For instance, ear pain, fever, and enlarged lymph nodes near your ear are clues that you may have an ear infection or cold.
These are not to be ignored. Be sure to have your doctor have a look see.