The characteristics of infected lymph nodes and cancer do have similarities, but other symptoms can be different. Therefore, it is important to recognize the characteristics of problematic lymph nodes, either due to infection or cancer, so that these abnormalities can be recognized early.
Lymph nodes are part of the lymphatic system that functions to fight germs, viruses, and parasites that cause infection, eradicate cancer cells, and destroy toxic substances that enter the body. These glands are scattered in various parts of the body, such as the neck, armpits, chest, and abdomen.
However, the lymph nodes can sometimes become diseased. In general, there are two diseases that are quite common in the lymph nodes, namely infection and lymph cancer. Sometimes, the two diseases can be difficult to distinguish because they share some of the same signs and symptoms.
So, what are the characteristics of infected and cancerous lymph nodes? Let's see the difference in the following discussion.
Characteristics of Infected Lymph Nodes
The characteristics of infected lymph nodes are generally characterized by swollen lymph nodes. This usually appears in the form of lumps in certain body parts, for example in the neck, armpits, and groin. These lumps can be soft and painful to the touch.
In addition to the appearance of lumps, lymph node infections can also cause other symptoms, such as:
- Fever
- Cough
- Sore throat
- Sweating at night
- Have a cold
- Body feels weak
Swollen lymph nodes caused by infection can be caused by certain diseases, such as ear infections, ARI, and glandular TB.
When the infection is resolved, lumps or swollen lymph nodes will usually disappear. However, if the swelling of the lymph nodes due to infection does not improve within a few days or the lump seems to be getting bigger and more painful, then the condition needs to be treated immediately by a doctor.
Characteristics of Lymph Nodes That Have Cancer
Cancer cells in the lymph nodes can arise from the nodes themselves or arise due to the spread of cancer cells from other organs (metastasis). Cancer that arises from the lymph nodes is known as lymphoma. Lymphoma is divided into 2 types, namely Hodgkin's lymphoma and Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.
As with infected lymph nodes, the characteristics of cancerous lymph nodes, both Hodgkin's lymphoma and Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, are the appearance of lumps due to swollen lymph nodes.
The difference is, lumps caused by cancer are often painless and hard to the touch. In addition, lymph node cancer can also cause the following symptoms:
- Body feels weak all the time
- Fever
- Itchy skin
- Sweating at night
- Hard to breathe
- Weight loss for no apparent reason
Lymph cancer is a dangerous condition that needs to be treated by a doctor. To treat lymph node cancer in patients, doctors will usually give chemotherapy drugs and other treatment steps in the form of radiotherapy and surgery.
Treatment of lymph node cancer will generally be adjusted to the severity or stage of the cancer suffered by the patient, as well as the patient's overall condition.
If you experience swollen lymph nodes, especially if there are other symptoms that have been mentioned previously, you should see a doctor for this condition. This is because the characteristics of lymph nodes affected by infection or cancer can often be similar and difficult to distinguish.
To diagnose the disease and determine whether your swollen lymph nodes are caused by infection or cancer, the doctor will perform a series of examinations consisting of a physical examination, blood tests, biopsies, and radiological examinations, such as CT scan or MRI.
After that, the doctor will provide the right treatment according to the cause of the swollen lymph nodes you are experiencing.