Increased cervical lymph nodes may be a sign of infection or inflammation near the neck or even infections that are spread throughout the body.
Lymph nodes store and produce white blood cells, defense cells that fight infection and disease. So they can grow in size and stay sore when there is some infection, because they are reacting to invading microorganisms.
Cervical lymphadenopathy (enlargement of the neck lymph nodes) is mainly caused by infections of the upper airways, infections of the oral cavity and pharynx and for infectious mononucleosis, a disease caused by the Epstein-Barr virus, also known as "kissing disease."
When enlarged cervical lymph nodes are located in the anterior neck, the cause may be infections of the head and neck or mononucleosis syndrome, mainly caused by the Epstein-Barr virus, but which is also related to cytomegalovirus and toxoplasmosis.
Cervical lymph nodes increased in part posterior aspect of the neck may be due to:
- Infectious mononucleosis ("kissing disease");
- Lymph node tuberculosis;
- Lymphoma;
- Kikuchi's disease;
- Malignant tumor in the head or neck.
The presence of multiple increased cervical lymph nodes may be a sign of:
- Streptococcal or staphylococcal infection;
- Metastasis of tumors located in the head and neck;
- Cat scratching disease;
- Tuberculosis;
- Atypical mycobacteriosis.
The main cause of cervical lymphadenopathy in children and adolescents up to 14 years old are the inflammatory processes. As children do not yet have a well-developed immune system, cervical lymph nodes become enlarged when they come in contact with viruses and bacteria. In these cases, the lymph nodes are small and appear on both sides of the neck.
We adults, from adolescence, the risk of enlarged cervical lymph nodes is related to malignant diseases, like lymphoma, is larger.
In people with more than 50 years, the presence of cervical lymphadenopathy may be a sign of cancer in the mouth, pharynx, larynx, or esophagus.
Cervical lymph nodes that are increased for more than two weeks should be seen by the general practitioner or family doctor. Depending on the case, it may be necessary to perform a biopsy to identify the cause of enlargement of the ganglion.
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