Associated symptoms

The accompanying symptoms are often decisive for the diagnosis of lymph node swelling in the collarbone. The majority of lymph node swelling in the head and neck area is due to inflammation caused by the pathogen. In the vast majority of cases, this is due to a simple flu.

Pain in the lymph nodes when pressure is applied from the outside and there is also fever, fatigue, aching limbs and flu symptoms, the diagnosis is obvious. Even after the flu has subsided, the swelling of the lymph nodes can remain. A hard capsule forms around the lymph node so that the node retains its size even after the infection.

The exact symptoms of the possible causative infectious diseases vary among themselves. Pfeiffer’s glandular fever, for example, tends to manifest itself as high fever and swelling of the tonsils, whereas measles is more conspicuous with rashes (). Malignant diseases usually remain without symptoms for a very long time. Often the painlessly swollen lymph nodes are the first thing that becomes noticeable. Later, however, symptoms such as night sweats, weight loss and slight fever are added.

Treatment

The treatment procedure is highly dependent on the diagnosed cause. In the majority of cases, simple influenza is present, which rarely requires therapy at all. The swelling of the lymph nodes and the flu symptoms usually disappear within a few days.

With some infectious diseases, several weeks of symptoms may be imminent. Bacterial infections, in turn, often require anti-inflammatory and antibacterial treatment. Stubborn bacteria often require antibiotic treatment lasting several days.Malignant lymphomas of the collarbone lymph nodes require more intensive targeted therapies.

There are several different types of lymph node cancer. The most important types can be divided into Hodgkin lymphomas, non-Hodgkin lymphomas and lymph node metastases of other cancers. For the latter, the therapy of the underlying disease is the main focus. In consultation with an oncologist, chemotherapy and radiotherapy should also be considered for malignant lymphomas.