Definition – What is a calcified lymph node?
A calcified lymph node is often also called a thickened lymph node. This often feels hard on palpation and can also be painful. Since lymph nodes take over a variety of tasks in our immune system, a hardening or calcification of the lymph node cannot be immediately assigned to a specific disease. Instead, the cause of the lymph node change can be determined in a multi-stage procedure. Depending on the cause of the symptoms, the calcified lymph node can be left as it is, or it must be removed and further diagnostic steps must be taken.
I recognize a calcified lymph node by these symptoms
A calcified lymph node is usually additionally swollen so that a bump may be visible externally. Otherwise, the calcified and/or swollen lymph node is often only noticeable by palpation of the affected area. The lymph node may be movable or firmly attached to the skin.
The consistency of the lymph node can also vary: in most cases, calcified lymph nodes are hardened, but they can also be soft. Palpation often causes pain in the lymph node. The additional symptoms are extremely varied depending on the cause of calcification.
Infections are often accompanied by fever, cough, rhinitis and malaise. The presence of the so-called B-symptoms (fever, unintentional weight loss of 10% of the body weight in 6 months and night sweats so that the pyjamas have to be changed) should make you prone to a malignant disease. A calcified lymph node is often hardened and therefore triggers the suspicion of a malignant disease.
On the other hand, painful lymph nodes are more likely to indicate an acute inflammatory event such as an infection. Especially if the lymph node is suddenly swollen and hard, one should rather assume an infection. Pain in calcified lymph nodes should therefore be further clarified diagnostically.
In addition to the painfulness and calcification of the lymph node, its size is also important. Attention should also be paid to other symptoms. Conspicuous lymph nodes such as calcified lymph nodes are particularly common in the neck area.
Every person has enlarged and hardened lymph nodes in the neck area several times in their life. It is not uncommon for this to occur in other typical lymph node locations such as under the chin and below the jaw. There are also often conspicuous lymph nodes in the groin region.
In many people, these are chronically thickened without any disease being present. Calcified lymph nodes are also more frequently found under the armpits. The cause of the change should be further clarified there. Altered lymph nodes also occur more frequently in the thorax and along the abdominal artery.
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