Can this also be cancer?

Swollen lymph nodes in the groin can also be caused by tumor cells. Tumor cells, just like bacteria or viruses, cause a local immune reaction in lymph nodes. Unlike acute infections, this happens more slowly.

The lymph nodes slowly increase in size, which is less or not painful. Tumors that cause swollen lymph nodes in the groin include ovarian cancer, colon cancer, and testicular cancer. More precisely, this is a tumor metastasis, since the original cancer originates from another organ.

In contrast, lymph node cancer (lymphoma) originates directly from the lymph node. However, several lymph nodes are usually affected. For a precise diagnosis, suspicious lymph nodes are removed and histologically examined to find the primary tumor.

Unilateral pain

One-sided groin pain is found in the above-mentioned inguinal hernia, and strain or stretching of the groin muscles also often occurs on one side – especially on the dominant side, e.g. the talus in long jump. If both legs are under heavy strain, e.g. in martial arts, both groins can be affected. Long periods of incorrect loading or incorrect positioning can wear out the hip joint on the affected side and cause pain. Unilateral pain is caused by local inflammation, which can manifest itself as painful swelling of the lymph nodes on the affected side.

Bilateral pain

Bilateral pain in the groin is mainly found in generalized lymph node swelling. This can be found in viral or bacterial infections, especially in Pfeiffer’s glandular fever, a long-lasting painful swelling of the lymph nodes is observed. But even in the case of a simple flu, lymph nodes can swell all over the body; in the groin regions and neck they are often best palpable.

Overexertion due to sports can cause inflammation in both groins, with the psoas and front thigh muscles being mainly responsible. Pressure on nerves running under the inguinal ligament (nervus cutaneus femoris lateralis) can trigger pain that radiates from the groin to the front and outer side of the thighs. This is possible, for example, by wearing a too tight belt on one or both sides.