Cause of painless swelling of lymph nodes
Pain in lymph nodes always indicates inflammatory, i.e. rather harmless processes. If a lymph node does not hurt and is nevertheless enlarged, this can have various causes. In most people, the lymph nodes in the groin or under the chin are permanently and painlessly enlarged to about the size of a hazelnut or marble.
This has no disease value. They are only thickened by connective tissue because many inflammations have already occurred in them. However, the following signs need to be clarified: Then a malignant process such as lymph gland cancer or other cancer that has spread to the affected lymph nodes may be behind it.
A rare, benign cause is sarcoidosis, in which tissue nodules are formed from unexplained causes (presumably the immune system and bacteria play a role), primarily in the lungs but also in the lymph nodes. In addition, tuberculosis, which is caused by bacteria. Also very rare is sinus histiocytosis, in which immune cells, the histiocytes, accumulate in the lymph nodes, which leads to swelling.
Other rare causes are: Lupus erythematosus, amyloidosis, storage diseases such as Gaucher’s disease and Niemann-Pick’s disease.
- A diameter of more than approx. 1,5cm
- Existence of the swelling for longer than two weeks
- A very sudden and strong increase in size
- A hard and tough consistency
- In the presence of numerous swellings
