Frequently asked questions about lymph node swelling in the groin:
In principle, a swelling of the lymph nodes can also be an indication of cancer. Typically, this does not lead to a lateral lymph node swelling in the groin. Instead, a single lymph node is affected or there is a swelling of immediately adjacent lymph nodes.
Further evidence that cancer could be the cause of the swelling of the lymph nodes in the groin would be a severe hardening that accompanies the swelling. Even if the lymph node is not painful due to pressure, this could be an indication of cancer. Especially if there is no other explanation for the lymph node swelling (injury to the legs, feet, skin diseases, diseases of the abdominal cavity), one should also think of cancer.
In addition, lymph nodes that continue to grow and whose swelling does not stop after some time and tends to recede are suspected of cancer. HIV is a disease of the immune system, which is caused by the human immunodeficiency virus. Especially at the beginning of the disease, i.e. at the initial infection, there can be severe swelling of the lymph nodes.
However, the neck lymph nodes are primarily affected. Subsequently, the disease with HIV leads to a long (months to decades) phase without symptoms. It is only in the final stage that a generalized swelling of the lymph nodes (occurring all over the body) can become noticeable.
This can also affect the groin region. Do you have any further questions? Whether exercise is possible with swollen lymph nodes depends on the accompanying symptoms.
If you are tired, have a slight or high fever and accompanying symptoms that could indicate an underlying disease, you should first take it easy. After vaccinations or if the patient is in good general condition, sports activities can usually be carried out.In case of doubt, however, it is advisable to consult a physician first. In the case of typical infection symptoms and painfully swollen lymph nodes, a family doctor can be consulted first.
This doctor can find initial indications of infectious causes or increased activity of the immune system. If necessary, he will perform an ultrasound of the swollen lymph node to assess its structure. If the family doctor suspects a malignant cause of the lymph node swelling, he can refer the person concerned to a specialist, depending on the underlying disease.
For children and infants, the pediatrician is also a good contact person, especially if there is a suspicion of a viral childhood disease. If lymphoma or another malignant disease is suspected, the family doctor can refer the patient to a hospital for a biopsy of the lymph node, at best with an oncology ward. There, a decision must be made about further therapy.
The lymphatic system is responsible for the immune defense by forming and maturing defense cells. The former is carried out in the primary lymphatic organs (thymus and bone marrow), the latter in the secondary lymphatic organs, which include the lymph nodes (as well as spleen, tonsils and special sections of the intestine, such as the appendix). In the lymph nodes and in the lymph channels, substances circulating in the blood through the body are checked and hazardous substances are filtered out and rendered harmless.
The lymph channels finally end in the left and right vein angle. Lymph nodes are therefore intermediate stations of the entire system. Groin lymph nodes or inguinal lymph nodes are located both superficially and deeply embedded.
Lymph channels from the legs (lower extremities), the genital area, the buttocks and the skin and subcutis (cutis and subcutis), which is located below the navel, flow into them. The most prominent lymph node due to its size is the deep-seated Rosenmüller lymph node. It is located in the Lacuna vasorum, an anatomical gap below the inguinal ligament through which blood vessels and nerve cords reach the thigh.
