Other symptoms of lymph node pain
Painful lymph nodes are usually not only painful but also enlarged. Painfulness usually occurs when pressure is applied to the lymph nodes. However, if the lymph nodes become very large in a short period of time, the pain can also be caused by the abrupt compression of adjacent tissue.
The most common way to feel the painful and enlarged lymph nodes is to palpate them in the head and neck area, for example in the neck, behind or in front of the ears, under the earlobe, under the lower jaw or above the collarbone. Enlarged and painful lymph nodes in the armpit and in the groin can also be palpated more frequently. In order to distinguish between a benign and a malignant disease, some attributes of the affected lymph nodes may give clues.
A benign cause of the symptoms is the presence of swollen lymph nodes on both sides, painful pressure, good mobility and differentiability of the individual lymph nodes in the tissue, as well as a rather soft consistency (“prallelastic”). In contrast, signs of a malignant disease can be lymph nodes that are enlarged on one side only, are firmly attached to their surroundings and cannot be moved, are of coarse consistency and very large. Rapid growth of the lymph node may also cause reddening of the skin around the lymph node. Occasionally, lymph nodes can also calcify.
Diagnosis for painful lymph nodes
A doctor can usually diagnose a swollen, painful lymph node very quickly. For this purpose, the lymph node stations of the body are scanned. Swollen lymph nodes can be easily located.
In case of doubt and for further clarification, an ultrasound of the lymph nodes can also help. Ultrasound makes it easier to determine the exact size of the lymph node and to assess its shape and composition. If there are signs of a possible malignant disease of the lymph node, it can be taken as a tissue sample and pathologically examined. The pathologist can assess the lymph node tissue under the microscope and determine whether there are malignant cells in the lymph node or whether it is merely a benign swelling of the lymph node.
