Therapy

There is no generalized definitive statement about the duration of swelling in swollen lymph nodes. The exact duration of the swelling depends on the type and extent of the disease. In general, it can be said that the duration of the swelling corresponds approximately to the duration of the underlying disease.

Thus, for example, in the case of a cold or local inflammation involving swollen lymph nodes, the swelling should subside once the symptoms subside. This can take up to one or two weeks, depending on the case. In some cases, the duration of the swelling is also slightly longer than the actual symptoms.

In the case of serious diseases such as lymphoma or a malignant tumor, swollen lymph nodes are present much longer. Lymphomas and other types of cancer of the blood cells sometimes cause years of lymph node swelling. These often only subside after a specific therapy.

In the case of swollen lymph nodes caused by a tumor, the swelling lasts until all tumor cells have been removed. Often the lymph nodes themselves are also removed. Overall, the duration of the swelling varies and depends on the type and extent of the disease and the therapy.

Prognosis

The prognosis is usually very good, since almost all lymph node swellings are harmless short-term reactive lymphadenopathies. If cancer is present, the prognosis depends on other factors such as tumor spread, organ involvement and metastasis.

Prophylaxis

In the case of a cold, the swelling of lymph nodes cannot be prevented; it is necessary for the body to mobilize immune cells that fight the pathogen. The swelling of lymph nodes in the context of tumor diseases cannot be prevented either, but by observing one’s own body and by regular self-scanning, one can sometimes detect a tumor disease early on and, in the case of painless, growing lymph nodes, one should quickly consult a doctor and have the suspected lymph node examined. In the case of breast cancer, self-scanning of the breast and palpation of the armpit after lymph node changes play a particularly important role; especially women who have already had breast cancer can thus quickly detect a relapse (a recurrence).