If you find swollen lymph nodes, it can feel a little unsettling. However, in most cases, it’s simply your body’s way of responding to something ordinary, like a cold or a minor infection.
The way a lymph node feels can offer helpful clues about what’s going on: a soft, tender node is often linked to a recent infection, while a firmer node that doesn’t move as easily may warrant a closer look by a healthcare professional.
It’s worth speaking to a doctor if an enlarged lymph node has no obvious cause, feels hard or fixed in place, keeps growing, or has lasted more than two to four weeks. The same goes if you notice a persistent fever, night sweats, unexplained weight loss or difficulty breathing alongside the swelling.
This guide can help you further understand what to look for, but it’s not a replacement for a proper check-up. If anything feels unusual or you’re worried, it’s important to have it checked by a medical professional.
This article describes what lymph nodes are, what different textures may mean, how they are diagnosed, and how they are linked to cancer (although this is rare).
What are lymph nodes?
Lymph nodes are small, bean-shaped structures found throughout the body. They’re part of the immune system, acting as filters that trap organisms (viruses, bacteria), waste products, toxic substances and damaged cells, removing them from the lymphatic system before they can spread further. They’re found all over the body, but you’ll most easily feel them in the neck, armpits, groin, and behind the knees.
How to check lymph nodes
Healthy lymph nodes feel like small, smooth, soft or slightly rubbery lumps beneath the skin, usually no larger than a pea. Several lymph nodes may feel like a row of small, smooth, pea-sized lumps beneath the skin, particularly in areas such as the neck or groin. They are easier to feel in common areas such as the neck, armpits and groin.
To check your lymph nodes, use the pads of your fingers and press gently using a gentle circular motion. Notice the size, the texture, and whether anything moves under the skin.
- Neck: Use the pads of your fingers to feel gently along both sides of the neck, beneath the jaw and around the collarbone.
- Armpits: Relax your upper arm and bring your elbows forward, then feel gently in the hollow of the armpit with the opposite hand.
- Groin: Feel gently along the crease where the top of the leg meets the pelvis, comparing both sides.
Persistent swelling should always be assessed by a healthcare professional.
Can swollen lymph nodes be linked to cancer?
Swollen lymph nodes can sometimes be linked to cancer, but it is rare. Most swelling in the lymph nodes is caused by infection.
If swollen lymph nodes are connected to cancer, it usually happens in one of two ways:
- The cancer starts in the lymphatic system itself, as with lymphoma or leukaemia
- Cancer cells spread from elsewhere in the body, such as the breast or lungs, to the lymph node
What do cancerous lymph nodes feel like?
Cancerous lymph nodes are most commonly found in the neck, armpits or groin, although they can also occur more deeply in the body such as in centre of the chest or abdomen. They can feel hard and firm, a little like a marble, and are usually painless. This is different to nodes swollen by infection, which tend to feel soft, rubbery and tender.
These nodes are also often described as fixed, meaning they don’t move easily under the skin. That’s because they’ve become attached to the surrounding tissue.
The size varies depending on the type of cancer, but cancerous nodes generally don’t shrink back down the way an infection-related node would.
What does a lymphoma lump feel like?
A lymphoma lump usually feels firm, rubbery and round, and is most often found in the neck, armpit or groin. Unlike a node swollen by infection, it tends to be painless and doesn’t move around easily.
Texture alone can’t tell you what’s causing a lump, so it’s always worth having anything unusual checked by a healthcare professional who can advise on next steps.
What different lymph node textures may mean
The way a lymph node feels can offer useful clues, though it’s never a substitute for a proper assessment.
Here’s what different textures may point to:
Soft, tender and mobile
- Usually linked to a recent, acute infection, such as a cold, flu, strep throat or a local skin infection
- Tends to feel bouncy and soft
- May be tender or slightly painful to the touch
Firm, rubbery and mobile
- Can point to a more ongoing infection, or a mild, continuing immune response
- Long-term irritation can make a node feel firmer than it would with a short-term infection
- Typically stays unattached to the surrounding tissue, moving fairly freely
Hard and fixed in place
- Worth having assessed by a healthcare professional
- Can be linked to a more serious underlying cause, including cancer that has spread from elsewhere in the body
- Often painless
- In some cases, several nodes may feel joined together as one larger, irregular mass
What other symptoms should you watch out for alongside a swollen lymph node?
Alongside the texture of the node itself, a few other things are worth keeping in mind.
Size
A healthy lymph node usually feels about the size of a small pea, under 1cm. Anything larger than 2cm is worth having checked.
Tenderness
Pain and tenderness are usually reassuring signs – nodes swollen by infection tend to be sore to the touch. A node that feels firm or hard but isn’t painful is the one that’s worth a closer look.
How long it has been swollen
Most swollen nodes settle down within two to four weeks. If it hasn’t gone down by then, or it keeps growing, it’s worth getting checked.
Location
Nodes just above or below the collarbone are worth having assessed, as this location is less commonly linked to everyday infections.
Whether it’s solo or you have several swollen nodes
A single swollen node in one area, say, the neck or armpit, often points to a nearby infection, such as strep throat, an ear infection or a skin abscess. That said, a single node that’s painless, stony-hard and doesn’t move is worth getting checked promptly.
Swelling in two or more areas that aren’t near each other – both the neck and groin, for instance – tends to suggest something more systemic, such as a viral illness like mononucleosis, or an autoimmune condition such as rheumatoid arthritis or lupus.
When to have swollen lymph nodes checked
Most swollen lymph nodes settle down on their own within a few weeks. It’s worth speaking to a healthcare professional if a lymph node:
- Feels hard, rubbery or painless
- Doesn’t move when you press it gently
- Stays swollen for more than two to four weeks
- Comes with unexplained weight loss, night sweats or a fever that won’t go away
Getting checked early simply helps identify the cause sooner, whether that’s an infection that needs treating or something that needs a closer look.
How are swollen lymph nodes diagnosed?
When you visit a GP with swollen lymph glands, they will usually begin by:
- Gently examining the swollen lymph nodes
- Checking their size, texture and whether they move freely
- Asking about recent infections
- Finding out how long the swelling has been present
- Checking whether you have any other symptoms
They may then recommend further tests, including:
- Blood tests: These can show changes in your white blood cell count that may point to an infection. Blood tests cannot confirm cancer on their own, but they can help doctors build a clearer picture.
- Ultrasound scan: This provides a more detailed view of the lymph node’s size, shape and structure.
- Biopsy: A small sample of tissue is removed and examined. This is often the only way to confirm what is causing the swelling and may be recommended if there is concern about lymphoma, leukaemia or cancer that has spread to the lymph nodes.
Most people referred for further tests have a straightforward, treatable cause, such as a lingering infection. A specialist, such as a haematologist or clinical nurse specialist, will explain the results and any next steps.
Getting checked early can help identify the cause sooner. If a lump does not feel right or you are concerned, it is best to speak to a healthcare professional rather than wait and see.
Are you facing a lymphoma diagnosis?
Receiving a lymphoma diagnosis can feel overwhelming, and it’s natural to have many questions and concerns about what lies ahead. At Proton International London, we provide private proton beam therapy for suitable patients with lymphoma, working closely with experienced consultant oncologists to assess each person individually.
Proton beam therapy is a highly precise form of radiotherapy that can target a tumour while reducing unnecessary radiation exposure to surrounding healthy organs and tissues.
To find out whether private proton beam therapy could form part of your cancer treatment plan, contact our team for further information or to discuss a referral.
Frequently asked questions about swollen lymph nodes
What do lymph nodes do?
The lymph system is a network of vessels, tissues and organs that helps protect the body from infection and maintain fluid balance. The lymphatic vessels transport a colourless fluid called lymph. The lymph nodes filter harmful organisms before the lymph fluid returns to the bloodstream.
The lymph glands contain millions of infection-fighting lymphocyte cells, a type of white blood cell. These immune cells help the body recognise infections and abnormal cells and produce antibodies to fight them. So, when lymph nodes swell, it is often a sign that the immune system is responding to an infection or another change in the body.
Can swollen lymph nodes be linked to cancer?
Swollen lymph nodes can be linked to cancer, though it’s not the most common cause. Infections, viruses and inflammation account for the vast majority of cases.
Are swollen glands always a sign of cancer?
Swollen glands are rarely caused by cancer. They’re most often linked to infections such as a cold, flu or strep throat, as the immune system works to fight off germs. Swelling like this is usually temporary and settles within two to four weeks.
Can a healthy lymph node be felt?
Healthy lymph nodes are usually too small to notice. In some people, particularly those who are very slim, they can sometimes be felt as small, soft, pea-sized lumps that move easily under the skin, most often in the groin.
This article is intended for general information only and isn’t a substitute for professional medical advice. If you’re concerned about a swollen lymph node or any other symptom, please speak to a GP or healthcare professional for a proper assessment.
