Question
Hello Doctor,
I have a swollen lymph node on my collarbone, and it hurts when I touch it. So, doctor, can you tell me if a swollen lymph node on the collarbone is dangerous? Thank you, doctor.
Anonymous Customer
Answer
Answered by Dr. Lê Thị Hường - Department of General Examination, Vinmec Times City International General Hospital.
Hello,
For the question "Is a swollen lymph node in the collarbone dangerous?", the doctor would like to answer as follows:
Swelling of the collarbone lymph nodes is a condition where the volume of lymph nodes increases due to the proliferation of stromal cells inside or due to tumor invasion of stromal cells. Some lymph nodes will enlarge with different sizes on one or both sides of the neck, usually located in front and beside the sternocleidomastoid muscle. In the early stages, the lymph nodes are swollen, hard, and painless, and may be elevated. The disease tends to develop again, causing the lymph nodes to become inflamed, and then adhere tightly to the skin and surrounding tissues.
When you see swollen lymph nodes, you need to determine where the lymph nodes are located, where they are concentrated, and whether the lymph nodes are in one or multiple places. The number of lymph nodes, whether many or few, only 1 to 2 nodes or a cluster, a string, and their size. The density of the lymph nodes, whether large or small, soft or hard, fixed or movable, fixed and adherent, is more dangerous.
The duration of the lymph nodes can be longer or shorter. When the lymph nodes are swollen for more than a month or longer without signs of size reduction, it is very dangerous. Because this is often a warning sign of chronic diseases. If you see swollen lymph nodes on the collarbone, the patient should actively find out the cause, and generally, the cause of swollen collarbone lymph nodes is due to some of the following reasons:
- Swollen lymph nodes can be due to inflammation: According to research, some people have a habit of piercing their collarbone, but this is quite dangerous and can lead to internal inflammation. As a result, it can lead to swollen lymph nodes on the collarbone. Infections in the nasal sinuses, tonsillitis, pharyngitis, gingivitis, salivary gland inflammation, etc., cause swollen neck lymph nodes.Painful lymph nodes on the collarbone will often be accompanied by redness, pain, heat, rapid onset, some will have pain and the lumps may disappear after fighting the infection.
- Swollen collarbone lymph nodes due to tuberculosis: Swollen collarbone lymph nodes can be primary or secondary to tuberculosis in the abdomen. This condition can be seen in patients with a long history of illness, with swollen lymph nodes forming clusters and being movable. When pressed, the lymph nodes will not hurt and may stick together. If necrosis occurs, it will burst out like melted cheese.
- Metastatic cancer and malignant tumors: Metastatic cancer is one of the causes of swollen lymph nodes in the neck. The primary tumor is mostly located in the head and neck. The lymph nodes gradually enlarge, are hard, and have poor mobility. Nasopharyngeal cancer, tonsil cancer, and laryngeal cancer are cancers that often metastasize to the cervical lymph nodes. Cancers such as nasal, sinus, oral, and facial cancers often invade the submandibular lymph nodes. Esophageal cancer often metastasizes to the cervical lymph nodes.
- Benign tumors: In addition to lymph nodes, benign tumors or cysts can also appear on the neck. Sometimes they can be misdiagnosed as lymph nodes when palpated. For example, sebaceous cysts, lipomas, thyroid cysts, bone tumors, etc. Examination and diagnosis of these conditions need to be done by experienced doctors and professional medical facilities.
- Lymph nodes in thyroid cancer patients usually increase over time: Initially, the lymph nodes may be movable, but over time, they become more adherent to the ear area, accompanied by pain and hardness. In addition, there are symptoms such as dysphagia, dyspnea, headache, rapid weight loss, etc. Therefore, if you experience the above abnormal symptoms, you should see a doctor immediately.
There are many causes of swollen lymph nodes. Therefore, there will be different treatment methods depending on the different causes. If it is lymphadenitis due to bacterial infection, antibiotic treatment or clinical monitoring is sufficient. If it is tuberculosis lymphadenitis, it must be treated with anti-tuberculosis drugs. If it is due to a tumor, the primary tumor must be treated to achieve actual results. There are many causes of lymphadenopathy, so patients should go for an examination to know the exact cause and choose different treatment methods depending on the different causes.
The above information is about the condition of swollen collarbone lymph nodes. Whether it is an adult or an infant with swollen collarbone lymph nodes, you should take the patient to medical facilities for examination and appropriate treatment plans.
If you have any further questions about swollen lymph nodes on the collarbone, you can visit a hospital in the Vinmec Health System for further examination and consultation. Thank you for trusting and sending your question to Vinmec. Wishing you good health.
Sincerely!
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