Description

Enlarged lymph nodes, also known as lymphadenopathy, can occur due to a number of possible reasons, including infection, injury, or cancer. 

Causes

  • Infection: A bacterial, viral, or fungal infection can cause lymph nodes to swell. Infections that start in another part of the body can spread to the lymph nodes. For example, a tonsil infection can cause the lymph nodes in your neck to swell. 
  • Injury: An injury can cause lymph nodes to swell suddenly and be painful. 
  • Cancer: In rare cases, swollen lymph nodes can be caused by cancer, such as lymphoma or leukemia. 
  • Immune system disease: Conditions like lupus or rheumatoid arthritis can cause swollen lymph nodes. 
  • Certain medications: Some medications can cause swollen lymph nodes. 

Symptoms 

  • Swollen lymph nodes that are tender or painful
  • Fever
  • Weight loss
  • Night sweats
  • Drainage from a nearby source, like the ear or nipple

The following test are included:

Beta-2 Microglobulin (B2M)

Complete Blood Count (CBC)

C-reactive protein (CRP)

Cytomegalovirus (CMV)

Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV)

Hepatic Function (Liver Function)

Hepatitis B Surface Antigen

Hepatitis C Antibody

HIV 1/2

Fasting not required.

Additional information about each test is listed below:

If you have swollen lymph nodes, an elevated beta-2 microglobulin (B2M) level in a blood test can indicate a potential malignancy, particularly lymphoma or multiple myeloma, as high B2M levels are often associated with rapidly dividing cancer cells and can be used as a marker to assess disease progression and prognosis; however, other factors like infections or kidney disease can also raise B2M levels, so further investigation is necessary to reach a diagnosis. 

A complete blood count (CBC) is a common test that doctors order to help determine the cause of swollen lymph nodes. A CBC provides information about your overall health and the level of white blood cells that fight infection.

If you have enlarged lymph nodes and an elevated C-reactive protein (CRP) level, it usually indicates an inflammatory process in your body, most likely caused by an infection, as CRP is a marker for inflammation and swollen lymph nodes are a common sign of the body fighting off infection.

Enlarged lymph nodes can be a symptom of cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection. CMV is a virus that often has no symptoms, but can cause mild to severe symptoms in some people. 

Swollen lymph nodes are a symptom of infectious mononucleosis (mono), a viral infection caused by the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). The lymph nodes are usually swollen in the neck. 

If you have enlarged lymph nodes in the hepatic area (near the liver), a blood test to check for liver function is often performed, typically including tests for liver enzymes like ALT, AST, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and GGT, as these can indicate inflammation or damage to the liver which could be related to the swollen lymph nodes.

A positive hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) test result, indicating an active hepatitis B infection, can often be associated with swollen lymph nodes, particularly enlarged lymph nodes near the liver (perihepatic lymph nodes), which can be a sign of liver inflammation and active viral replication in the body; this is especially seen in cases of chronic hepatitis B.

Swollen lymph nodes, particularly in the abdominal area near the liver (perihepatic lymph nodes), can be a common finding in individuals with a positive hepatitis C antibody test, indicating an active infection with the hepatitis C virus (HCV) and can be a sign of the body's immune response fighting the virus; this is often referred to as "lymphadenopathy" in the context of hepatitis C. 

Enlarged lymph nodes, also known as lymphadenopathy, can be an early sign of HIV infection. They can appear in the neck, armpit, groin, or other areas of the body.