The difference between lymphadenitis and
cancer
The difference between lymphadenitis and cancer, and does the
difference appear in symptoms only? Lymphadenopathy is an imbalance in the
nature of the lymph nodes, which results from the spread of inflammatory cells
in the node, which comes from several diseases such as autoimmune disorders or
malignant tumors.
Article sections
The difference between lymphadenitis and cancer
First: the difference in types
Second: the difference in symptoms
Third: the difference in causes and risk factors
Fourth: the difference in diagnosis
Fifth: the difference in treatment methods
Frequently asked questions about the difference between lymphadenitis
and cancer
1- When should you feel concerned about the lymph glands?
2- How can it be known that the lymph nodes are healthy?
3- Does lymphoma show up in a blood test?
4- How long does lymphadenitis last?
5- Who is the doctor who specializes in treating lymph gland
problems?
6- How is a sample taken from the lymph nodes?
7- Does lymphadenitis cause shortness of breath?
8- Where are the lymph nodes located in the human body?
9- How many normal lymph nodes in the body?
10- How long does it take for the lymph nodes to return to their
normal size?
11- Is the antibiotic able to treat lymph nodes?
12- When does the problem of lymph nodes disappear after antibiotics?
13- Can lymphoma be cured?
Sources
The difference between lymphadenitis and
cancer
In the beginning, it is necessary to know first the difference
between lymphadenitis and lymphoma in terms of definition, which is limited to
the following points:
Lymphadenitis: It is an infection that spreads to the lymph nodes,
and is characterized by swelling in the glands and feeling pain. It is usually
caused by bacteria, fungi, or a virus, and the glands are infected as a
secondary infection.
Lymphoma: It often arises from the glands themselves, and it is a
condition in which lymphocytes multiply within the glands in an abnormal and
out of control manner. It may arise in other places and reach the lymph nodes,
causing them to swell and change their nature and shape.
There are also many other aspects that can easily explain the
difference between inflammation and lymphoma, including the following:
First: the difference in types
There are several differences that appear between the types of
lymphadenitis and lymphoma, and we review this difference in the following:
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1- Types of lymphadenitis
Specialist doctors divide lymphadenitis into two main types, and
these types lie in the following points:
Infectious inflammation: It results from a bacterial, fungal or viral
infection.
Non-infectious inflammation: It occurs as an immune reaction due to
the presence of cancer cells in the body or the presence of a foreign body.
2- Types of lymphoma
Lymphoma is also divided into a group of disparate types, which are
as follows:
Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.
Cutaneous B-cell lymphoma.
Hodgkin lymphoma.
Chronic lymphocytic leukemia.
Cutaneous T-cell lymphoma.
Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia.
Second: the difference in symptoms
One of the most important ways that helps to know the difference
between lymphadenitis and cancer is the symptoms that appear on the person,
which are based on the following:
1- Symptoms of lymphadenitis
There is a group of symptoms that appear on a person with
lymphadenitis, the most important of which are the following:
Feeling pain in the lymph glands, which increases when touched.
swollen lymph nodes
A change in the nature of the gland tissue becomes soft or hard.
High level of body temperature.
Redness of the skin covering the gland.
2- Symptoms of lymphoma
Similar to lymphadenitis, some different symptoms appear on the
person, which explain the difference between lymphadenitis and cancer, and the
most important symptoms:
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Losing weight for no reason.
Sweating a lot, especially at night.
High body temperature.
Feeling itchy skin and the appearance of a rash in multiple areas.
Swelling without pain in the lymph nodes located in the armpit, neck
or groin.
Having shortness of breath.
Feeling constantly tired and exhausted.
Frequent coughing and chest pain.
The skin bruises or bleeds easily.
Flatulence.
Anorexia.
Recurring infections.
Third: the difference in causes and risk
factors
Within talking about the difference between lymphadenitis and cancer,
there is a difference in symptoms. It is certain that the causes that lead to
lymphadenitis are different from the causes of cancer, which are limited to the
following:
1- Causes of lymphadenitis
Repeated infection is one of the most important causes of
lymphadenitis, and this problem may occur to people with a weak immune system,
and the most important reasons include the following:
Streptococcal infection.
The person suffering from tuberculosis.
In the case of infection with staph bacteria.
When infected with viral infections such as HIV.
2- Causes of lymphoma
Continuing to talk about the difference between lymphadenitis and
cancer, until now, doctors have not reached clear causes of lymphoma, but there
are some reasons that increase the risk of developing it, the most important of
which are:
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Age of the person: Cancer diseases that lead to lymphadenopathy often
decrease during childhood, but increase with age.
Exposure to carcinogens: Permanent exposure to smoke, ultraviolet
rays, and alcohol causes an increased risk of developing lymphoma, in addition
to exposure to beryllium and silicon, and people with AIDS or acquired
immunodeficiency.
Fourth: the difference in diagnosis
Diagnosis is one of the factors that explain the difference between
lymphadenitis and cancer. In the beginning, the specialist doctor works to
exclude non-cancerous causes, and begins to clinically examine the patient and
ask him about some things, the most important of which are the following:
Being scratched by a cat.
Eating undercooked meat.
Infection with a tick bite.
Travel to certain regions.
Medications the patient is taking.
In the event that the doctor believes that the swollen lymph glands
are caused by cancer, there are a number of other procedures that he follows,
which include the following:
Perform a complete blood count.
Ultrasound examination.
X-ray.
MRI scan.
CT scan.
Positron tomography.
Taking a sample from the affected gland.
Fifth: the difference in treatment methods
The difference between lymphadenitis and cancer also appears clearly
in the treatment methods used for each of them, and we review the treatment
methods in the following:
1- Methods of treating lymphadenitis
In most cases, the swelling of the lymph nodes disappears after the
infection disappears, and the patient can take medications prescribed by the
doctor, such as antibiotics and antivirals.
Also, sometimes the doctor may prescribe anti-inflammatory
medications in case the swelling is in the tissues, in addition to some famous
home remedies, the most important of which are the following:
Take some types of pain relievers that need a doctor's prescription,
such as paracetamol.
Put warm compresses on the affected area.
Drink enough fluids such as water and fresh juices.
Take proper rest to make the body recover better.
2- Methods of treatment of lymphoma
Within knowing the difference between lymphadenitis and cancer
treatment, the type of treatment used in the treatment of lymphoma usually
depends on the type of cancer a person suffers from and the stage it has
reached, and if necessary, the following methods are used:
Chemotherapy: It is a powerful treatment that targets cancer cells in
order to kill them.
Biological therapy: a drug treatment that stimulates the immune
system to attack cancer cells.
Radiotherapy: It is a treatment that targets small areas of cancer
and works to destroy them through a number of concentrated doses of radiation.
Radioimmunotherapy: A treatment method in which a doctor directs high
doses of energy radiation directly at cancer cells in order to kill them.
Surgical treatment: Surgery is performed to remove the organs in the
body that the cancer has reached.
The difference between lymphadenitis and cancer appears in many
different aspects, so we find that there is a big difference in the symptoms
that appear on the person, in addition to the difference in treatment methods.
Frequently asked questions about the difference between lymphadenitis
and cancer
1- When should you feel concerned about the lymph glands?
You should consult a doctor as soon as possible in the event that
swelling appears in the lymph nodes for no reason and continues for a period ranging
from two to four weeks.
2- How can it be known that the lymph nodes are healthy?
There is no feeling of pain, especially when touched, and the size of
the gland does not exceed 12 mm, and there is no enlargement in size.
3- Does lymphoma show up in a blood test?
Yes, as a blood sample can be taken for the cells and to confirm
whether or not she suffers from cancer.
4- How long does lymphadenitis last?
It lasts a maximum of two weeks.
5- Who is the doctor who specializes in treating lymph gland
problems?
The patient is referred to a doctor who specializes in hematology or
hematology.
6- How is a sample taken from the lymph nodes?
The entire area is cleaned, then the doctor inserts a hollow needle
and then removes a small piece of lymph node tissue.
7- Does lymphadenitis cause shortness of breath?
Yes, besides feeling stiff in the neck and dysphagia.
8- Where are the lymph nodes located in the human body?
They are found in all parts of the body, but a large number of them
gather in the neck, upper thighs, and under the armpits.
9- How many normal lymph nodes in the body?
The normal percentage of lymphocytes ranges between 20: 40%.
10- How long does it take for the lymph nodes to return to their
normal size?
In the event that it was swollen as a result of an infection, it will
return to its size within two or three weeks, but in the case of a virus
infection, it may continue for a few more weeks.
11- Is the antibiotic able to treat lymph nodes?
Yes, and this is if the problem is caused by a bacterial infection.
12- When does the problem of lymph nodes disappear after
antibiotics?
In severe cases, it takes more than four weeks to disappear.
13- Can lymphoma be cured?
Yes, the cure rate has reached 80%.
Sources
Website: webmd
Website: ncbi.nlm.nih.gov