Hi armandajay,

Thanks for your request. I pulled this information from HealthCentral.com, a sister site to MyBreastCancerNetwork.com:

http://www.healthcentral.com/ency/408/003097.html

Lymph nodes are glands that play an important part in your body's defense against infection. They produce lymph, which travels throughout your body in the lymph system, and filters impuritiesfrom thebody.

Common areas where the lymph nodes can be felt (with the fingers) include:

• Groin
• Armpit
• Neck (there is a chain of lymph nodes on either side of the front of the neck, both sides of the neck, and down each side of the back of the neck)
• Under the jaw and chin
• Behind the ears
• On the back of the head

Lymph nodes can become swollen from infection, inflammatory conditions, an abscess, or cancer. Other causes of enlarged lymph nodes are rare. By far, the most common cause of swollen lymph nodes is infection.

When swelling appears suddenly and is painful, it is usually caused by injury or an infection. Enlargement that comes on gradually and painlessly may, in some cases,result from cancer or a tumor.

Common Causes:

Infections that commonly cause swollen lymph nodes include mononucleosis, German measles (rubella), tuberculosis, mumps, ear infection, tonsillitis, an abscessed or impacted tooth, gingivitis (swelling of the gums), mouth sores, and sexually transmitted diseases.

Immune or autoimmune disorders that can cause swollen lymph nodes include rheumatoid arthritis and HIV. Cancers that can cause swollen glands include leukemia, Hodgkin's disease, or non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

Which lymph nodes are swollen depends on the type of problem and the body parts involved. Identifying the location can help determine the possible cause.

Swollen lymph nodes may also be caused by some medications (like phenytoin for seizures) or certain vaccinations (namely, typhoid).

References:

Vincent MT. Pharyngitis. Am Fam Physician. 2004; 69(6): 1465-1470.

Bisno AL. Infectious Diseases Society of America. Practice guidelines for the diagnosis and management of group A streptococcal pharyngitis. Clin Infect Dis. 2002; 35(2): 113-125.

Abeloff MD. Clinical Oncology. 3^rd ed. Amsterdam, Netherlands: Elsevier; 2004.

Let me know if you have any other questions.

Sarah

Armandajay, cancer can cause the lymph nodes under your arm to swell. And if you were asking perhaps about swelling due to infections that turns into lymphedema because you've had lymph node surgery, then just about any kind of infection can set it off: a burn; a cut (even small cuts, like papercuts, cracked skin on your fingertips, etc.); an insect bite; sunburn; a sprain... any kind of injury can potentially cause a reaction (swelling) in either your lymph nodes, or in the greater lymph system. Hope this helps answer your question. - PJH