There are two areas to look for inguinal (groin) nodes:
Table of Contents
How do you feel inguinal lymph nodes?
There are two areas to look for inguinal (groin) nodes:
- Feel the horizontal chain of nodes in the right groin just below the ligament.
- Feel the vertical chain along the upper thigh.
- Check the lymph nodes in the other groin.
What might an enlarged lymph node indicate?
General swelling of lymph nodes throughout your body. When this occurs, it may indicate an infection, such as HIV or mononucleosis, or an immune system disorder, such as lupus or rheumatoid arthritis. Hard, fixed, rapidly growing nodes, indicating a possible cancer or lymphoma.
What is the most common cause of enlarged lymph nodes?
Infections are the most common cause of swollen lymph nodes. Infections that can cause them include: Abscessed or impacted tooth. Ear infection.
How do you know if swollen lymph nodes are cancerous?
Lymph nodes deep in the body cannot be felt or seen. So doctors may use scans or other imaging tests to look for enlarged nodes that are deep in the body. Often, enlarged lymph nodes near a cancer are assumed to contain cancer. The only way to know whether there is cancer in a lymph node is to do a biopsy.
What does enlarged inguinal lymph nodes mean?
Lymph nodes in the groin are also called inguinal lymph nodes. Swollen nodes in the groin can be caused by an injury or skin infection, such as athlete’s foot. Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and cancer can also cause swollen lymph nodes in the groin.
How do you treat inguinal lymph nodes?
How are swollen lymph nodes in the groin treated?
- Autoimmune disorders: Immune therapy, which includes drugs that help regulate the immune system.
- Cancer: Surgery to remove abnormal growths, radiation therapy and chemotherapy.
- Infections: Prescription drugs, including antibiotics, antivirals and antifungals.
Can inguinal lymph nodes be cancerous?
In the case of inguinal lymph nodes, they may receive cells from cancers of the penis, vulva, anus, and the skin on the arms and trunk of the body. If inguinal lymph nodes become cancerous, they can then spread cancer to the pelvic lymph nodes they flow into.