Is it normal for cervical lymph nodes to be enlarged, non-tender, and firm in consistency?
Disease description:
Recently, my body has experienced a very strange phenomenon: the lymph nodes in the neck area have become swollen without any apparent cause. Even stranger, pressing on them does not cause pain, nor do they feel itchy during daily activities. May I ask whether it is normal for neck lymph nodes to swell, be non-tender upon palpation, and have a relatively hard consistency?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Yang Ziqi
Enlarged lymph nodes in the neck that are non-tender and firm in consistency are typically not normal. This condition may be caused by various factors, including but not limited to lymphadenopathy, chronic lymphadenitis, and lymphoma. Lymph node enlargement could result from infection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis or prolonged chronic inflammatory stimulation, while lymphoma may be associated with hereditary factors. Additionally, neck lymph node swelling may also be caused by inflammation of adjacent organs, immune factors, or indolent lymphoma. When such symptoms occur, timely medical consultation is recommended to establish a definitive diagnosis through examinations such as color Doppler ultrasound and fine-needle aspiration cytology, and to undertake appropriate treatment according to the physician's recommendations.
