What Causes Enlargement Of The Lymph Nodes In The Chest?

Posted on Sun, 8 Jun 2014

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Sun, 8 Jun 2014 Answered on

Sat, 28 Jun 2014 Last reviewed on

Question : Hi, my wife was in the hospital last week. Blood work came back normal no abnormalities with white blood cell counts or anything. They did a CAT scan to because she has some intestinal issues she was very constipated. Thought maybe there was an obstruction. So last night we got a call from the ER doctor from last week saying they found enlarged lymph nodes in her chest. Now since her blood work was normal I was just wondering statically what are the changes of it being cancerous. I'm kind of freaking out a little.

Answered by Dr. Monish De (3 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Biopsy

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX
I am glad to hear that your wifes blood tests came back as normal.
The main causes of enlargement of the lymph nodes in the chest are a bacterial illness including tuberculosis, cancer, such as leukemia, Hodgkin’s disease, and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, Lung cancer and Sarcoidosis
Lymph nodes often swell in one location when a problem such as an injury, infection, or tumor develops in or near the lymph node.
As many diseases cause the lymph nodes in the chest to be enlarged and there is no certain way of knowing which disease is causing them to be enlarged doctors often require a small sample (biopsy) from the lymph nodes to make a clear diagnosis. Only after the diagnosis can the exact treatment be started.

Hope i answered your query
Regards
DR De

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D