[Enlarged lymph nodes--rapid diagnosis of infectious and neoplastic causes].
Although lymphadenopathy is usually an expression of a harmless, self-limiting immune reaction, it may nevertheless also signify the presence of a malignant tumor or relevant infectious disease--in particular when the swelling is sizeable, rapidly progressive, and associated symptoms are present. If, however, unfavorable criteria are definitely absent (Table 1), a wait-and-see policy with re-evaluation in three to four weeks may initially be adopted.
Medizinische Klinik-Innenstadt, Klinikum der LMU München. Gerold.Meinhardt@med.uni-muenchen.de
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D000328:Adult; D001706:Biopsy; D003661:Decision Support Techniques; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000473:pathology; D008199:Lymphadenitis / Q000175:diagnosis*; D008206:Lymphatic Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D008223:Lymphoma / Q000175:diagnosis*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed