Lymphadenopathy

Lymphadenopathy describes a situation where the lymph nodes are abnormal in size, number or consistency. It is a non-specific symptom of several conditions. The most common presentation is lymphadenitis, lymph nodes that are swollen or enlarged. The most common causes are infection, autoimmune diseases, and cancer. In the vast majority of cases, the cause is a minor illness (such as the common cold) although many cases are idiopathic, self-limiting, and self-resolving.
Several disease have distinct presentations of lymphadenopathy that can assist with a diagnosis, such as the buboes in bubonic plague or a swollen cervical lymph node typical of mononucleosis.
Some lymphadenopathies can be confused with lymphoma on initial presentation, but show up clearly as benign in a biopsy.
Proper medical treatment usually requires a physician to perform a further examination when a lymphadenopathy appears in a particular lymph node. even when the most common cause is not serious. For example, a swelling of the cervical lymph node in the neck requires a full examination of the interior of the throat either with a mirror or an endoscope.
Lymphadenopathy at Wikipedia