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Adenopathy, or lymphadenopathy, is the swelling of lymph nodes in different parts of the body, usually a symptom of an underlying condition such as viral or bacterial infections, autoimmune disorders, or cancer. Treatment focuses on addressing the underlying cause, and sometimes a biopsy is necessary for diagnosis. People with swollen lymph nodes should seek medical attention as it could indicate a serious illness.
Adenopathy is more commonly referred to as lymphadenopathy. The middle name makes sense as this condition is described as having swollen lymph nodes. These could occur in different parts of the body. The swelling can occur in the small knots under the chin, lymph nodes in the groin, armpits, or elsewhere. Adenopathy is usually considered a symptom of an underlying condition, rather than being a disease of the nodes per se.
Since it is symptomatic of another condition, doctors have to work to find out why the condition is present. There are a number of potential causes of persistent swollen lymph nodes. Certain types of viruses may be responsible, and lymphadenopathy is not uncommon when conditions such as mononucleosis, a previous chickenpox infection, Epstein-Barr, or HIV are present.
Swollen lymph nodes are also indicative of contagion with different types of bacteria. Cat-scratch fever, which causes Bartonella infection, often causes them. In fact, cat scratch fever is considered to be one of the common reasons children get lymphadenopathy. Other times people might show symptoms of swollen lymph nodes due to parasitic infections, autoimmune conditions, or the presence of cancer.
The definition of symptoms can vary slightly. The lymph nodes in one or more areas are much larger than normal, and in some cases people find this uncomfortable. The skin over the nodes is sometimes red. Some people have a fever and there may be a recent illness which could immediately suggest a cause.
Treatment of adenopathy tends to focus on treating the underlying causative factors. Treating this, when possible, can help the glands shrink to normal size. Sometimes the condition clears up on its own when certain viruses are involved, such as Epstein-Barr or chicken pox. When a clear cause for the condition isn’t immediately identifiable, some doctors approach this by taking a biopsy of an affected node. This can be helpful in diagnosing diseases such as lymphoma, which can cause the condition.
The variety of causes means that the treatment will not always be the same. Any evidence of bacterial infection would likely prompt treatment with antibiotics. Autoimmune disorders might be treated with specific medications that can help reduce the inflammatory response. Forms of cancer that could lead to lymphadenopathy are being tackled with the most aggressive means possible to effect a cure.
Since there are many potential causes of swollen lymph nodes, people who have this condition are advised to see a doctor. Sometimes no treatment is required. In other cases, adenopathy indicates a serious illness that will require immediate medical attention.
