Swollen lymph nodes
Swollen lymph nodes (or swollen glands) are usually caused by an infection. But sometimes they can be a symptom of leukaemia or other blood cancers. Find out when to seek help for swollen lymph nodes.
Summary
- Swollen lymph nodes are extremely common. Most of the time they are not due to anything serious.
- But sometimes, swollen lymph nodes can be a symptom of leukaemia or other types of blood cancer.
- If you have swollen glands that last longer than 2 weeks, make an appointment with your GP.
About swollen lymph nodes
Lymph nodes are small, bean-shaped organs that are part of your immune system. You have them all over your body. Some people call them lymph glands, or just glands.
If you’re unwell, lymph nodes can become enlarged and you might notice swollen glands in places like your neck, armpits or groin. They can feel lumpy and, sometimes, painful or tender. You also have lymph nodes deeper inside your body where you can’t usually feel them.
Swollen lymph nodes are extremely common, especially in children. Most of the time they are not serious. But they can sometimes be a symptom of leukaemia or a type of blood cancer called lymphoma.
Photos of swollen lymph nodes
Large swollen lymph node in the neck
Large swollen lymph node above the collar bone
Like all symptoms of leukaemia, having swollen lymph nodes does not mean you definitely have leukaemia. But if you’re worried about your symptoms, it’s a good idea to see your GP.
Overall, fewer than 1 in 100 people who visit their GP with swollen lymph nodes have cancer. More than 99 in 100 do not have cancer. These numbers vary a bit depending on your age. But the important thing to remember is that most people with swollen glands do not have cancer.
More about lymph nodes
Lymph nodes are part of your immune system. They’re full of immune cells, mainly white blood cells called lymphocytes. They help your body remember and respond to germs.
When they recognise a germ, lymphocytes multiply inside your lymph nodes and make them swell. This is why you might notice swollen glands when you have an infection.
Why do people with blood cancer get swollen lymph nodes?
If you have leukaemia or some other types of blood cancer, abnormal white blood cells build up in your blood. But they sometimes build up in other parts of your body too. This can include your lymph nodes.
What else can cause swollen lymph nodes?
Swollen lymph nodes can be caused by lots of things. Most people who have them do not have leukaemia.
Other things that can cause swollen lymph nodes include:
- Infections. This is by far the most common cause of swollen lymph nodes. Most of the time these get better on their own, or with simple treatment from a GP or pharmacist.
- Response to an injury like a cut or scratch.
- Some autoimmune conditions.
- Some medicines.
- Some vaccinations.
- Other types of cancer.
When to seek help
If you have swollen lymph nodes that last for more than 2 weeks, make an appointment with your GP.
Nearly 4 in 10 people with leukaemia wait 3 months or more before contacting a GP about their symptoms.
Features of swollen nodes that should prompt you to contact your GP include:
- Last longer than 2 weeks
- Accompanied by other symptoms of blood cancer
- Larger than 2cm
- Getting bigger
- In several places in your body
- Not sore or painful
- Feel firm, hard or rubbery
- Fixed under your skin, rather than moving around when you press on them
Your GP will examine you. This might be enough to find out why your lymph nodes are swollen. You may not need any other tests.
If you have swollen lymph nodes in several places and your GP can’t identify a cause, they should consider an urgent blood test. If they don’t offer you a blood test, ask for one. They might refer you for an ultrasound or a biopsy of the lymph nodes too.
If you are struggling to get help
Nearly 3 in 10 people with leukaemia have to speak to their GP three or more times before getting a diagnosis.
There may be many possible explanations for your symptoms for a GP to consider.
If you have to go back to your GP three or more times about the same symptom, remind them about Jess’ rule. This encourages GPs to ‘reflect, review and rethink’, particularly if:
- You still have the symptoms
- They have got worse
- They are unexplained
Take a look at our Spot Leukaemia campaign to find out what we’re doing to help the public and GPs spot the signs of leukaemia sooner.
Sources
We used an AI tool to help identify relevant evidence sources for this webpage, such as scientific journals and clinical guidelines. A human checked the reliability of these sources.
Sources we used to develop this information
Black GB, Boswell L, Harris J, Whitaker KL. What causes delays in diagnosing blood cancers? A rapid review of the evidence. Primary Health Care Research & Development. 2023 Jan;24:e26. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/S1463423623000129
Clarke RT, Jones CH, Mitchell CD, Thompson MJ. ‘Shouting from the roof tops’: a qualitative study of how children with leukaemia are diagnosed in primary care. BMJ Open. 2014 Feb;4(2):e004640. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2013-004640
Clarke RT, Van den Bruel A, Bankhead C, Mitchell CD, Phillips B, Thompson MJ. Clinical presentation of childhood leukaemia: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Archives of Disease in Childhood. 2016 Oct 1;101(10):894-901. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1136/archdischild-2016-311251
Falk N, Joseph R, Dieujuste M. Lymphadenopathy: evaluation and differential diagnosis. American Family Physician. 2025 Sep;112(3):286-93.
Gaddey HL, Riegel AM. Unexplained lymphadenopathy: evaluation and differential diagnosis. American Family Physician. 2016 Dec 1;94(11):896-903.
Howell DA, Smith AG, Jack A, Patmore R, Macleod U, Mironska E, Roman E. Time-to-diagnosis and symptoms of myeloma, lymphomas and leukaemias: a report from the Haematological Malignancy Research Network. BMC Blood Disorders. 2013 Oct 31;13(1):9. DOI https://doi.org/10.1186/2052-1839-13-9
National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). Clinical Knowledge Summary: Haematological cancers - recognition and referral. Revised 2025. Available at: https://cks.nice.org.uk/topics/haematological-cancers-recognition-referral/ [Accessed May 2026]
National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). Suspected cancer: recognition and referral. NICE guideline NG12. 23 June 2015; updated 25 April 2026. Available at: https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng12 [Accessed May 2026]
NHS cancer programme: faster diagnosis framework. November 2022. Available at: https://www.england.nhs.uk/publication/cancer-programme-faster-diagnosis-framework/ [Accessed May 2026]
NHS England. National Cancer Patient Experience Survey 2024. Available at: https://www.ncpes.co.uk/latest-national-results/ [Accessed May 2026]
NHS Scotland. Scottish referral guidelines (SRGs) for suspected cancer: Haematological cancers. Available at: https://www.rightdecisions.scot.nhs.uk/scottish-referral-guidelines-srgs-for-suspected-cancer/haematological-cancers/ [Accessed May 2026]
Willard-Mack CL. Normal structure, function, and histology of lymph nodes. Toxicologic pathology. 2006 Aug;34(5):409-24.
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Page last reviewed: 10 September 2026
Updated September 2026
Next review due: 30 September 2029
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