Overview
Lymph nodes swell with infections and some cancers.
Weight loss of more than 10% without trying is a warning sign.
When to get medical care
Causes
Causes include infections, lymphoma, leukemia, and autoimmune diseases.
OwieClear has pages on 6 conditions that can cause drenching night sweats, fevers, or weight loss with swollen glands. Each shows how soon to get care.
Common causes
- Non-Hodgkin lymphomaSee a doctor if it doesn't get better
A group of cancers of the lymph system that start in B or T lymphocytes.
- AIDS-related lymphomaOften needs care today
Lymphoma that happens in people with HIV, especially when the immune system is weak.
- Hodgkin lymphomaSee a doctor if it doesn't get better
A cancer of the lymph system, most common in young adults and people over 55.
- Lymphoma (needs checking)See a doctor if it doesn't get better
Cancer of the lymph system.
Less likely causes
- Primary effusion lymphomaOften needs care today
A rare lymphoma that grows as fluid in the chest, belly, or around the heart, caused by the HHV-8 virus.
- Primary mediastinal large B-cell lymphomaOften needs care today
A fast-growing lymphoma in the middle of the chest, usually in young women.
What you can do at home
- Track fevers and weight.
Medicines
Depends on cause.
At the doctor
Tests look for the cause.
Questions you may be asked
- Symptoms
- Travel
- Exposures
The exam
A lymph node exam.
Tests
- Blood tests
- Imaging
- Biopsy
Prevention
Early care helps.
- Get checked early
Check your symptoms
Most symptoms have more than one possible cause. The symptom checker looks at all of your symptoms together, plus your age, and shows how soon to get care.
Sources
Last updated 2026-11-13.