My Chest X-ray Came Back Showing Enlarged Lymph Nodes, Could This Be A Sign Of Lung Cancer?

Usually swollen lymph nodes are caused by an infection of some kind. The lymph glands near to an infection swell quickly and become tender as the immune system 'fights off' infecting germs (bacteria, virus, etc). The lymph glands usually go back to their normal pea size when the infection is over. It can take a week or so for them gradually to go back to normal after the infection.

It is worth considering that your doctor would inform you immediately if it was felt the swollen lymph nodes were expected to be cancerous. However, if you are worried about anything it is always best to make an appointment with your GP, as it is not possible to correctly diagnose the problem without proper investigation and so I would advise talking to your doctor about your specific worries.

In general, swollen lymph nodes can be a sign of some cancers. The cause of this is sometimes cells from a cancer can break off and metastasise (spread) to nearby lymph glands via the lymph channels. These cancer cells then grow and multiply in the lymph glands and cause the glands to swell. For example: Breast cancer may spread to the lymph glands in the armpit, throat cancer may spread to lymph glands in the neck, lung and gut cancers may spread to lymph glands that you usually cannot see or feel in the abdomen and chest, cancer of the lymphatic and blood systems (lymphomas and leukemias) can cause many lymph glands to swell. In general, swollen lymph glands due to cancers, lymphomas and leukemias develop more slowly than those due to infections. They also tend to be painless at first.

Have it checked immediately. Lymph glands absorb any type of infection and they try to prevent the infection from spreading to other parts of your body. My husband was recently diagnosed with esophageal cancer...had trouble swallowing and has a tumor in the mid to lower part of the esophagus.

This cancer is most common in men - older and smoking & drinking can be factors (or environmental depending on the type of work you did). Have a complete examination to find out why the lymph glands are swollen.

The infection on chest can cause swollen lymph nodes. Because the lymph nodes are small swellings of lymphatic system. The lung cancer has some more symptoms. If your cough is not going with medicine and you are having high amount of sputum the you suspect an lung cancer. But the lymph nodes swell at the 2nd or 3rd stage of lung cancer. You have not mentioned your complete symptoms. To diagnose lung cancer, some more informations are required.