cardiovascular disorders
Lymphadenopathy
Etiology of Lymphadenopathy
Because lymph nodes participate in the body's immune response, a large number of infectious and inflammatory disorders and cancers are potential causes (see table). Only the more common causes are discussed here. Causes most likely vary depending on patient age, associated findings, and risk factors, but overall themost common causesare Idiopathic, self-limited Upper respiratory infections (URI) Local soft-tissue infections Themost dangerous causesare Cancer HIV infection Tuberculosis (TB) However, most cases represent benign disorders or clinically obvious local infections. Probably < 1% of undifferentiated cases presenting for primary care involve cancer. 