[Lymphadenopathy in general practice]

Abstract

Lymphadenopathy (painfull or enlarged lymph nodes) is a common reason for consulting a physician working in primary or secondary health care. Lymphadenopathy can be the reason for consultation, but can also be observed in patients who present with other complaints. The differential diagnosis is very broad and varies from self-limiting benign disorders, where a wait-and-see policy is sufficient, to a more serious and life-threatening disease for which no further delay is warranted. In daily practice it can sometimes be challenging to determine which policy is indicated. In this article, we propose tools in order to assist the primary care physician to determine which policy is needed in patients presenting with lymphadenopathy.