Should swollen lymph nodes be surgically removed? It depends, oncologist says

It can be a bit alarming, noticing swollen bumps on certain areas of your body that definitely weren't there before.

These are swollen lymph nodes — kulani in Tagalog — appear usually on the neck, under the chin, in the armpits and the groin.

"Ang kulani ay isang lumaking lymph node. Lymph node is normal organ ng katawan na tumutulong sa katawan, na tumutulong sa infection at panlaban din sa cancer," said oncologist Dr. Isaac David Ampil II.

"Pag yan ay lumaki because of the infection and the cancer, lumalaki nagiging parang bukol. Hindi siya actually bukol. Siya ay isang enlarged na organ sa katawan," he added.

Should these lumps be surgically removed? Ampil said that it depends whether the swelling is caused by infection or cancer.

If the swollen lymph node is caused by infection, then it usually goes back to normal once the infection is resolved.

However, it's a different story if it's caused by cancer.

"Kung ang cause niyan ay cancer, yan ay usually kailangan tanggalin o i-biopsy. So para malaman, usually yung mga kulani na dahil sa cancer, yan ang mga matitigas, mabilis ang paglaki," he said.

It might be a cancerous lymph node if the bump is firm and solid. — Jessica Bartolome/LA, GMA News