Symptom 9: Enlarged Lymph Nodes
Lymph nodes, small bean-shaped structures scattered throughout our body, are the unsung heroes of our immune system. They act as filters, trapping harmful substances like bacteria, viruses, and even rogue cancer cells. While they’re often silent and unnoticeable, there are moments when they swell up and demand our attention. One of the triggers for such swelling can be sarcomatoid carcinoma.
Under usual circumstances, lymph nodes act as defense outposts, ensuring that harmful pathogens don’t spread throughout the body. But when they swell, it’s a sign that they’re working overtime. In the context of sarcomatoid carcinoma, these swollen nodes could signify that cancer cells have migrated from the primary tumor site, finding refuge in the lymph nodes.
Swollen lymph nodes due to sarcomatoid carcinoma may initially present as a slight bulge beneath the skin, typically painless. Depending on their location – be it the neck, armpits, or groin – they might become more palpable and visible as the disease progresses. Unlike infections, where lymph nodes are tender and often accompanied by other symptoms, in cancer scenarios, they tend to be firmer and less movable. (9)
