My lymph nodes are swollen on my PET/MRI; does this mean the cancer has spread?

Reviewed by the Medical Editorial Board on

Not necessarily. Swollen or active lymph nodes on a PET or MRI scan do not automatically mean the cancer has spread. Lymph nodes can also react to things like infection, inflammation, or a recent vaccination.

A careful review of the images, along with your medical history, may help better understand what the findings suggest.

Treatment decisions should always be made with your oncology team, who know your full clinical picture.

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