Lymphadenopathy study

Recruiting

Who can enter

• Children with enlarged lymph nodes

• Age: 0-18 years

Goal

The goal of this study is to collect data and do an additional blood analysis in children who come to the hospital because of an enlarged lymph node. With this data, we want to create a tool that will help pediatricians to predict the cause of the enlarged lymph node better and faster in the future.

Background

An enlarged lymph node is common in children and adolescents. In most cases, the cause is not serious and it is caused, for example, by a cold or inflammation of the lymph node. However, sometimes the lymph node can be enlarged due to a form of lymph node cancer. The cause of the enlarged lymph node can be difficult to recognize with physical examination, standard blood tests and imaging. To be sure, patients often have to undergo surgery that removes the entire lymph node or a biopsy. Too often patients are unnecessarily referred to a specialized hospital. Uncertainty about the cause of an enlarged gland also gives children and parents a lot of stress until the diagnosis is known.

We would like to be able to predict better and faster in which children the cause is serious and in which children it is not. Therefore, we want to collect data from a large group of children and take additional blood measurements. With this data, we want to develop a tool that can predict the cause of the enlarged lymph nodes in future patients. As a result, fewer children will need surgery in the future. Moreover, fewer children will be unnecessarily referred to a specialized hospital and children and parents will experience less stress while waiting for the diagnosis.

In order to participate in a study please refer to your/your child’s doctor.

Last reviewed

October 16, 2025

The above information is intended as a brief summary only and may not reflect the most up-to-date information. For full details and the current status of a protocol, physicians can contact the Princess Máxima Center directly.