Groin lump

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Lymphatic system

Swollen lymph nodes in the groin

Lump in the groin

Follow the therapy prescribed by your health care provider.

• There are groin lumps that stay more than 3 weeks
• An unexplained groin lump is present

The medical history will be obtained and a physical examination performed.

Medical history questions documenting your symptom in detail may include:

• Time pattern
  • When did the lump develop?
  • Did it occur suddenly or develop slowly?
  • Is it always present or does it come and go?
• Location
  • Is it on one side or both?
  • How big is it?
• Other
  • Does it get larger when coughing or straining?
  • What is the sexual history (detailed questions may be asked)?
  • Has there been any unusual physical activity recently?
  • What other symptoms are also present?

The physical examination may include palpation (touch) of lymph nodes in the groin and elsewhere. A genital or pelvic examination may be performed. Diagnostic tests that may be performed include:

• Liver function tests
• Kidney function tests
• Liver-spleen scan
• Lymph node biopsy
• Routine blood studies such as a CBC or blood differential
• Test for syphilis, HIV, or other sexually-transmitted diseases 

Treatments may include antibiotics. For a hernia, surgery may be recommended.

Review Date: 11/02/2005
Reviewed By: Kenneth Wener, M.D., Division of Infectious Diseases, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.