18. Swollen lymph nodes
We mentioned that some lymph nodes could be taken in advanced lung cancer as one of the first types of metastasis. These are the mediastinal lymph nodes, which are located in the midline. These lymph nodes are important to protect the lungs from infections, and that’s how they are invaded by cancer cells. You can’t see swollen lymph nodes, which can cause respiratory difficulty, stridor, or dysphagia. They can be seen in imaging tests because they are very deep inside the thorax.