Hello Thank you for placing your query with Health Care Magic The most common cause for a lymph node enlargement is reactive (that means it enlarges as a response to some other infection in the ear, nose or throat region). The other common cause especially if you are from a developing nation is tuberculosis. Then there are many other causes including a cancer. However a lymph node which has been there for a long time with out any increase in size and no other major symptom is most likely reactive. You should consult a pediatric surgeon or pediatrician. A fair amount of information can be achieved on clinical examination also. The size of the lymph node, the feel of it, whether single or multiple, all provide clues to the reasons. If it appears reactive then the treating doctor may prescribe a course of antibiotics for the underlying infection. The size may or may not decrease immediately. However if it is not increasing, then its not a cause of concern. If there is any doubt or the size increases we can go for an FNAC, that is a needle will be inserted in the node and the material obtained will be sent for examination (Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology: FNAC). If that too is inconclusive, the pediatric surgeon may need to take a biopsy (that will require anaesthesia). The lymph node per se is not at all a problem. Its the cause we need to tackle. Mostly it is reactive so you should stop worrying. Hope that helped. God bless you