oral cancer sergery and lymph nodes are swelling

Hello and thank you for posting your medical question on E health forum.

The oral cavity is very well supplied with blood (Highly vascular). Post surgery, the healing process and the presence of inflammation may cause some lymph nodes to persistently remain enlarged.

Additional information regarding the timing of surgery, type of cancer that was treated, and the findings on physical examination will help to know the exact cause of the enlarged nodes.

For your knowledge here are some features to differentiate lymph nodes.

Nodes that are enlarged and painful to touch or pressure indicate inflammatory nodes.

Nodes that are enlarged, rubbery, painless could be due to systemic disorders, chronic infections, STDs (Syphilis), and neoplasia (benign or malignant).

In case of doubts, you might seek a opinion of your treating doctor, who may opt for a biopsy of the lymph node. This will give a definitive diagnosis.

I hope this helps.