Australian Dental Council (ADC) Practice Test

Tender, fixed lymph nodes are often associated with oral cancer due to the nature of cancerous growths and their tendency to invade surrounding tissues. In cases of oral malignancies, lymph nodes in the regional area may become involved as the cancer progresses. These affected lymph nodes typically become enlarged, tender, and fixed to the surrounding structures because the cancer can infiltrate and adhere to adjacent tissues, preventing the nodes from being mobile.

In contrast, non-tender lymph nodes are more commonly associated with benign conditions or certain types of systemic diseases rather than active malignancies. Generalized lymphadenopathy indicates a widespread reaction to infections or systemic diseases, which may not specifically relate to localized cancers like those found in the oral cavity. Normal lymph nodes would indicate healthy tissue, devoid of any inflammatory or neoplastic process, which would not be expected in the context of oral cancer. Therefore, the presence of tender, fixed lymph nodes serves as a significant indicator of more aggressive or advanced disease in oral cancer patients.