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Lymph nodes are located
throughout the body and are connected by a series of ducts, all of which
make up the lymphatic system. The lymphatic system is responsible
for the drainage of interstitial fluids, which are fluids located
outside cells. The body’s response against foreign material relies on
the lymphatic system a great deal. While lymph nodes are located all
over the body, the lymph nodes in the groin, armpits and under the chin
are the ones associated with swelling most often. Fluid that drains from
the head, arms and legs are collected in these nodes. The production of
antibodies and macrophages that foreign materials are engulfed by is
done by lymphocytes contained in these lymph nodes. Swollen lymph
nodes indicate that a bacterial or viral infection is present in the
lymph node or sometimes a more serious condition like cancer could be
present.
A swollen lymph node typically appears secondary to an
infection such as a cold that has already occurred. A cut or burn that
breaks the skin’s integrity and results in infection can also lead to
swollen lymph nodes. It is not always directly noticeable when lymph
nodes found deeper in the body become swollen but problems can result if
they block the ducts ability to drain. The area the ducts serve will
become swollen when this occurs which is typically the first sign there
is a swollen lymph node in the body’s interior.
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The treatment of swollen lymph nodes is usually to help fight off the
cause of the infection in the lymph node. Antiviral medications or
antibiotics can help. Also, making sure nutrition levels and water
consumption are maintained since the immune systems proper functioning
relies on these. The resolution of the swollen lymph node typically
occurs before the relief of the infection’s other symptoms.
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Cancer is the most
dangerous cause of a swollen lymph node. Swollen lymph nodes will
directly result from three types of cancer. Cancer of the lymphocytes
found inside the swollen gland is the first two causes. Non-Hodgkin’s
lymphoma and Hodgkin’s disease are the names of these types of cancers.
The prognosis and treatment are different for these two types of cancer
even though they affect the same cell type.
A secondary tumor is the final cancer type that can
result in swollen lymph nodes. When a cancerous tumor located somewhere
else in the body has cells that break off from the main tumor and travel
through the lymph system, later becoming lodged in the lymph node and
grow there as a new, secondary tumor. The cells present in the tumor
will be the same type of cells as those in the primary tumor and not of
lymphocytes normally found in the lymph node. Chemotherapy, radiotherapy
and surgery are included among cancer treatments.
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