![]() ![]() The lymph node is a small organ of the immune system. Lymph nodes can also become enlarged if cancer cells lodge in them. The most common cause of a head or neck mass is an enlarged lymph node located behind and beneath the jaw. Another time when they can be felt is when you have an infection, (for example, a sore throat or an ear infection which can make the neck lymph nodes enlarged, painful and tender as these are the nearest lymph nodes to the site of infection). ![]() However, sometimes they can be felt in slim people as smooth pea-sized lumps, usually in the groin. Lymph nodes are usually too small to feel. Lymph nodes can only be felt in certain areas of the body (see Figure 1): The lymph nodes filter out harmful organisms and abnormal cells before the lymph reaches the blood stream. Multiple lumps: cancerous lymph nodes often appear in groups (although some patients may have a single lump). Common places include the neck, under the jaw, armpit, and groin. Multiple locations: lumps that appear in multiple locations. They are found at intervals along the lymphatic vessels like ‘beads on a string’. Accompanying symptoms: lumps accompanied by additional symptoms such as fevers, night sweats, and weight loss. Lymph nodes (‘glands’) are small ‘bean-shaped’ nodules that contain millions of infection fighting lymphocyte cells. Symptoms can include: a lump in the neck, due to the cancer spreading to the lymph nodes (small glands that are part of the immune system) in the neck. Its one of the rarest types of head and neck cancer in the UK. It drains into lymphatic vessels then larger lymphatic vessels called ducts in the neck before joining the blood stream near the heart (see Figure 1). Nasopharyngeal cancer affects the part of the throat that connects the back of the nose to the back of the mouth. Lymph fluid bathes the cells of the skin and internal organs. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |