The described lymphatic system has hundreds of lymph nodes in the human body. According to the American Cancer Society, they are located deep in the body, such as around the lungs and heart, or closer to the surface, such as under the arm or groin. Lymph nodes are the area from the head to the knee.
According to the National Library of Medicine (NLM), the spleen is located above the left kidney of the body and is the largest lymphatic organ. "It's like a blood filter," said Jordan Knowlton, a senior registered nurse at the University of Florida Health Cabin Hospital. It controls the number of red blood cells and blood storage in the body and helps to fight infection. Or other microorganisms in the blood, together with lymph nodes, produce a kind of white blood cells called lymphocytes as a barrier against intruders. Lymphocytes produce antibodies, kill foreign microorganisms and prevent the spread of infection. Although people who have lost their spleen due to illness or injury are more susceptible to infection, humans can survive without spleen.
The lymphatic system helps to keep healthy by eliminating infections and diseases. (Information Cartographer Ross Toro) According to Merck's manual, the thymus is located in the chest above the heart. This small organ stores immature lymphocytes (specialized white blood cells) and converts them into active T cells, which helps to destroy infections or cancer cells. Tonsils are large clusters of lymphocytes found in pharynx. According to the American Academy of Otolaryngology, they are "the first line of defense as part of the immune system". They sample bacteria and viruses that enter the human body through the mouth or nose. "They are sometimes infected. Although the incidence of tonsillectomy today is much lower than that in 1950s, it is still one of the most common operations, usually accompanied by frequent throat infections.
Lymph is a transparent and colorless liquid; The word "lymph" comes from the Latin word "lymph", meaning "connected with water, according to the national lymphedema network,
Once plasma has delivered nutrients and removed debris, it will leave human cells. Most of these fluids return to venous circulation through small blood vessels called venules and continue to become venous blood. According to the Mayo Clinic, the rest turned into lymph,
Unlike blood, blood flows all over the body in a continuous cycle, and lymph only flows in one direction-upward to the neck. Lymphatic vessels are connected with subclavian veins, which are located on both sides of the neck near the clavicle, and the fluid re-enters the circulatory system. According to the Mayo Clinic,
Lymphatic diseases and disorders Lymphatic diseases and disorders are usually treated by immunologists. Vascular surgeons, dermatologists, oncologists and physiotherapists are also involved in the treatment of various lymphatic diseases. There are also lymphedema treatment experts who specialize in artificial drainage of lymphatic system.
The most common diseases of lymphatic system are lymphadenopathy (also known as lymphadenopathy) and swelling caused by lymph node obstruction (also known as kn). Dr James Hamrick, director of oncology and hematology at Kaiser Permanente in Atlanta, said that lymph nodes themselves are lymphedema, which is a cancer involving the lymphatic system.
When bacteria are identified in lymph, lymph nodes will produce more anti-infective white blood cells, which will cause swelling. Enlarged lymph nodes can sometimes feel the neck, armpits and groin. According to NLM,
Lymphadenopathy is usually caused by infection, inflammation or cancer. Infections that cause lymphadenopathy include bacterial infections, such as strep throat, locally infected skin wounds, or viral infections, such as mononucleosis or HIV infection. Hamrick said that lymphadenopathy may be confined to the infected site, such as strep throat, or more broadly, such as HIV infection. In some areas of the body, swollen lymph nodes can be felt, while other areas can be felt and seen on CT scan or MRI.
When inflammation or autoimmune state occurs, a person's immune system is active and may lead to lymph node enlargement. According to Hamrick, this may happen in lupus.
Lymphoma:
It refers to lymph node cancer. Occurs when lymphocytes grow and multiply uncontrollably. According to Dr. Jeffrey P.Sharman, research director of Willamette Valley Cancer Institute and medical director of hematology research of American Cancer Network, there are many different types of lymphoma.
"The first branch point is the difference between Hodgkin's lymphoma and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL)," Shaman said. According to the Lymphoma Research Foundation, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma is more common in these two types of lymphoma.
The most common type is follicular type, accounting for about 30% of all NHL cases; Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) accounts for 40% to 50% of NHL cases. Burkitt's lymphoma accounts for about 5% of the national medical insurance cases. "The remaining cases constitute the confusing complexity of NHL," Shaman said. Shaman said that although there may be great differences in an individual category, the clinical methods of each category are unique, and the expectations of patient outcomes vary from category to category.
Hamrick pointed out that when a person undergoes surgery and/or radiotherapy to eliminate cancer, lymph will flow back to the heart, which may lead to swelling or lymphedema. This situation is most common among women who have undergone breast cancer resection. Part of the operation to remove breast cancer includes axillary lymph nodes.
The more lymph nodes are removed, the higher the risk of chronic annoying swelling and pain caused by arm lymphedema. Fortunately, Hamrick explained, modern surgical techniques have reduced the number of lymph nodes removed, thus reducing the number of cases of severe lymphedema among breast cancer survivors. For example, the VU University Medical Center in Amsterdam studied the Dutch National Pathology Registry from 1990 to 20 16. According to this study, they estimated that the risk of anaplastic large cell lymphoma after breast augmentation was 1/35000 at the age of 50,112000 at the age of 70 and 1/7000 at the age of 75. This study was published in JAMA Journal of Oncology on October 4th, 20 18/KLOC-0. According to the report of Castleman Disease Cooperation Network,
Casselman's disease:
This disease refers to a group of inflammatory diseases that lead to lymphadenopathy and multiple organ dysfunction. Although it is not a special cancer, it is similar to lymphoma and is often treated with chemotherapy. It can be single center (one lymph node) or multi-center involving multiple lymph nodes.
Lymphangiomatosis:
According to the League of Lymphangiomatosis and Gorham's Disease, this disease involves multiple cysts or lymphangiogenesis. But ideas are the result of genetic mutations.
Tonsillar stones are another problem that may occur in the lymphatic system. There is a small fragment on the tonsil, and white blood cells attack the fragment, leaving a hard biofilm and breathing oxygen. However, they are not as smooth as ordinary stones. "On the contrary, they look like cracked plums, where bacteria can gather," said Chetan Ka, a London dentist. Usually tonsil stones will fall off and be swallowed, but sometimes they need to be removed manually.
Hamrick pointed out that the diagnosis and treatment of lymphatic diseases are usually diagnosed when lymph nodes are enlarged. This is found when lymph nodes are swollen enough to be touched ("palpable lymphadenopathy"), or when they are found in CT scans or magnetic resonance imaging and other imaging examinations.
Most swollen lymph nodes are not dangerous; They are the body's way of resisting infection (such as viral upper respiratory infection). It is even more worrying if the lymph nodes are obviously enlarged and last longer than the infection. There is no definite size limit, but lymph nodes that usually last more than one centimeter are worrying and need to be examined by a doctor.
Stephanie Banica, director of oncology surgery at new york Hill Hospital, said that common symptoms of any lymphatic disease include swelling of the arm or groin, weight loss, fever and night sweats. "PET or CAT scanning is usually for further research.
The diagnosis of lymphadenopathy depends on the location of abnormal lymph nodes and other conditions of patients. If the patient has a known infection, he can simply follow up the lymph nodes and wait for the solution of infection treatment. If lymph nodes grow rapidly without obvious explanation, then biopsy is usually needed to find cancer or infection. Hamrick said that if you can feel lymph nodes, you can do it with a needle beside the bed. If the lymph nodes are deep, such as in the abdomen or pelvis, then
Interventional radiologists may need to use image guidance to complete the biopsy and insert the needle into the lymph nodes. Sometimes a biopsy needs to be performed by a surgeon in the operating room. He said that this is usually the place where the most tissues can be obtained for diagnosis.
There are many kinds of lymphoma and leukemia. According to Shaman, each type has its own unique treatment plan. No one has come up with a treatment plan. Treatment options can include traditional chemotherapy, immunotherapy (such as using antibodies or immunomodulatory drugs), and even radiotherapy.
The treatment of lymphatic diseases depends on the root cause of treatment. Infection can be treated with antibiotics, supportive care (when the immune system is working, such as viral infection) or antiviral drugs. Lymphedema can be treated by elevation, compression and physical therapy. Hamrick pointed out that cancer of lymphatic system can be treated by chemotherapy, radiotherapy, surgery or a combination of these methods. In the past few years, Shaman pointed out that new treatment schemes have emerged one after another, and a few newly approved drugs are aimed at the real pathogenic process in cells. Ibrutinib, idelalisib, obinutuzumab and lenalidomide have been approved for different indications, and we are likely to see more cases in the next few years.
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