Lymphatic System

Lymph nodes are part of a large network called the lymphatic system. This network moves fluid (called lymph) and cells around the body. Lymphatic vessels (pipe-like structures) are present throughout the body. When cancer cells migrate away (metastasize) from a tumor to neighboring or distant parts of the body, they can travel in one of three main ways. 1) they can just move to nearby tissues and spread by contact with neighboring organs, 2) they can enter a blood vessel and move through the circulatory system to a new location, or 3) they can invade a lymphatic vessel and travel in the lymphatic system to a new location.

As described in more detail in another answer, the lymphatic system is a network of vessels that drain fluid from our tissues. The fluid from any particular area gets drained into specific collection sites, or lymph nodes. When cancer is removed, surgeons will frequently remove some (or all) of the lymph nodes that are likely to have collected fluid from the area of the tumor. They can then look at the lymph nodes to see if any cancer cells have migrated to there. If they find cancer cells in the lymph nodes it means that the cancer MAY have also gone to other places in the body. It does not mean that the cancer has spread, but it does make it more likely. The information is used to design treatment plans and make sure that any cancer cells that may have left the original area are also treated.

Learn more about the lymphatic system and watch a video on lymph node biopsy: http://www.cancerquest.org/lymphedema-introduction Lymph nodes are part of a large network called the lymphatic system. This network moves fluid (called lymph) and cells around the body. Lymphatic vessels (pipe-like structures) are present throughout the body. When cancer cells migrate away (metastasize) from a tumor to neighboring or distant parts of the body, they can travel in one of three main ways. 1) they can just move to nearby tissues and spread by contact with neighboring organs, 2) they can enter a blood vessel and move through the circulatory system to a new location, or 3) they can invade a lymphatic vessel and travel in the lymphatic system to a new location.

As described in more detail in another answer, the lymphatic system is a network of vessels that drain fluid from our tissues. The fluid from any particular area gets drained into specific collection sites, or lymph nodes. When cancer is removed, surgeons will frequently remove some (or all) of the lymph nodes that are likely to have collected fluid from the area of the tumor. They can then look at the lymph nodes to see if any cancer cells have migrated to there. If they find cancer cells in the lymph nodes it means that the cancer MAY have also gone to other places in the body. It does not mean that the cancer has spread, but it does make it more likely. The information is used to design treatment plans and make sure that any cancer cells that may have left the original area are also treated.

Learn more about the lymphatic system and watch a video on lymph node biopsy: http://www.cancerquest.org/lymphedema-introduction

There are two systems for moving fluid and cells around our bodies. The two systems have a lot in common and are actually made up of similar types of cells and tube-like structures. The circulatory system carries the blood and moves red cells, white cells and platelets. Its job is to deliver nutrients and oxygen to the many trillions of cells that make up our tissues and organs. This system also carries away waste products from those cells.

The second system is the lymphatic system. The lymphatic system is very complex and found throughout the entire body. The lymphatic system has two main functions. The first is to collect fluid that leaks out of the circulatory system (which prevents swelling) and the second is as a 'home' for many cells of the immune system. White blood cells, T cells and B cells, are also called lymphocytes. This is because they spend much of their time in floating in the fluid found in lymphatic vessels (called lymph).

Like a vast network of small creeks that drain into larger streams, rivers and ultimately an ocean, the lymphatic system collects fluid from all over the body and delivers it to collections of specialized structures called lymph nodes. Lymph nodes are specialized tissues where T and B cells reproduce, mature and become activated to fight infection and cancer. Ultimately, the lymph fluid gets returned to the circulatory system (the two systems are physically connected to each other) and the whole process restarts.

Learn more about the lymphatic system: http://www.cancerquest.org/lymphatic-system-introduction
Learn more about the immune system: http://www.cancerquest.org/immune-system-introduction
Watch a video/aniamtion about lymph node biopsies: http://www.cancerquest.org/sentinel-lymph-node-biopsy There are two systems for moving fluid and cells around our bodies. The two systems have a lot in common and are actually made up of similar types of cells and tube-like structures. The circulatory system carries the blood and moves red cells, white cells and platelets. Its job is to deliver nutrients and oxygen to the many trillions of cells that make up our tissues and organs. This system also carries away waste products from those cells.

The second system is the lymphatic system. The lymphatic system is very complex and found throughout the entire body. The lymphatic system has two main functions. The first is to collect fluid that leaks out of the circulatory system (which prevents swelling) and the second is as a 'home' for many cells of the immune system. White blood cells, T cells and B cells, are also called lymphocytes. This is because they spend much of their time in floating in the fluid found in lymphatic vessels (called lymph).

Like a vast network of small creeks that drain into larger streams, rivers and ultimately an ocean, the lymphatic system collects fluid from all over the body and delivers it to collections of specialized structures called lymph nodes. Lymph nodes are specialized tissues where T and B cells reproduce, mature and become activated to fight infection and cancer. Ultimately, the lymph fluid gets returned to the circulatory system (the two systems are physically connected to each other) and the whole process restarts.

Learn more about the lymphatic system: http://www.cancerquest.org/lymphatic-system-introduction
Learn more about the immune system: http://www.cancerquest.org/immune-system-introduction
Watch a video/aniamtion about lymph node biopsies: http://www.cancerquest.org/sentinel-lymph-node-biopsy

Lymph nodes are part of the lymphatic system, a complex network of tubes (vessels) and grape-like clusters of lymph nodes. Fluid that leaks out of blood vessels is collected into the lymphatic system. The fluid (called lymph) flows from smaller vessels into larger ones and passes through lymph nodes before being returned to the blood circulation.

Lymph nodes have several functions. Some of our immune cells develop and can multiply in lymph nodes. Cells that spend much of their time in the lymphatic system are called lymphocytes (cyte=cell). There are two major kinds of lymphocytes and they are commonly called T lymphocytes (T cells) and B lymphocytes (B cells). They both work to fight infection and can also fight cancer. Foreign objects like bacteria and viruses enter the lymphatic system where they encounter lymphocytes. This triggers a response in the T and B cells, causing them to become active and reproduce.

In cancer diagnosis, lymph nodes are often important for a different reason. The lymphatic system is found nearly everywhere in the body. When cancer cells move (metastasize) from one location to another, they can use the lymphatic system as a type of highway to migrate around the body. When a tumor is detected, nearby lymph nodes are frequently removed and examined for the presence of cancer cells. IF they are are there, it means that the cancer has been able to spread to that location and MAY be in other locations (it does NOT mean that the cancer MUST be in other locations). Also, only a small number of lymph nodes are examined. The test is not perfect (no medical test is).

Learn more about the lymphatic system. http://www.cancerquest.org/lymphatic-system-introduction
Learn more about the immune system and cancer. http://www.cancerquest.org/immune-system-cancer
Learn more about sentinel lymph node biopsy. http://www.cancerquest.org/sentinel-lymph-node-biopsy Lymph nodes are part of the lymphatic system, a complex network of tubes (vessels) and grape-like clusters of lymph nodes. Fluid that leaks out of blood vessels is collected into the lymphatic system. The fluid (called lymph) flows from smaller vessels into larger ones and passes through lymph nodes before being returned to the blood circulation.

Lymph nodes have several functions. Some of our immune cells develop and can multiply in lymph nodes. Cells that spend much of their time in the lymphatic system are called lymphocytes (cyte=cell). There are two major kinds of lymphocytes and they are commonly called T lymphocytes (T cells) and B lymphocytes (B cells). They both work to fight infection and can also fight cancer. Foreign objects like bacteria and viruses enter the lymphatic system where they encounter lymphocytes. This triggers a response in the T and B cells, causing them to become active and reproduce.

In cancer diagnosis, lymph nodes are often important for a different reason. The lymphatic system is found nearly everywhere in the body. When cancer cells move (metastasize) from one location to another, they can use the lymphatic system as a type of highway to migrate around the body. When a tumor is detected, nearby lymph nodes are frequently removed and examined for the presence of cancer cells. IF they are are there, it means that the cancer has been able to spread to that location and MAY be in other locations (it does NOT mean that the cancer MUST be in other locations). Also, only a small number of lymph nodes are examined. The test is not perfect (no medical test is).

Learn more about the lymphatic system. http://www.cancerquest.org/lymphatic-system-introduction
Learn more about the immune system and cancer. http://www.cancerquest.org/immune-system-cancer
Learn more about sentinel lymph node biopsy. http://www.cancerquest.org/sentinel-lymph-node-biopsy