Lymph Glands

Lymph glands or lymph nodes are the most important components of the immune system. It is within these glands that immune cells, lymphocytes, exist. These glands are spread throughout the body, with some concentration in the following areas:

• Neck

• Under the arms

• Groins

• Inside the chest

• Inside the abdomen and pelvis

These nodes are the primary sites of barrier to the spread of illnesses, such as infections, cancers, etc. Most commonly, when a disease spreads to a lymph gland, it causes a reaction and enlargement of the gland. Any enlarged lymph gland indicates a problem.

When infections spread to these glands, the reaction and enlargement is rather rapid, a matter of days, and is accompanied by pain. A painful gland normally indicates infection.

When cancers spread to these glands, the reaction is gradual and normally pain-free.

Once suspected of harboring cancer, the lymph node must be biopsied and be evaluated by a Pathologist. First step in biopsying the abnormal and enlarged nodes is to perform a fine needle aspiration (FNA) biopsy .  If the results of FNA is non conclusive the lymph node must be removed surgically and be properly studied. Core biopsies of lymph nodes may also provide additional information, avoiding a surgical biopsy.

Sentinel node sampling and biopsy may identify the first-draining lymph node in melanoma and breast cancer and possibly in other cancers.  Sampling of this node is felt to be indicative of the spread of tumor to regional nodes.  If this node does not harbor any cancer cells, the odds are that the cancer has not spread to other nodes.

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