Lymph Node
Also known as: lymph gland
Small bean-shaped immune organs that filter lymph fluid and often show the first signs of cancer spread.
Definition
Lymph nodes are small bean-shaped organs scattered throughout the body — in the neck, armpit, chest, abdomen and groin — that filter lymphatic fluid and house immune cells. Cancers commonly spread first through the lymphatic system, so the nodes draining a tumour are routinely examined to see whether the disease has moved beyond its starting site.
Involved lymph nodes can be identified on examination, on ultrasound, CT or PET-CT, and confirmed by FNAC or biopsy. The number and location of positive nodes is a key part of TNM staging and strongly influences treatment.
See also
- Lymphoma — A cancer of the lymphatic system, which is part of the body's immune defence.
- Lymphedema — Swelling of a limb caused by build-up of lymph fluid after lymph nodes are removed or damaged.
- TNM Staging — The international system that describes cancer by tumour size (T), node involvement (N) and metastasis (M).
- Metastasis — Cancer that has spread from where it started to another part of the body.
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Medically reviewed by
Dr. Rehan Abdullah
Dr. Rehan Abdullah is a dual-trained clinical and radiation oncologist with over a decade of experience treating both solid tumours and hematologic malignancies. He serves as Consultant Oncologist at INMOL Hospital and sees patients at Farooq Hospital and Healthnox Medical Center, Lahore. Read full profile →
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