Lymph nodes are very important elements of our immune system. They are small, round or oval in shape and have a soft consistency. A capsule consisting of connective tissue covers them. They are located in various parts of the body and are connected to each other through lymph channels. Inside the lymph nodes are very important cells of the immune system. These cells fight against substances that try to harm the body, capture and destroy them. Lymph nodes are located either deep in the body (in the lungs, abdomen) or superficially under the skin. Since the ones on the surface are covered with skin, they are normally not noticed by the eye, but if they swell and enlarge in case of illness, they can be noticed and felt by touch. Lymph nodes are located regionally. Each of them has a certain area that they are responsible for protecting. In this way, they resemble police stations established by the army to ensure security. Superficial lymph nodes are located on the nape of the neck, in front of the ear, behind the ear, on the neck, both right and left, in the pit above the collarbone, in the armpit, in the elbow, in the groin, on the upper thigh, and in the knee pit. There are many diseases that cause lymph nodes to swell. Regardless of the cause, infection-inflammatory reaction or cancer, when the lymph node is activated, enlargement occurs. Let's briefly look at the diseases that cause lymph nodes to enlarge:
Cancer: When people see lymph node enlargement in themselves or their relatives, cancer is the disease group that they fear the most and pray for not to happen. Some lymphomas (lymph node cancers) and leukemias (blood cancers) cause systemic lymph node enlargement. Cancers of organs such as thyroid, larynx, liver, large intestine, stomach, uterus, ovaries and breast can also spread to regional or distant lymph nodes (in medical terms, this is called lymphatic metastasis-lymphatic spread).
Effects. (microbial diseases):In this group, we mostly encounter infections caused by viruses, especially upper respiratory tract infections. Infectious diseases such as monoucleosis (kissing disease), chickenpox, measles, rubella, herpes, AIDS and many other viruses cause swelling in the regional lymph nodes. Apart from viruses, some bacteria (such as typhoid-tuberculosis), parasites and fungi also infect the lymph nodes. They cause growth.
Immune system disorders:Inflammatory reactions that occur in immune system disorders can cause swelling in the lymph nodes. Connective tissue diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and lupus disease, and some medications such as phenytoin (an epilepsy drug) and isoniacid (a tuberculosis drug) negatively affect the immune system and enlarge the lymph nodes. Storage diseases:Storage diseases (e.g. Gaucher Disease), which cause deterioration in the liver and many internal organs due to starch and fat storage, are another group of diseases that cause lymph node enlargement.
Which is the most common disease? Lymph node enlargements are seen in these areas and which diseases do these enlargements indicate?
Lymph node swelling in the head and neck area: Tonsillitis, throat infection, ear infection, tooth abscess, infected wounds of the head and neck skin or scalp, thyroid gland cancer, lymph gland cancer, blood cancer.
Lymph node at the base of the neck: Fungus, lice, rubella, insect bite.
Armpit lymph nodes: Breast cancer, lymph node cancer, some types of blood cancer, hair follicle inflammation, cat scratch disease, sweat gland inflammation (dog udders), trauma, brucella disease, soft tissue infection in the arm or hand.
Inguinal lymph nodes:Genital area infections and cancers, lymph node cancers, urinary tract infections, fungal infections in the legs and feet.
When a lymph node enlargement is observed, a specialist physician's opinion should be sought. Depending on the situation, pathological examination from bacterial-virus studies, ultrasonography, computed tomography, lymph node biopsy and biopsy may be performed. Its treatment is by treating the disease that causes enlargement of the lymph node.
Dear readers, I wish you a disease-free, problem-free, healthy, happy and long life.
Read: 0
