Cancer Symptoms Definition and Function of Lymph Nodes Lymph nodes and their link to cancer and infection By Blyss Splane Blyss Splane LinkedIn Blyss Splane is a certified operating room nurse working as a freelance content writer and former travel nurse. In 2020, Nurse Splane Writes, LLC, was created and Blyss continues to work as an OR nurse while writing articles for healthcare blogs as a freelance writer. Learn about our editorial process Updated on June 13, 2022 Medically reviewed by Rony Kampalath, MD Medically reviewed by Rony Kampalath, MD Rony Kampalath, MD, is a board-certified diagnostic radiologist specializing in imaging of the abdomen. Learn about our Medical Expert Board Print Table of Contents View All Table of Contents Function Location Swollen Lymph Nodes and Cancer How Lymph Nodes Are Tested Frequently Asked Questions Lymph nodes serve an essential role in protecting the body from infection and cancer. They are located throughout the body. Here's what to know about their role in infections and cancer. BSIP / Universal Images Group / Getty Images Function Everyone has an extensive lymphatic system in their body, which consists of lymph nodes and lymph vessels. The lymph vessels carry a clear fluid called lymph that is collected from tissues throughout the body. Lymph contains cell wastes like cancer cells, bacteria, and viruses. This fluid is filtered by infection-fighting cells within the lymph nodes. These infection-fighting cells, also called white blood cells, destroy these foreign or "bad" cancer and infection-related cells. A sign that immune cells within a lymph node are fighting an infection or cancer is when they enlarge or become swollen. This is called lymphadenopathy, or adenopathy for short. Location Lymph nodes are scattered throughout the body and located in groups, like in the armpit, groin, neck, pelvis, and abdomen. In some areas like the neck, the lymph nodes are located superficially and may be palpated—they feel like a pea or small bean. In other areas, like the abdomen or the chest, lymph nodes are located deeper and cannot be felt. Swollen Lymph Nodes and Cancer Enlarged or swollen lymph nodes can indicate infection, cancer, or another disease that affects the immune system. Most typically, swollen lymph nodes are related to a minor infection that the immune system is fighting. For example, paratracheal lymph nodes in the neck may become swollen and tender with an ear infection, sore throat, or tooth abscess. Once the infection has cleared, swollen lymph nodes shrink back to their normal size. 1:43 Click Play to Learn More About Lymph Nodes This video has been medically reviewed by Benjamin F. Asher, MD Nodes that are immobile, hard, non-tender, and persistently enlarged are suspicious for cancer and should be evaluated by a healthcare provider. If cancer cells are present in a lymph node, they either spread there from the primary tumor—like a breast tumor that spreads to lymph nodes in the armpit—or they originate in the lymph node, and this is called lymphoma. If a person is diagnosed with a solid tumor, whether or not certain lymph nodes are enlarged is an important part of cancer staging, which affects how that cancer is treated. Causes of Swollen Lymph Nodes Are Tonsils Lymph Nodes? Tonsils are considered lymphatic organs and act as lymph nodes, although they are much larger. The spleen—an organ located on the left side of your abdomen—is also a lymphoid organ, although instead of filtering lymph fluid, it filters blood. How Lymph Nodes Are Tested If your healthcare provider is concerned that a lymph node is affected by cancer or infection, they will take a biopsy of the lymph node or remove the entire lymph node. The contents of the lymph node can then be examined under a microscope by a pathologist to see if cancer or infection-related cells are present. Summary Lymph nodes play an essential role in the body's internal defenses against foreign bodies, removing waste from cells, and eliminating cancer cells. While typically small in size, enlarged or swollen lymph nodes can indicate a more serious condition, such as spreading cancer or lymphoma. A Word From Verywell Swollen lymph nodes do not always indicate cancer, but can indicate the body is fighting an infection. If you are feeling concerned about swollen lymph nodes, contact your healthcare provider to rule out any serious illnesses. Frequently Asked Questions What are the signs that you have a cancerous lymph node? Many lymph nodes are deep inside the body and cannot be felt. Superficial lymph nodes may become enlarged or swollen if cancerous.Nodes that are immobile, hard, non-tender, and persistently enlarged are suspicious for cancer and should be evaluated by a healthcare provider. Is cancer in the lymph nodes curable? Cancer can spread from the primary location, such as the breast, to surrounding lymph nodes. The lymph nodes closest to the cancer site are typically called sentinel lymph nodes.Depending on the type of cancer, some areas of cancer are surgically removed, including the lymph nodes. What causes cancer in the lymph nodes? Cancer cells typically migrate to other areas of the body through lymphatic tissues or blood vessels. It is common for cancer to spread to surrounding lymph nodes and then further throughout the body. Cancer in lymph nodes is usually discovered when lymph nodes are biopsied in surgery. 4 Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. American Cancer Society. Lymph nodes and cancer. Lang S, Kansy B. Cervical lymph node diseases in children. GMS Curr Top Otorhinolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2014;13:Doc08. doi:10.3205/cto000111 Gaddey HL, Riegel AM. Unexplained lymphadenopathy: evaluation and differential diagnosis. Am Fam Physician. 2016;94(11):896-903. Leong SP, Pissas A, Scarato M, et al. The lymphatic system and sentinel lymph nodes: conduit for cancer metastasis. Clin Exp Metastasis. 2022;39(1):139–157. doi:10.1007/s10585-021-10123-w By Blyss Splane Blyss Splane is a certified operating room nurse working as a freelance content writer and former travel nurse. She works as a freelance content writer for healthcare blogs when she's not spending time with her husband and dog. 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