Lymph node cancer, or lymph gland cancer, is a malignant disease of the lymphatic system that occurs in the form of Hodgkin’s or non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Lymph node cancer is relatively rare. If detected early, the chances of recovery range from 70 to 90 percent. If left untreated, the disease is fatal.
Below you will find further information as well as a selection of lymph node cancer specialists.
Lymph node cancer, or lymph gland cancer, is a malignant disease of the lymphatic system. It involves the malignant transformation of lymphocytes. There are different forms of this disease. In the case of malignant lymphomas, for example, a distinction is made between Hodgkin’s and non-Hodgkin’s lymphomas.
Non-Hodgkin lymphomas can develop not only within the lymphatic system but also outside of it. This form of lymph node cancer is relatively rare.
If doctors detect lymph node cancer early, the chances of recovery range from 70 to 90 percent. Children who develop lymph node cancer have very good chances of recovery.
If patients do not seek treatment for lymph node cancer, the disease is fatal. In advanced stages, malignant changes may also occur in other organs besides the lymph nodes, such as the spleen or lungs. The bones may also be affected.
Symptoms of Lymph Node Cancer
The symptoms are not always easy to interpret. Patients usually do not notice them or do not attach any significance to them.
Symptoms include, for example:
- Swelling of the lymph nodes: If the lymph nodes are affected, they have a rubbery texture and are no longer as easy to move.
- Episodes of fever
- Fatigue
- Night sweats
- Loss of energy
- Severe itching of the skin
- Unintentional weight loss accompanied by loss of appetite
However, you shouldn’t panic unnecessarily, as all of these symptoms can also occur with harmless conditions:
A swollen lymph node often indicates an infection in the body. Fever or bouts of fever are also signs of this.
Lymph nodes are distributed throughout the body, but many of them are clustered closely together in the neck @ Kalim /AdobeStock
Diagnosis of Lymph Node Cancer
- The Patient Consultation
If the patient exhibits any of the symptoms mentioned, they can consult their primary care physician or an oncologist. Part of the examination involves, for example, a more detailed assessment of weight loss.
The following questions are the focus of this assessment:
- Has the patient lost more than ten percent of their body weight in the last six months?
- Does the patient notice swollen lymph nodes in the neck, under the arms, or in the groin?
- Do the lymph nodes become painful after drinking alcohol?
All of these questions and their answers can help the doctor make a diagnosis.
- The Blood Test
However, the decisive factor in diagnosing lymph node cancer is the blood test. Based on your blood test results, the doctor can determine whether you have lymph node cancer.
This is because, in lymph node cancer, the abnormal cells displace the healthy cells. This inevitably leads to anemia or a low platelet count.
The blood test can also indicate the extent to which other organs have already been affected. Doctors can detect kidney damage in the blood test results. Elevated inflammation markers also provide a clue to lymph node cancer.
- The Biopsy
A lymph node biopsy can also aid in diagnosis. During the biopsy, the doctor removes cells or tissue samples. Specialists then examine the sample under a microscope to determine whether it is cancerous.
A biopsy is usually a minor procedure performed on an outpatient basis under local anesthesia @ luchschenF /AdobeStock
- Ultrasound or CT
Imaging techniques such as ultrasound or a CT scan can also be used to determine the stage of the disease. Can lymph node cancer be prevented?
In general, a healthy lifestyle is always important: a healthy diet, no smoking, no excessive alcohol consumption, and regular exercise are the key factors here.
However, since the causes of lymph node cancer are not yet fully understood, it is essentially impossible to prevent it. This is different from lung cancer, where smoking plays a decisive role.
What is the treatment for lymph node cancer?
- Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is typically used to treat lymph node cancer. Before starting treatment, however, doctors first determine the stage of the diagnosed cancer. Based on this information, they can determine which chemotherapy regimen and how many cycles are appropriate. In many cases, the chances of a cure are good. The stage of the cancer is a key factor in this. Unfortunately, however, there are also types of lymph node cancer that are incurable.
- Radiation Therapy
In addition to chemotherapy, it is possible to actively monitor the lymphomas or treat them with radiation therapy. The treating physician decides on the type of treatment.
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Sabine Schneider
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Sabine Schneider – medical author: Explore expert articles and medical expertise in the Leading Medicine Guide.
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