COMMON DISEASES OF
THE LYMPHATIC SYSTEM
LYMPHADENOPATHY AND
LYMPHADENITIS
Lymphadenopathy is the medical
or enlarged
term for swollen
lymph nodes. It can occur due to
inflammation, infection, or cancer.
When the cause of a swollen
lymph node is infections or
inflammatory disorders, it is called
lymphadenitis. For example, strep
throat can cause enlargement of
regional lymph nodes in the neck.
Breast cancer can lead to
enlarged lymph nodes in the
axillae (armpits).
LYMPHEDEMA
This medical term refers to a
buildup of lymphatic fluid in the
tissues. It most commonly occurs
in the arms and legs. Lymphatic
system blockages can cause
lymphedema due to scar tissue,
tumors, or damaged lymph nodes
or lymph vessels. Lymphedema
can also occur when lymph nodes
are surgically removed or
subjected to radiation during
cancer treatment. Severe
lymphedema can be painful,
disabling, and disfiguring and can
put a person at risk of serious
infections.
LYMPHANGITIS Diseases
of the
Lymphangitis is an infection of
the lymph vessels (channels). It is
a complication of some bacterial
infections.
Causes
Lymphatic
System
The lymph system is a network of
lymph nodes, lymph ducts, lymph
vessels, and organs that produce
and move a fluid called lymph
from tissues to the bloodstream.
Lymphangitis most often results
from an acute streptococcal
infection of the skin. Less often, it
is caused by a staphylococcal
infection. The infection causes the
lymph vessels to become
inflamed.
Lymphangitis may be a sign that
a skin infection is getting worse.
The bacteria can spread into the
blood and cause life-threatening
problems.
References:
https://www.nhsinform.scot/illness
es-and-conditions/ears-nose-and-
throat/tonsillitis
https://www.cancer.org.au/cancer-
information/types-of-
cancer/lymphoma
https://www.buzzrx.com/blog/dise
ases-of-the-lymphatic-system
https://medlineplus.gov/ency/articl
e/007296.htm
 LYMPHOMA
Lymphomas refers to types of
cancer that begin in the
lymphatic system (the various
lymph glands around the body)
when abnormal white blood cells
grow. Lymphomas are the sixth
most common form of cancer
overall (excluding non-melanoma
skin cancer).
There are two main types of
lymphoma, which spread and are
treated differently:
Non-Hodgkin lymphoma
(which accounts for about 90%
of lymphomas)
Hodgkin lymphoma (which
has a characteristic
appearance in biopsies).
required if the lymphoma has
Lymphoma symptoms
Common symptoms include:
unexplained fever
swelling of one or more lymph
glands such as in the neck or
armpits
swollen abdomen
abnormal sweating, especially
at night
tiredness
loss of appetite
bruising or bleeding easily
weight loss
frequent infections
cough, chest pain or problems
breathing
rash or itching
Causes of lymphoma
Exposure to radiation and certain
types of chemicals can put some
people at higher risk. Benzene
and some agricultural chemicals
have been implicated; people
exposed in the workplace, who
can be at highest risk, should
follow occupational health
guidelines to minimise exposure.
For people whose immune
system is suppressed, exposure to
viruses such as the Epstein-Barr
virus or HIV can also be at
increased risk of lymphoma.
Treatment for lymphoma
Treatment depends on the type of
lymphoma, the stage of the
disease (i.e. how far it has spread
around the body) and how fast it
is likely to grow.
Types of treatment
Treatment options include
chemotherapy, radiation therapy
(radiotherapy) and monoclonal
antibodies. Surgery which can be
successful to remove early breast,
bowel and a number of other
cancers, doesn't work in
lymphoma. In some cases, a stem
cell transplant with strong
chemotherapy just beforehand is
recurred or where there is a high
likelihood of recurrence in the
future.
For patients with non-Hodgkin
lymphoma, some can be
managed with localised
radiotherapy alone, or radiation
therapy plus combination
chemotherapy.
If the non-Hodgkin lymphoma is
fast-growing, or "aggressive",
successful treatment usually
requires starting chemotherapy
immediately. For early-stage
disease and advanced stages with
bulky sites, "involved field
radiotherapy", which only targets
the affected site, is usually
required.
TONSILLITIS
Tonsillitis is inflammation of the
tonsils. It's usually caused by a
viral infection or, less commonly, a
bacterial infection..
The symptoms of tonsillitis
include:
a sore throat and pain when
swallowing
earache
high temperature (fever) over
38C (100.4F)
coughing
headache
Symptoms usually pass within
three to four days.
Treating tonsillitis
There's no specific treatment for
tonsillitis, but you may be able to
reduce the symptoms by:
taking paracetamol or
ibuprofen to help relieve pain
drinking plenty of fluids
getting plenty of rest
If test results show that your
tonsillitis is caused by a bacterial
infection, a short course of oral
antibiotics may be prescribed.
If oral antibiotics aren't effective at
treating bacterial tonsillitis,
intravenous antibiotics (given
directly into a vein) may be
needed in hospital.