Cervical Cancer Spread To Groin Lymph Nodes
Published on May 22 2010, in the categories: risks
What are lymph nodes anyway?
Lymph nodes are body organs and we must differentiate between them and glands, contrary to what some believe. The function of lymph nodes is a cleansing one, to filter out all the dead bacteria, viruses and other dead tissue from the lymphatic fluid and to eventually eliminate them from the body. Lymphocytes, popularly known as white blood cells spend most of their time in lymph nodes too and we can conclude that the immune system is very much determined by these organs. When it is activates, the lymph nodes start to produce large numbers of lymphocytes and they can swell considerably from this.
The reason for lymph nodes to swell in only particular area could be the sign of an injury, infection, or even of an underlying tumor that develops in or around that area. Therefore, swollen lymph nodes might be a strong indicator of the presence of cervical cancer in your body and can easen diagnosis. A biopsy should to be done in case cancer is suspected as the main cause for the swollen lymph nodes.
There are approximately 600 lymph nodes throughout our body and there are specific indicators about the normal size, function and place that can immediately show abnormalities. The lymph nodes in the groin are located in the lowest lateral regions of the abdomen, just above the genitals. The lymph nodes grouped into dense clusters located in the groin are called inguinal lymph nodes.
What do they have to do with cervical cancer?
Quite a lot unfortunately, as by the time the cancer reaches them, it become more difficult to cure and releases the worse wave of symptoms. Reaching the lymph nodes is a phase characteristic to invasive cervical cancer. At this stage of the cancer, the tumor has penetrated deep into the cervix and into neighboring tissues and organs, among which the lymph nodes. Once the cancer has spread outside the reproductive tract , it can be effectively treated in only 5 percent of the cases. However, the lymph nodes may be reached earlier in stage 3 of development when statistic shows a 30% 5 year survival rate.
Unlike preinvasive cancer, also known as carcinoma in situ, preventing the spreading of the cancer asks for more aggressive treatment like conization or hsterectomy. Untreated, carcinoma in situ is sure to develop into cancer and then the cancer will travel to other pelvic structures and then invade the lymph nodes located in the groin. Eventually it will make its way to the lungs, liver and bones. If the cancer spreads beyond the groin and pelvis it is diagnosed as metastasis. Surgery and radiation treatment are the recommended treatment options for invasive cervical cancer.
Lymph nodes are body organs and we must differentiate between them and glands, contrary to what some believe. The function of lymph nodes is a cleansing one, to filter out all the dead bacteria, viruses and other dead tissue from the lymphatic fluid and to eventually eliminate them from the body. Lymphocytes, popularly known as white blood cells spend most of their time in lymph nodes too and we can conclude that the immune system is very much determined by these organs. When it is activates, the lymph nodes start to produce large numbers of lymphocytes and they can swell considerably from this.
The reason for lymph nodes to swell in only particular area could be the sign of an injury, infection, or even of an underlying tumor that develops in or around that area. Therefore, swollen lymph nodes might be a strong indicator of the presence of cervical cancer in your body and can easen diagnosis. A biopsy should to be done in case cancer is suspected as the main cause for the swollen lymph nodes.
There are approximately 600 lymph nodes throughout our body and there are specific indicators about the normal size, function and place that can immediately show abnormalities. The lymph nodes in the groin are located in the lowest lateral regions of the abdomen, just above the genitals. The lymph nodes grouped into dense clusters located in the groin are called inguinal lymph nodes.
What do they have to do with cervical cancer?
Quite a lot unfortunately, as by the time the cancer reaches them, it become more difficult to cure and releases the worse wave of symptoms. Reaching the lymph nodes is a phase characteristic to invasive cervical cancer. At this stage of the cancer, the tumor has penetrated deep into the cervix and into neighboring tissues and organs, among which the lymph nodes. Once the cancer has spread outside the reproductive tract , it can be effectively treated in only 5 percent of the cases. However, the lymph nodes may be reached earlier in stage 3 of development when statistic shows a 30% 5 year survival rate.
Unlike preinvasive cancer, also known as carcinoma in situ, preventing the spreading of the cancer asks for more aggressive treatment like conization or hsterectomy. Untreated, carcinoma in situ is sure to develop into cancer and then the cancer will travel to other pelvic structures and then invade the lymph nodes located in the groin. Eventually it will make its way to the lungs, liver and bones. If the cancer spreads beyond the groin and pelvis it is diagnosed as metastasis. Surgery and radiation treatment are the recommended treatment options for invasive cervical cancer.
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