Diseases of the lymphatic vessels include lymphangitis and lymphedema. After surgery in an area where many lymphatic vessels run, lymphatic fistula may occur – when more lymph fluid leaks through injured lymphatic vessels and drains through the wound.
Lymph node swelling as a symptom
In addition, the lymph nodes can also react and swell in a wide variety of diseases – whether as part of an inflammation or in cancers such as leukemia and Hodgkin’s lymphoma, which primarily take place in the lymphatic organs. Precisely because of their filtering function, tumor cells also settle in the lymph nodes and are carried away from the primary tumor with the lymph. Lymph nodes therefore indicate in many cancers how far the cancer has already spread in the body.
Symptoms of diseases of the lymphatic system
Lymphangitis, or inflammation of a lymphatic vessel, often occurs in the superficial lymphatics and is popularly known as blood poisoning because a red cord spreads from the focus of inflammation toward the center of the body. The inflamed lymphatic pathway together with its surroundings is reddened, often painful and somewhat swollen – fever may also occur.
In lymphedema, the outflow of lymph is disturbed – in other words, there is a buildup of fluid in the body tissues. Lymphedema usually occurs on the extremities, the affected area of the body is swollen and the consistency of the subcutaneous fatty tissue changes, it becomes doughy. In lymphedema, a distinction is made between a congenital form and one acquired through disease. Since the symptoms can be identical, the medical history must provide information about what type of lymphedema is present.
The swelling of the body part is not only aesthetically unattractive, but also leads to an increasing functional restriction of the affected extremity with the risk of nerve damage and circulatory disorders. The longer lymphedema persists, the less can be done about it. The swellings become more severe, harden and, most importantly, are less responsive to possible treatment measures.
As soon as lymph nodes are involved in the disease process, they often swell, which can also be felt on the neck, under the armpits or in the groin. In the case of inflammation, these touches are painful; in chronic disease, the lymph nodes can be palpated as indurations.
