Most cases of non-Hodgkin lymphoma are diagnosed only after they’ve reached an advanced stage. Non-Hodgkin lymphoma is more common and can start in lymph nodes anywhere in the body. Hodgkin lymphoma and non-Hodgkin lymphoma involve different types of lymphocyte cells. There are two main types of lymphoma: Hodgkin's and non-Hodgkin's. Because lymph tissues are found throughout the body, lymphoma can begin almost anywhere. For example, if the diagnosis is breast cancer, then the breast cancer cells may have traveled to the lymph system, and the patient will be treated only for breast cancer.Ĭancer that starts in the cells of the lymph system is called lymphoma, which is a type of blood cancer. Those nodes can also show signs of change even if the cancer has not spread to other organs. Because lymph fluid carries cells around the body, cancers that start elsewhere sometimes spread to the lymph nodes. If cancer is in the lymph nodes, it does not necessarily mean you have lymph node cancer. It can spread to the lymph nodes from somewhere else.How Lymph Nodes and Cancer are RelatedĬancer can appear in lymph nodes in two ways: If you’ve ever developed an illness or infection and noticed 'swollen glands' in your neck, those are your lymph nodes working hard to defend your immune system from the waste products (such as bacteria and viruses) that your lymph system has detected. Some nodes are as large as an inch across, while others are as small as a pinhead.Ĭlusters of these nodes are located at the sides of your jaws, in the neck, upper chest, under your arms, and in your groin on either side of the pubic bone.

This fluid flows through a special system of tiny vessels in your body, passing through small bean-shaped filtering organs called lymph nodes. Lymph is a clear fluid that circulates throughout your body, bringing nutrients to cells and carrying away bacteria and waste products.

They also function as an early warning system for some types of cancer, including lymphoma, leukemia, and breast cancer. Lymph nodes (also called lymph glands) are part of your immune system, and they let you know when your body is fighting an infection by becoming enlarged or sensitive to the touch.

Swollen lymph nodes in neck one side