Like all other parts of the body, the area containing the oesophagus also contains lymph nodes. These are also called lymph glands. They are small bean shaped glands that are part of thelymphatic system. They help to control infection by filtering foreign material out of the blood and lymphatic fluid, including bacteria and viruses.
The lymph nodes are often the first place that cancer cells spread to when they break away from a tumour. So surgeons often remove them during cancer surgery and send them off to the lab. There, a pathologist examines them closely to see if they contain any cancer cells. The presence of cancer cells in the lymph nodes is part of the staging of the cancer. The stage is important because it helps the doctor to decide which is the most suitable treatment.
No comments:
Post a Comment