Lump in neck: When is it due to metastatic cancer?

Cancer is serious not only because of the tumor but also because of metastasis, which is the spread of diseased cells from the original site to more distant parts of the body. One of the common ways of metastasis is through the lymphatic system.

When cancer spreads to the lymph nodes, the condition is often more serious, affecting the patient's treatment and prognosis, according to the health website Healthline (USA).

Cancer that spreads to the lymph nodes can cause swollen lymph nodes in the neck, armpits, or groin.

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The lymphatic system consists of various parts such as lymph, lymph vessels, lymph nodes and lymphoid organs. In which, lymph vessels are similar to blood vessels but the substance inside is lymph, a colorless liquid containing white blood cells.

Meanwhile, lymph nodes are small, bean-shaped structures scattered along the lymphatic vessels, such as in the neck, armpits, groin, and under the chin. These nodes have the function of filtering lymph, creating immune cells, and acting as checkpoints to filter and destroy bacteria.

When cancer spreads to the lymph nodes, they may swell, form hard lumps, or feel painful. The most common symptom is swollen lymph nodes near where the cancer started. These are often in the neck, armpits, or groin.

In addition to swelling, the lymph nodes that cancer has spread to may not cause pain but make the patient feel uncomfortable and have an imbalance in immune function. In some cases, the patient may have fever, night sweats or unexplained weight loss. These are also warning signs of advanced cancer.

However, swollen lymph nodes are not always caused by cancer. In fact, many infections and other diseases can also cause swollen lymph nodes.

How to determine if lymph nodes have cancer cells or not

Detecting lymph nodes that contain cancer cells is an important step in diagnosing and determining the stage of the disease. The doctor usually begins with a physical examination, feeling and examining the lymph nodes in the neck, armpits and groin to assess their size, firmness and mobility.

To accurately determine the condition of the lymph nodes, imaging techniques such as ultrasound, CT scan or PET scan are also often used. In addition, lymph node biopsy is the most certain method to determine whether cancer cells are present or not.

When cancer has spread to the lymph nodes, treatment is often more complex and requires a combination of measures to control the disease. One common option is surgery to remove the affected lymph nodes to reduce cancer cells and prevent the disease from spreading. In addition to surgery, chemotherapy and radiation are often used to kill cancer cells remaining in the lymph nodes and surrounding tissues, according to Healthline .

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/noi-cuc-uo-co-khi-nao-do-ung-thu-di-can-185250607153143145.htm