Lymph nodes are located throughout your body and play an important role in keeping you healthy.

In this post, we’re going to explain more about what they do and what happens if you’ve had them removed or have a condition that affects them.

We’ll also tell you what you can do if you are affected by issues concerning the lymph nodes — for example, lymphoedema.

What are lymph nodes and what do they do?

Lymph nodes, also known as lymph glands, are bean-shaped masses of tissue located in groups at various points in your body like the armpit, groin and neck. For example, those clustered around the armpit are called axillary lymph nodes.

They are part of the lymphatic system, which is a network of lymph nodes and lymph vessels.

The lymph vessels transport a fluid called lymph that comes from tissues in your body. It contains waste like cancer cells, viruses and bacteria.

Lymph is filtered by white blood cells inside your lymph nodes, destroying harmful waste products.

The lymph nodes also contain cells called lymphocytes, which can destroy bacteria and cancer cells.

This means that your lymph nodes have an important part to play in fighting infection and getting rid of harmful substances from your body.

Once the lymph has been filtered, it returns to your circulation.

Problems with lymph nodes

It’s very common to experience swollen lymph nodes when you have a minor health issue such as an ear infection or sore throat. Once you’ve recovered from the infection, your lymph nodes should return to their normal size. Sometimes this takes a few weeks.

If you have lymph nodes that seem to always be enlarged and are hard, don’t move and are not tender to the touch, this could be a sign of cancer.

It could mean that cancer cells have spread there from a tumour elsewhere, or cancer could have originated in the lymph nodes themselves. This type of cancer is called lymphoma.

If you experience these symptoms, then you should get checked out by your doctor without delay.

More about lymph nodes and cancer

Lymph nodes can help doctors assess how far cancer has spread and decide on the best treatment for the patient.

In this scenario, a doctor may feel whether your lymph nodes are swollen, or they may examine them via a CT scan or under a microscope after a biopsy or removal.

Sometimes lymph nodes are removed as part of cancer treatment. This is to stop the cancer from spreading further in the body.

Lymph node removal can cause symptoms such as:

  • Pain or redness at the site
  • Swelling (lymphoedema) caused by a build-up of lymph fluid
  • Limited movement
  • Infection
  • Numbness as a result of nerve damage

If you’ve had lymph nodes removed, you may find it useful to wear a medical wristband containing this information. It will warn caregivers that no blood pressure tests should be done on the affected limb and no needles should be inserted.

This can give you peace of mind, knowing that you will receive the most appropriate medical care in the event of an emergency or if you are unable to communicate.

More about lymphoedema

As we’ve seen, lymphoedema can be a side-effect of lymph node removal. It’s a permanent condition, so it needs to be managed rather than cured.

There are two types of lymphoedema: primary and secondary.

Primary lymphoedema is caused by a faulty gene and involves an abnormality in the lymphatic system. It usually develops in childhood or when people are in young adulthood.

Secondary lymphoedema is caused by damage to the lymphatic system, for example as a result of lymph nodes being removed as part of cancer treatment or because of injury.

In lymphoedema, fluid builds up in tissues as a result of lymph nodes or vessels becoming damaged or blocked.

While it usually affects the arms or legs, lymphoedema can also cause swelling in the head, neck, chest or genital area.

Your doctor may advise you to manage lymphoedema by:

  • Wearing a compression garment
  • Exercising regularly
  • Having specialist massage treatment
  • Taking care of your skin to minimise the chance of infection

You may also want to wear a lymphoedema medic alert as part of your management plan so that people around you will understand your medical history if you have an emergency.

The vital lymphatic system

The lymphatic system is a vital part of keeping us healthy and protecting us from disease. It usually runs smoothly, but if you have had surgery to remove your lymph nodes, you may need to manage any effects on your health by self-care and monitoring.

You can also invest in a pre-printed or customisable wristband to ensure that you receive the right care at the right time.

Browse our collection of medical bracelets for conditions such as lymphoedema and lymph node removal to help you manage your health proactively and with peace of mind.