Lymph nodes are small, bean-shaped organs that play a crucial role in the immune system's functioning. They are distributed throughout the body and are interconnected by lymphatic vessels. Lymph nodes are responsible for filtering and removing waste products, toxins and harmful microorganisms from the body. However, they also have another important function, namely to identify and fight cancer cells that have metastasized from a primary tumour site. Cancer metastasis refers to the spread of cancer cells from the original tumour site to other parts of the body. This occurs through a process called lymphatic dissemination, where cancer cells enter the lymphatic vessels and travel to nearby lymph nodes. Once the cancer cells reach the lymph nodes, they can grow and form new tumours, leading to further spread of cancer throughout the body. Lymph nodes are particularly vulnerable to cancer metastasis because they act as filters for the lymphatic system. They are also well-connected to the circulatory system, which makes it easy for cancer cells to move from one lymph node to another and eventually spread throughout the body. The presence of cancer cells in the lymph nodes is an indication that the cancer has started to spread beyond the primary tumour site and that the disease has progressed to an advanced stage.
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