The lymphatic system consists of lymph nodes (or lymph glands) and lymphatics (small vessels that link the lymph nodes). The system returns excess fluid to the circulation and helps fight infection and cancer.
Follow the links below to find information on diseases involving the lymphatic system.
Reviewed September 2011
Related HealthInsite Topics
Fluid Retention
HealthInsite Topic Page
Links to information on fluid retention or oedema.
Glandular Fever
HealthInsite Topic Page
Links to information on glandular fever.
Granuloma
HealthInsite Topic Page
Links to information about granuloma, including Sarcoidosis and Chronic Granulomatous Disease (CGD).
Lymphoedema
HealthInsite Topic Page
Links to information about lymphoedema.
Lymphoma
HealthInsite Topic Page
Links to information on lymphoma, including Hodgkin´s disease and non Hodgkin´s lymphoma.
14 Resources Found
| Title: |
Splenomegaly explained
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| Publisher: |
Better Health Channel
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| Description: |
Splenomegaly means enlargement of the spleen. The spleen removes old and abnormal blood cells and contributes immune system components, including antibodies. Causes of splenomegaly include leukaemia, Hodgkin's disease, thalassaemia and glandular fever. Certain disorders, including glandular fever, can occasionally make the enlarged spleen delicate enough to rupture. |
| Date: |
Aug 2011 |
| Title: |
Thymus cancer
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| Publisher: |
The Cancer Council Victoria
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| Description: |
Thymus cancer, known as thymoma, begins in the thymus, which is is a small organ in the top of the chest that produces cells important for protecting against invaders like fungus and bacteria. |
| Date: |
Jul 2011 |
| Title: |
Spleen explained
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| Publisher: |
Better Health Channel
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| Description: |
The spleen removes abnormal blood cells and making components of the immune system. Since the spleen is involved in so many bodily functions, it is vulnerable to a range of disorders including splenomegaly, hypersplenism and splenic rupture. The surgical removal of the spleen is called a splenectomy. |
| Date: |
Jun 2011 |
| Title: |
Adenoids
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| Publisher: |
Better Health Channel
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| Description: |
The adenoids are lymph nodes located in the throat behind the nose. Infections commonly cause swollen or blocked adenoids. Symptoms include a blocked nose, snoring, sore throat and yellow or green mucus in the nose. Adenoid infections in children can lead to middle ear infections and glue ear. Sinusitis is another complication. |
| Date: |
Jun 2011 |
| Title: |
Lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM)
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| Publisher: |
Better Health Channel
|
| Description: |
Lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM) is a rare lung disease that affects women during their reproductive years. Abnormal tissue growth in the lungs causes cysts, which lead to breathing problems. Other affected organs may include the kidneys, uterus and lymphatic system. LAM may occur sporadically (sLAM) or in association with the genetic disease tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC). |
| Date: |
Jun 2011 |
| Title: |
Lymphatic system
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| Publisher: |
Better Health Channel
|
| Description: |
The lymphatic system is a series of vessels throughout the body that drain fluid from tissues. Bacteria and other microbes are picked up in the lymphatic fluid and trapped inside lymph nodes, where they can be attacked and destroyed by white blood cells. Common problems of the lymphatic system include glandular fever, Hodgkin's disease, oedema (swelling) and tonsillitis. |
| Date: |
Jan 2011 |
| Title: |
Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation for Gaucher disease
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| Publisher: |
John Wiley and Sons, Ltd. for The Cochrane Collaboration
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| Description: |
Gaucher disease is an inherited disorder caused by a deficiency of the enzyme glucocerebrosidase. This leads to storage of complex lipids in some types of blood cells. Due to these abnormal cells people with Gaucher disease will have pain, fatigue, anem... |
| Date: |
Jun 2010 |
| Title: |
Gaucher disease
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| Publisher: |
Virtual Medical Centre.com
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| Description: |
Gaucher disease is an inherited genetic disorder that leads to the build up of fatty deposits in multiple organs within the body, including the spleen, liver, bone marrow and, rarely, the brain. |
| Date: |
Apr 2010 |
| Title: |
Salicylate for the treatment of Kawasaki disease in children
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| Publisher: |
John Wiley and Sons, Ltd. for The Cochrane Collaboration
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| Description: |
Kawasaki disease is an inflammation of the blood vessels (vasculitis) which predominantly affects young children, under the age of five years. It was first recognised in children in Japan and is the most common cause of acquired heart disease in childre... |
| Date: |
Feb 2009 |
| Title: |
Alkylating agents for Waldenstrom's macroglobulinaemia
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| Publisher: |
John Wiley and Sons, Ltd. for The Cochrane Collaboration
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| Description: |
Waldenstrom's macroglobulinaemia (WM) is an uncommon B-cell lymphoproliferative disorder characterised by bone marrow infiltration and production of monoclonal immunoglobulin. It is a kind of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma which can lead to death. Alkylating ag... |
| Date: |
May 2008 |
| Title: |
Kawasaki disease
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| Publisher: |
Virtual Medical Centre.com
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| Description: |
Information on the symptoms, treatment and diagnosis of Kawasaki disease by professional health specialists. |
| Date: |
Feb 2008 |
| Title: |
Swollen lymph glands
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| Publisher: |
Raising Children Network (RCN)
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| Description: |
A guide to recognising and treating swollen lymph glands in young children. |
| Date: |
Jul 2006 |
| Title: |
Albendazole for lymphatic filariasis
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| Publisher: |
John Wiley and Sons, Ltd. for The Cochrane Collaboration
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| Description: |
Filariasis affects about 120 million people in more than 80 countries and is spread by mosquitoes. Adult worms take up residence in lymph channels and when paired, produce larvae that circulate in the blood. The adult worms can live in the lymph system ... |
| Date: |
Aug 2005 |
| Title: |
Intravenous immunoglobulin for the treatment of Kawasaki disease in children
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| Publisher: |
John Wiley and Sons, Ltd. for The Cochrane Collaboration
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| Description: |
Good evidence that intravenous immunoglobulin treatment within the first 10 days of symptoms reduces coronary artery abnormalities (heart damage) in children with Kawasaki disease. Kawasaki disease is a disease that primarily affects children under five... |
| Date: |
Jul 2003 |