![]() ![]() They can also become enlarged because of infections, other medical conditions, or even physical injury.” “However, it's important to note that not all swollen lymph nodes are due to cancer. When cancer cells break away from a tumor in the breast, they can travel to nearby lymph nodes through the lymphatic system,” Dr. “Swollen lymph nodes can be a sign that breast cancer has spread to those nodes. Normally, lymph nodes are less than one centimeter in diameter - about the size of an uncooked bean - although nodes in the chest can be even smaller, according to StatPearls. I Have Breast Cancer: Should I Be Concerned if My Lymph Nodes Are Swollen? A study published in 2020 in the Journal of Clinical Oncology found that most people experienced lymphedema between 12 and 30 months after a mastectomy or lumpectomy. When breast cancer treatment involves removal of axillary lymph nodes (lymph nodes under the arm), lymphatic fluid can get backed up in the affected upper extremity area and cause generalized swelling called lymphedema, according to the ACS. The lymphatic system also helps drain away toxins through the lymph fluid. ![]() They are essential because they help detect and fight infections and diseases, including breast cancer,” says Corey Speers, MD, PhD, radiation oncologist at University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center and member of the developmental therapeutics program at the Case Comprehensive Cancer Center (CCCC). “Lymph nodes act as filters for lymphatic fluid, which carries waste products, foreign substances, and immune cells throughout our body. These look similar to blood vessels, but instead of blood, they contain a clear, watery substance called lymphatic fluid. The lymphatic (or lymph) system is an essential part of the immune system and is made up of a network of lymph nodes and lymphatic vessels, according to the American Cancer Society (ACS). It’s important to know what else could be causing this symptom, and to check in with your healthcare provider so they can help you get to the bottom of it. Whatever the cause, swollen lymph nodes can raise a multitude of questions when you have breast cancer. According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), one in four female breast cancers spread to the lymph nodes, but cancer spread is not the only reason for lymph node swelling (also known as lymphadenopathy). During the course of breast cancer diagnosis and treatment, lymph nodes near the breasts can become enlarged. ![]()
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