What are Lymph Nodes?
The body's lymphatic system comprises lymph (which is a fluid). lymph vessels, and lymph nodes. Lymph carries lymphocytes and other cells of the immune system, together with invading bacteria and waste products, through the tissues. It is transported through lymph vessels, the microscopic tubes that carry it into the nodes. Lymph nodes are little glands that contain millions of immune cells. Clusters of lymph nodes are located in strategic places throughout the body. They are an important component of the immune system (the place where the immune cells, primarily lymphocytes, are put to fight invaders. Thus, the lymph nodes in your neck may swell when your body is trying to fight off an upper respiratory tract infection (such as a sore throat). Melanoma cells also may travel through lymph vessels into lymph nodes and start reproducing inside them.
If Melanoma has spread to your lymph nodes, the disease takes on a different character. Lymph node involvement generally overshadows the pathology of the primary lesion in significance. Melanoma becomes an actual invader and colonizer inside the body. Once the Melanoma reaches the lymph nodes however, there is still a considerable chance to be cured. On average, the cure rate is between 40 and 50 percent. Unfortunately, the overall range is as low as 15 percent, though the high is 70.
