Cancer Lymphatic tissue

K17. Kit, S., The role of the hexosemonophosphate shunt in tumors and lymphatic tissues. Cancer Research 10, 70-76 (1950). 

A variety of diseases affect the lymphatic system early in their time course. For example, many cancers spread by lymphatic dissemination, and HIV, fungal, and bacterial infections are located primarily in the lymph nodes. The high prevalence of lymph node involvement in disease is due to the role of lymphatic tissue in the provision of the body s immune response. Intralymphatic and interstitial administration are two efficient access routes. However, the oral route may also prove to be important for the lymphatic uptake of lipophilic drags and macromolecules. 

Lymph nodes are pockets of lymph that orchestrate the removal of foreign material (including bacteria, viruses, and cancerous cells) from the lymph. They vary in size from microscopic to about 0.16 in (0.394 cm) in diameter. Some nodes cluster at key sites where the limbs join the torso. Lymph nodes are named after their locations in the body. The nodes at the arm are called axial and brachial, those under the jaw are called subclavian, and those in the groin are called inguinal. Fibrous connective tissue covers the lymphatic tissue inside the lymph node. 

Parker, R. J., Hartman, K. D., and Sieber, S. M. (1981b). Lymphatic absorbtion and tissue disposition of liposome-entrapped [1 CJadriamycin following intraperitoneal administration, Cancer Res., 41, 1311-1317. 

Inaeased risk of various cancers (e.g., lymphatics, blood, stomach, prostate, testes, brain, and soft tissues) was reported upon exposure to pesticides (Zahm and Blair 1993 Hayes et al. 1995 Zahm et al. 1997). Children s cancer, including brain tumors, leukemia, non-Hodgkin s lymphoma, sarcoma, and Wilms tumor due to direct or parental exposure to pesticides also has been determined (Fear et al. 1998 Kristensen et al. 1996 Pogoda and Preston-Martin 1997 Sharpe et al. 1995 Buckley et al. 1994). Often, the risk of cancer due to exposure to pesticides has been higher in children than in adults (Zahm and Ward 1998). Moreover, birth defects, including limb-reduction defects, have been linked to exposures to pesticides (Restrepo et al. 1990 Schwartz and LoGerfo 1998 Lin et al. 1994), as has a higher-than-normal risk of stillborn births (Pastore et al. 1997). 

Although lymph nodes commonly enlarge to fight infection, an overwhelming infection can leave a lymph node and travel through the lymphatic system to other nodes and even to other body tissues. Cancer can... 

Inflammatory breast cancer is characterized clinically by prominent skin, edema, redness and warmth, visible erysipeloid margin, and induration of the underlying tissue. Biopsies of the involved skin reveal cancer cells in the dermal lymphatics. Inflammatory breast cancer typically has a very rapid onset and although it may look somewhat similar to a neglected mass, its presentation with rapid onset and progression of local symptoms distinguishes it from other cases of locally advanced disease. Prognosis of patients with inflammatory breast cancer is poor, even if the disease is apparently locahzed. 

---