Breast and Lymphatic System

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The lymph glands are part of the natural drainage system of the body called the lymphatic system. The lymphatic system is made up of a network of lymph glands, connected throughout the body by tiny tubes (vessels) called lymph vessels. Lymph is a yellow fluid that flows through the lymphatic system and eventually drains into veins. This system helps to get rid of waste products from the body. Tissue fluid bathes the body's cells, drains into the lymphatic system and then circulates again. Lymph glands are important in cancer care because any cancer cells that have broken away from a tumour can be carried by the tissue fluid to the nearest lymph glands. So doctors always examine the lymph glands. If you have cancer, but no cancer cells in any of the nearby lymph glands, your cancer is less likely to have spread.(cancer res) Under the skin, an area of breast tissue extends into the armpit (axilla). The armpits also contain a collection of lymph nodes (glands), which are part of the lymphatic system. There are also lymph nodes just beside the breastbone (internal mammary lymph nodes) and behind the collarbone. (macm) A woman's breasts are made up of fat, connective tissue and thousands of tiny glands, known as lobules, which produce milk. If a woman has a baby, the milk is delivered to the nipple through tiny tubes called ducts, which allow her to breastfeed. Our bodies are made up of billions of tiny cells. Normally, cells grow and multiply in an orderly way. New cells are only made when and where they are needed. In cancer, this orderly process goes wrong and cells begin to grow and multiply uncontrollably. Breast cancer can have a number of symptoms but usually shows as a lump or thickening in the breast tissue (although most breast lumps are not cancerous). If cancer is detected at an early stage, it can be treated before it spreads to nearby parts of the

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