Immune & Lymphatic System Disorders
The lymphatic system is a key part of the immune system, draining excess fluid from bodily tissues and organs and disseminating white blood cells to fight infection. The white blood cells fight infection in the spleen and special vessels throughout the body called lymph nodes. If your immune system becomes compromised, the lymphatic system wont be able to work properly, causing swelling from a buildup of fluid in parts of the body. Disorders of the lymphatic system include elephantiasis, a swelling of body parts caused by a filarial worm infestation, and lymphedema, a swelling in the arms or legs caused by lymph nodes or lymph vessels disturbed by surgery for breast or prostate cancer. Medication, massage therapy and compression garments can help.
Recently Answered
- Q Can sarcoidosis be fatal?
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If sarcoidosis causes certain organs and systems to fail, the results can be fatal. These complications are usually associated with the heart, lungs, kidneys, and nervous system. The mortality rate in people diagnosed with sarcoidosis is somewhere... Full Answer
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- Q How common is sarcoidosis?
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Sarcoidosis is believed to affect between .01 and .04 per cent of the United States population. Throughout the world, sarcoidosis is more common in countries with substantial populations of African, Asian, and northern European descent. In Sweden,... Full Answer
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- Q Can sarcoidosis be prevented?
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Research is ongoing as to the causes of sarcoidosis. However, until the factors that trigger the condition are better known, there is no way of knowing how to prevent it. It is currently believed that sarcoidosis is caused either by a disorder of the... Full Answer
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- Q How is sarcoidosis diagnosed?
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Because the symptoms of sarcoidosis can be so varied and nonspecific, making a positive diagnosis is not always easy. Most people with sarcoidosis are asymptomatic, and close to half of all diagnoses are made through unrelated chest x-rays. In people who... Full Answer
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- Q How is neutropenia diagnosed?
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A blood test called an absolute neutrophil count (ANC) can help determine the body’s ability to help fight off infection. Neutropenia is defined as an ANC of less than 1,000. Many cancer patients have their ANC tested routinely. Full Answer
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- Q Is mixed connective tissue disease serious?
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Mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD) can range from mild cases with only occasional flare ups, to more severe cases in which daily medication and regular monitoring are necessary. The most serious complications of MCTD include high blood pressure that... Full Answer
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- Q What is the prognosis for paraneoplastic syndromes?
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There are no cures for paraneoplastic syndromes. There are no available treatments to stop progressive neurological damage. Generally, the stage of cancer at diagnosis determines the outcome. This answer is based on source information from the National... Full Answer
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- Q What are the treatments for paraneoplastic syndromes?
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When paraneoplastic syndromes are present, the tumor and cancer are treated first, followed by efforts to decrease the autoimmune response, either through steroids such as cortisone or prednisone, high-dose intravenous immunoglobulin or irradiation.... Full Answer
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- Q Is there any treatment for paraneoplastic syndromes?
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When present, the tumor and cancer are treated first, followed by efforts to decrease the autoimmune response-through steroids such as cortisone or prednisone, high-dose intravenous immunoglobulin, or irradiation. Plasmapheresis, a process that cleanses... Full Answer
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- Q What are paraneoplastic syndromes?
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Paraneoplastic syndromes are a group of rare disorders that are triggered by an abnormal immune system response to a cancerous tumor known as a neoplasm. Paraneoplastic syndromes are thought to occur when cancer-fighting antibodies or white blood cells... Full Answer
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