Lacteals absorb fats from food passing through the small intestine in the villi.
Spleen
The spleen is the largest organ in the lymphatic system, it is important for maintaining a balance between body fluids. It is located below the ribcage, above the stomach. The function of it is to filter the blood of any foreign invaders, provide a reservoir of oxygen (rich blood) and to dispose of worn out erythrocytes. They also remove old and damaged blood cells. It acts as storage for the red blood cells to be used when needed.
Hodgkin Lymphoma
What is it?
Hodgkin Lymphoma is a blood cancer which starts in the lymphatic system. It occurs when the body is incapable of fighting off pathogens e.g. bacteria, viruses and waste due to no immune defence. The …show more content…
To diagnose the condition, a biopsy must be carried out. This process involves removing tissue from the body and testing the sample to see if there are any cancerous cells are present. If they are present, they will use them cells to determine what type of Hodgkin Lymphoma you have. To track how far the lymphoma has spread, there are further tests such as; blood tests, X-rays and MRI scans.
What are the symptoms?
There are many symptoms of Hodgkin Lymphoma. The most common is swelling in the affected area e.g. the neck, armpit or groin, where the lymph nodes are located. This doesn’t cause pain but some people seem to think that it starts to ache. This swelling occurs because lymph nodes collect together and there is a lot of excess which causes it. Other symptoms include; sweating at night, weight loss, fevers, coughs, itching and there might be pain at the affected area.
Treatments available and pros and cons of treatment
Hodgkin Lymphoma can be treated with chemotherapy alone, chemotherapy then radiotherapy. Sometimes, chemotherapy is combined with steroid medication. According to NHS, the treatment for this condition is ‘highly effective’ and ‘most people are eventually