MissScripture Posted October 15, 2011 Share Posted October 15, 2011 [quote name='Adrestia' timestamp='1318705994' post='2321671'] The entire lymphatic system flows toward the bloodstream, returning fluid from body tissues to the blood (via the thoracic duct). So getting into the lymph system does eventually allow access to the blood stream. That doesn't explain why a metastatic lesion in a lymph node doubles mortality even when no distant metastasis is present. Please keep the questions coming. It's good for me to look at this question through new eyes! [/quote] Yay! I didn't just learn a bunch of bs in school! But I guess that makes sense. I don't spend my time thinking about mortality rates of cancer, so it didn't occur to me that it could double the mortality rate without actually causing a metastasis. So, when they take out the lymph nodes that are affected, before a metastasis has become apparent, that would reduce the risk of metastasis, correct? Does that decrease the mortality rate at all then, or does it stay the same or do they not break the numbers down like that? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adrestia Posted October 16, 2011 Author Share Posted October 16, 2011 [quote name='MissScripture' timestamp='1318710157' post='2321708'] Yay! I didn't just learn a bunch of bs in school! But I guess that makes sense. I don't spend my time thinking about mortality rates of cancer, [/quote] lucky. [quote name='MissScripture' timestamp='1318710157' post='2321708']so it didn't occur to me that it could double the mortality rate without actually causing a metastasis. So, when they take out the lymph nodes that are affected, before a metastasis has become apparent, that would reduce the risk of metastasis, correct? Does that decrease the mortality rate at all then, or does it stay the same or do they not break the numbers down like that? [/quote] Not really, but it's not fully understood. Lymph nodes are removed to stage the cancer and help determine appropriate treatment. Sometimes removing lymph nodes that already have tumors can improve outcomes, but it depends on the type of cancer, the grade and the stage. It's really complicated. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MissScripture Posted October 16, 2011 Share Posted October 16, 2011 [quote name='Adrestia' timestamp='1318742096' post='2321948'] lucky. [/quote] Well, you're the one who had to be all smart and be a Doctor[sup]2[/sup]. [quote] Not really, but it's not fully understood. Lymph nodes are removed to stage the cancer and help determine appropriate treatment. Sometimes removing lymph nodes that already have tumors can improve outcomes, but it depends on the type of cancer, the grade and the stage. It's really complicated. [/quote] Oh, I thought the lymph node removal was kind of part of the treatment. In that case, it was kind of a dumb question on my part, because if it were part of the treatment, why would they do it if it didn't help with the outcome. Yay, let's just do surgical procedures for fun! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adrestia Posted October 21, 2011 Author Share Posted October 21, 2011 [b] [url="http://zeenews.india.com/news/eco-news/it-s-official-earth-is-facing-global-warming_737733.html"]It’s official! Earth is facing global warming[/url][/b] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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