One of the most common disorders involving the lymphatic and immune systems is the Castleman Disease which is now more commonly known as giant lymph node hyperplasia and angiofollicular lymph node hyperplasia. The condition is most commonly associated to immune disorders like HIV and Human Herpes Virus 8 infections (Schey, Yong, Marcus and Anderson, 2013). The disorder is problemic as the disease process involves the abnormal overgrowth of the lymph nodes (Loachim and Medeiros, 2009) and while it is not a cancer in itself, the disease shows symptoms that are similar to lymphoma which is a cancer of the lymph nodes. The condition may present symptoms with its localized form and of multicentric type. The localized form only affects one set of lymph nodes usually affecting the stomach and chest while the multicentric type affects more than one lymphatic region. Patients typically experience the symptoms of stomach pain but in extreme cases where more than one regions of the lymphatic system is affected fever, weight loss and fatigue are very common. Nerve damage can also occur in certain cases because of the abnormal growth of the lymph nodes which tend to impinge on the nerves. The disease is significant in affecting the normal function of the lymphatic system making the person with the disorder weak to resist infections. With a weakened immune system the inability of the body to fight serious infection may lead to death (American Cancer Society, 2012).
Crohn’s disease is a digestive system disorder caused by an autoimmune attack on the gastrointestal tract. According to West (2009), the disease is caused by an unknown bacterial infection that can result in an abnormal passageway between the bowel, skin and other body structures and may cause bowel obstruction and inflammation. The lymphatic system in the gastrointestinal tract is affected by the Crohn’s disease resulting in a weakened immune system and the formation of other immune system abnormalities (Tersigni and Prantera, 2010). According to Von Der Weid, Rehal and Ferraz (2011), abnormalities in the function of the lymphatic drainage has been noted in Crohn’s disease which is essentially causing the inflammatory response seen in the disease.
Kidney stone is a common disorder affecting the urinary system. Calcium oxalate which forms as stones invading the urinary tract causes obstruction to the urethra that may go down to the urinary bladder which can produce the symptoms of pain, bloody urine, burning sensation when urinating and vomiting (Ramaiah, 2009). While some kidney stones just disappear on its own, more serious conditions can lead to kidney failure resulting to the failure of the kidney to filter wastes from the blood while affecting the lymphatic system. With a compromised lymphatic system, poor circulation of the body’s immune system occurs making an individual more susceptible to a weakened immune system with the kiney’s inability to filter the liquid wastes in the body. As a result, there is an inefficient removal of the by-products of metabolism which can become fatal to the body when not removed appropriately (Campbell and Langford, 1991).
The hereditary lymphedema is a lymphatic system disease of genetic development origin. The person affected by the disease experiences swelling on certain areas of the body owing to the abnormal lymphatic circulatory function. The swelling or edema is prominent on the distal portion of the limb and may affect the face as well. The disease has a strong hereditary predisposition however it can develop due to trauma, infection and pregnancy (National Organization for Rare Disorders, 2003). Generally speaking, the lymphedema occurs owing to the abnormal accumulation of fluids in the lymphatic system (Ehrlich and Schroeder, 2012) thereby preventing the proper drainage of the lymph fluids making a person more susceptible to infection owing to a compromised immune system.
References:
American Cancer Society (2012). Castleman Disease. Retrieved from http://www.cancer.org/cancer/castlemandisease/detailedguide/castleman-disease-what-is-castleman-disease
Campbell, R. and Langford, R. (1991). Fundamentals of hazardous materials incidents. USA: CRC Press LLC.
Ehrlich, A. and Schroeder, C. (2012). Medical terminology for health professions. USA: Cengage Learning.
Loachim, H.L. and Medeiros, L.J. (2009). Loachim’s lymph node pathology. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams and Wilkins.
National Organization for Rare Disorders (2003). NORD guide to rare disorders. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams and Wilkins.
Ramaiah, S. (2009). All you wanted to know about kidney stone. New Delhi: Sterling Publishing.
Schey, S.A., Yong, K.L., Marcus, R. and Anderson, K.C. (2013). Myeloma: pathology, diagnosis and treatment. New York: Campbridge University Press.
Tersigni, R. and Prantera, C. (2010). Crohn’s disease: A multidisciplinary approach. New York: Springer Publishing.
Von Der Weid, PY., Rehal, S. and Ferraz, JG. (2011). Role of the lymphatic system in the pathogenesis of Crohn’s disease. Curr Opin Gastroenterol 27 (4): 335-41.
West, B.M. (2009). Crohn’s disease involvement with the intestinal lymphatic system. Lymphedema Straight Talk, 1(59).
