[Regional neck lymph nodes and primary tumors. 2. The reactive neck lymph node lesion]

Topographic classification of lymphatic nodes with reactive changes and with metastasis makes evident, that the regional lymph nodes have not only changes, caused by inflammation but also by growth of tumor. Thus, the lymph nodes are accomodation of defense and in the second place as an accommodation of discharge. The regional lymph nodes respond independent of the extent of the primary tumor. The regional metastasis are nearly always localized in the center of lymph nodes with reactiv changes. Lymph nodes with follicular lymphatic hyperplasia are situated in the immediate environment of the metastasis. Lymph nodes with sinus-reaction are extended before the metastasis, in direction of lymph discharge. By super imposed projection of the results of histological evaluation of cervical glands with metastasis in the neck, one obtains to some extent an impression of the defense activity by the lymph nodes at the time of the operation.