| | The lymph system is comprised of a network of vessels and nodes that extend throughout the body. These nodes, small bean-shaped organs containing infection-fighting cells, are concentrated around the abdomen, pelvis, neck and underarms. The spleen, another lymph system organ, is located on the left side of the body under the lower portion of the rib cage. The bone marrow and lymph system produce white blood cells (lymphocytes, granulocytes and monocytes) that fight infection.
There are two main types of lymphocytes: B cells and T cells. B cells produce antibodies. There are several different types of T cells. Several help orchestrate immune-system function, and some destroy cancerous or virus-infected cells. Helper T cells regulate the production of antibodies by B cells. Helper T cells can proliferate abnormally and invade the skin, a condition that is called cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL). The cancer is rare, affecting four in every 1 million people in the United States.
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