Lymphoma
Lymphoma
Lymphoma is a type of cancer that is now the tenth most common cancer to affect people of both sexes. It affects hundreds of thousands of adults each year. There are a number of tests to diagnose this type of cancer, since its symptoms can be rather confusing. There are many different types of lymphomas and we will be discussing meaning, symptoms and diagnosis of the relatively more common Non-Hodgkin lymphoma here.
What is lymphoma?
Lymphoma is a type pf lymph cancer that specifically affects the immune system. This cancer attacks lymphocytes, white blood cells that are present in lymph nodes all over the body. Solid tumors are formed all over the immune system when lymphocytes become cancerous.
There are many different kinds of lymphoma, but they are divided into two main kinds – Hodgkin and Non-Hodgkin lymphoma. There are six different kinds of Hodgkin lymphoma and it affects Reed-Sternberg cells in the body. It is very rare. Non-Hodgkin lymphoma has over 60 different types and includes all lymphoma that affects cells other than the Reed-Sternberg cells. It is not as rare as Hodgkin and constitutes about 90 percent of all lymphoma cases recorded.
Symptoms of lymphoma
As you can see, the symptoms are very generic and could mean a lot of infections or disorders other than lymphoma as well. It is therefore important to get yourself checked by a doctor if you notice any of these symptoms for a proper diagnosis.
Diagnosis of lymphoma
Once these tests and done, if the doctor confirms that you have lymphoma, then there will be a prognosis of your condition to decide on further treatment.
Treatment procedures for lymphoma
Treatment will depend on the prognosis and may be one or a combination of the following:
If the cancer is indolent, that is, it does not show any signs of progression or worsening, there might be no need for treatment, and you will simply need to keep a close watch on the lymphoma.
Lymphoma is a type of cancer that is now the tenth most common cancer to affect people of both sexes. It affects hundreds of thousands of adults each year. There are a number of tests to diagnose this type of cancer, since its symptoms can be rather confusing. There are many different types of lymphomas and we will be discussing meaning, symptoms and diagnosis of the relatively more common Non-Hodgkin lymphoma here.
What is lymphoma?
Lymphoma is a type pf lymph cancer that specifically affects the immune system. This cancer attacks lymphocytes, white blood cells that are present in lymph nodes all over the body. Solid tumors are formed all over the immune system when lymphocytes become cancerous.
There are many different kinds of lymphoma, but they are divided into two main kinds – Hodgkin and Non-Hodgkin lymphoma. There are six different kinds of Hodgkin lymphoma and it affects Reed-Sternberg cells in the body. It is very rare. Non-Hodgkin lymphoma has over 60 different types and includes all lymphoma that affects cells other than the Reed-Sternberg cells. It is not as rare as Hodgkin and constitutes about 90 percent of all lymphoma cases recorded.
Symptoms of lymphoma
- Sudden and unexplained weight loss
- Fever and chills
- Swelling of lymph nodes, may not may not be painful
- Fatigue
- Itchy skin
- Excessive sweating at night
- Nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain after alcohol consumption
- Breathlessness
- Sudden loss of appetite
As you can see, the symptoms are very generic and could mean a lot of infections or disorders other than lymphoma as well. It is therefore important to get yourself checked by a doctor if you notice any of these symptoms for a proper diagnosis.
Diagnosis of lymphoma
- Physical examination of lymph nodes, spleen and liver
- Family and personal medical history
- X-rays of the chest
- Blood tests
- Biopsy
- MRI
- Spinal tap
Once these tests and done, if the doctor confirms that you have lymphoma, then there will be a prognosis of your condition to decide on further treatment.
Treatment procedures for lymphoma
Treatment will depend on the prognosis and may be one or a combination of the following:
- Radiotherapy
- Chemotherapy
- Immunological therapy
- Biological therapy
- Targeted therapy
- Stem cell transplant
- Bone marrow transplant
- Surgery
If the cancer is indolent, that is, it does not show any signs of progression or worsening, there might be no need for treatment, and you will simply need to keep a close watch on the lymphoma.