Description

Lymphoma is a cancer of the lymphatic system. The lymphatic system is part of the body of a germ of fire and the fight against disease of the immune system. Lymphoma begins when healthy cells in the lymphatic system change and grow out of control.

The lymphatic system includes the lymph nodes. It is found throughout the body. Most of the lymph nodes in the abdomen, the groin, the pelvis, the chest, the armpits and the neck.

The lymphatic system also includes the spleen, thymus, tonsils and bone marrow. Lymphoma can affect all of these areas and of other organs in the body.

There are many types of lymphoma. The main subtypes are:

  • Hodgkin's lymphoma (formerly called Hodgkin's disease).
  • The non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

Many treatments for lymphoma exist. The treatment that is best for you will depend on the type of lymphoma you have. The treatment can control the disease and give many people with lymphoma of the possibility of a full recovery.

Symptoms

The signs and symptoms of lymphoma may include:

  • Fever.
  • Night sweats.
  • Fatigue.
  • Itching in the skin.
  • Painless swelling of the lymph nodes in the abdomen, the neck, armpits or groin.
  • Pain in the chest, the abdomen or bones.
  • Losing weight without trying.

When to see a doctor

Make an appointment with a doctor or other health care professional if you have any symptoms that worry you. Lymphoma symptoms are similar to many more common conditions, such as infections. The health care professional can check the causes first.

Causes

Health care professionals are not sure what causes lymphoma. Lymphoma begins with changes in the DNA of a fight against the disease of blood cells called lymphocytes.

A cell's DNA contains the instructions that tell the cell what to do. In healthy cells, the DNA contains the instructions to grow and multiply at a set rate. Healthy cells die at a set time.

In cancer cells, changes in DNA to give different instructions. The changes, to tell the cancer cells to make the cells more quickly. Cancer cells can continue living when healthy cells would die.

In lymphoma, the DNA changes happen in lymphocytes. The changes can be:

  • Lead sick of the lymphocytes grow out of control.
  • The cause of too many sick of lymphocytes in the lymph nodes.
  • Because of the lymph nodes, the spleen and the liver to swell.

Risk factors

Some factors can increase the risk of lymphoma. They include:

  • A weakened immune system. If the immune system is weakened by medications or disease, may have an increased risk of lymphoma. People with a weakened immune system include those who take medications to control the immune system, such as after an organ transplant. Certain health conditions, such as infection with HIV, can also weaken the immune system.
  • The history of the family. People who have a parent, sibling or child with lymphoma are at increased risk of the disease.
  • Specific infections. Some infections increase the risk of developing lymphoma. Examples include the Epstein-Barr virus, Helicobacter pylori and HIV.
  • Of his age. Some types of lymphoma are more common in adolescents and young adults. Others occur more often in people older than 55 years.

There is no way to prevent the lymphoma.

Diagnosis

Lymphoma diagnosis often begins with a test that verifies the presence of swollen lymph nodes in the neck, armpit and groin. Other tests include imaging tests and removing some cells for analysis. The type of tests used for the diagnosis may depend on the lymphoma of the location and its symptoms.

Physical Examination

A health professional may start by asking about your symptoms. The health care professional also may ask about your health history.

Then, the health professional can feel and press on the parts of your body to check for inflammation or pain. To find swollen lymph nodes, the health professional can feel the neck, armpit and groin. Make sure to say if you have felt any lumps or pain.

Biopsy

A biopsy is a procedure to remove a sample of tissue for testing in a lab. For lymphoma, the biopsy usually involves the removal of one or more lymph nodes. The lymph nodes to go to a lab to look for cancer cells. Other special tests to give more details on the cancer cells. Your health care team can use this information to make a treatment plan.

Imaging tests

Your health care team may recommend imaging tests to look for signs of lymphoma in other areas of your body. The tests may include CT, mri, and positron emission tomography scans, also called PET.

Treatment

Many types of treatments that exist for the lymphoma. Treatments include radiation therapy, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, targeted therapy, and bone marrow transplant, also called stem cell transplantation. Sometimes, a combination of treatments is used. The treatment that is best for you will depend on the type of lymphoma you have.

The treatment may not be necessary to get started right away

Treatment for lymphoma is not always needed to start immediately. Some types of lymphoma grow very slowly. You and your healthcare professional may decide to wait and receive treatment if the cancer starts to cause symptoms.

If you do not have treatment, you will have regular appointments with your health care professional to control the symptoms.

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy treats the cancer with strong medications. The majority of chemotherapy drugs are given through a vein. Some come in the form of a pill. Two or more of these medications are often used to treat lymphoma.

Immunotherapy

Immunotherapy for cancer is a treatment with a medication that helps the body's immune system to kill cancer cells. The immune system fights diseases by attacking the germs and other cells that should not be in the body. Cancer cells survive by hiding from the immune system. Immunotherapy helps the cells of the immune system find and kill cancer cells. Can be given for the different types of lymphoma.

Targeted therapy

Targeted therapy for cancer is a treatment that uses drugs that attack specific chemicals in cancer cells. By blocking these chemicals, specific treatments can cause cancer cells to die. Your lymphoma cells could be a test to see if the targeted therapy will help you.

Radiation therapy

Radiation therapy treats cancer with powerful rays of energy. The energy comes from the X-rays, protons or other sources. During radiation therapy, you lie on a table while a machine moves around you. The machine directs radiation to precise points on your body.

CAR-T cell therapy

Chimeric antigen Receptor (CAR)-T cell therapy, also called CAR-T cell therapy, train your immune system cells to fight against lymphoma. This treatment begins with the removal of some white blood cells, including T cells, in your blood. The cells are sent to a lab. In the laboratory, the cells are treated to recognize the lymphoma cells. The cells are then put back into your body. Then they can find and destroy lymphoma cells.

Alternative medicine

There are alternative medicines that have been found to treat the lymphoma. But the integrative medicine can help you deal with the stress of a cancer diagnosis and the side effects of cancer treatment.

Talk with your health care professional about your options, such as:

  • Acupuncture.
  • Art therapy.
  • The massage.
  • Meditation.
  • Music therapy.
  • The physical activity.
  • The relaxation exercises.
  • Yoga.

Coping and support

A diagnosis of lymphoma can be overwhelming. With the time you're going to find ways to cope with stress and uncertainty that often comes with a lymphoma diagnosis. Until then, you may find that it helps to:

Learn about lymphoma

If you want to know more about your lymphoma, ask your health professional for the details of your cancer. Ask about the type and its prognosis. Ask for good sources of up-to-date information about your treatment options. To know more about cancer and your options can help you feel more confident when making treatment decisions.

Keep your friends and family close

Your friends and family can be emotional support, and provide the practical support you need, such as help to take care of your house if you're in the hospital.

Find someone to talk to

Find a good listener, you can talk about your hopes and fears. This can be a friend or a family member. The concern and understanding of a counselor, medical social worker, clergy member or cancer support group may also be useful. Ask your healthcare provider about support groups in your area. You may also get in contact with a cancer of the organization, such as the National Cancer Institute or the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

Preparing for your appointment

Make an appointment with a doctor or other health care professional if you have any symptoms that worry you. If your healthcare provider suspects that you have a lymphoma, that person can refer you to a doctor that specializes in diseases that affect the cells of the blood. This type of doctor is called a hematologist.

Appointments can be brief, and there is much to discuss. It is a good idea to be prepared. I have here how to help you to prepare and what to expect:

What you can do

  • Be aware of any pre-appointment restrictions. When you make the appointment, ask if you need to do anything in advance, such as restrict your diet.
  • Write down any symptoms you're experiencing, even some that may seem unrelated to the reason why you scheduled the appointment.
  • Write down key personal information, including any major stresses or recent life changes.
  • Make a list of all medications, vitamins or supplements you are taking.
  • Consider the possibility of a family member or friend. Sometimes it can be difficult to remember all the information provided during an appointment. Someone who accompanies you may remember something that you missed or forgot.
  • Write questions to ask their health professional.

Your time with your doctor is limited, so preparing a list of questions can help you make the most of their time together. A list of questions from most important to least important in case time runs out. For lymphoma, some basic questions to ask include:

  • Do I have lymphoma?
  • What type of lymphoma I have?
  • What stage is my lymphoma?
  • It is my lymphoma aggressive or slow growing?
  • More evidence is needed?
  • I need treatment?
  • What are my treatment options?
  • What are the possible side effects of each treatment?
  • How will the treatment affect my daily life? Can I keep working?
  • How long is treatment?
  • There is a treatment that you feel is best for me?
  • If you have a friend or loved one in my situation, what advice would you give to that person?
  • Should I see a lymphoma specialist? What will that cost, and will my insurance cover it?
  • Do you have brochures or other printed material that I can take with me? What sites do you recommend?

Ask any other questions that come to mind during your appointment.

What to expect from your doctor

Your healthcare provider is likely to ask several questions. Be ready to answer them may allow more time to cover other points you want to address. Your health care professional may ask:

  • When was the first experience of the symptoms?
  • Your symptoms are continuous or occasional?
  • How severe are the symptoms?
  • What, in any case, help to improve the symptoms?
  • What, in any case, makes their symptoms worse?
  • Have someone in your family has had cancer, including lymphoma?
  • Do you or someone in your family had conditions of the immune system?
  • Have you or your family has been exposed to toxins?
The symptoms and treatment of Lymphoma