ABOUT Lymphoma - Symptoms, Causes and Treatment
What is Lymphoma?
The word lymphoma means "an uncontrolled growth of
cells in the lymph system." Lymphoma is a type of cancer that originates
from a person's white blood cells. The lymphatic system is a network of
vessels, glands, and organs that produce, transport, store or fight infection
in the body.
Signs and symptoms of primary lymphoma include:
·
Fatigue
·
Weight loss
·
Bone pain
·
Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
·
Fever (fever and chills)
·
Swollen glands
·
Weight gain
·
Difficulty breathing
The initial symptom of lymphoma may be swollen glands
in the neck or armpits. Other signs and symptoms are often similar to other
types of cancer.
People are often concerned about the likelihood of
getting lymphoma.
Primary Lymphoma is one of the most common forms of
cancer, affecting approximately 3.7 million people worldwide every year, with
over 80% of all cases occurring in women.
It is more prevalent in adults aged 40–80 years,
especially those living in developing countries. The process that causes
lymphoma usually starts decades before it develops into a full-blown disease.
Although mostly rare, any person may be affected and
the word "lymphoma" does not always indicate an aggressive form of
the disease.
What Are The Different Types Of Lymphoma?
The most common kind of lymphoma is lymphoblastic
leukemia. It occurs when the bone marrow produces abnormal white blood cells.
Another common type of lymphoma is Burkitt's lymphoma.
It occurs in the large (macrophage-like) lymph nodes in
the neck, armpit, or groin. Histologically, this form of cancer contains large
mononuclear cells with forked tails (follicular) and interspersed eosinophils
(Mantle cells).
The last type is high-grade B cell chronic lymphocytic
leukemia, where the cells have a prominent cytoplasmic reticulum. In addition,
lymphomas with mixed cellularity are also called "subtypes" and
include nodular sclerosis and extranodal marginal zone B-cell lymphoma.
What Are Lymphoma And The Difference Between Primary And Secondary Lymphoma?
Lymphoma, like other cancers, can develop in response
to a variety of treatments or external factors such as infection.
When lymphocytes (the white blood cells) become
cancerous, they become malignant. In some cases, malignant cells begin to grow
uncontrollably and form a tumor. In others, the lymphocytes attack the body's
tissues.
In lymphoma, both kinds of changes can happen
simultaneously. Lymphoma is divided into two categories: first and secondary
lymphoma.
Primary lymphoma develops from a benign (non-cancerous)
growth of white blood cells begins on its own without any cause or begins on
its own without any cause or outside infection.
Secondary lymphoma occurs as a result of persistent
infection by viruses or other infectious agents such as molluscum contagiosum
virus, cytomegalovirus, Epstein—Barr virus, human immunodeficiency virus, etc.
What Are The Signs And Symptoms Of Lymphoma?
Many people with lymphoma are asymptomatic. Other
common symptoms include fatigue, weight loss, fever, enlarged lymph nodes in
the neck, armpits or groin may feel warm or tender to the touch. Swollen glands
occur more frequently in children than adults.
The initial symptom is often swelling nodes. Other
signs and symptoms are often similar to other types of cancer. In some cases,
lymphoma may cause a very serious illness known as Disseminated Intravascular
Coagulation (DIC), or "bleeding from the blood vessels," which can
lead to internal bleeding and death.
How is Lymphoma Diagnosed?
You may be diagnosed with lymphoma depending on the
appearance of your skin, blood, or other tissues. Based on a person's symptoms
and your medical history, your doctor will perform several tests to diagnose
lymphomas.
This includes a physical examination by a doctor to
check for redness in the skin, weight loss, bone pain, fever, night sweats, and
swollen glands. A blood test can also detect cancer cells in the bloodstream.
These tests will help doctors tell whether or not you
have lymphoma and guide them in deciding on the best treatment options.
Additional tests such as an X-ray, CT scan, PET scan,
bone scan, lymph node biopsy, and other blood tests may be performed to confirm
the diagnosis and assess the extent of the disease.
What is Lymphoma Treatment?
Treatment for lymphoma depends on its classification
and several factors such as the patient's age, sex, health condition, and type
of tumor cells. The goal of your treatment will be to manage symptoms before or
after starting chemotherapy.
Frequently Asked Questions on Lymphoma
What is The Difference Between Lymphoma And Leukemia?
Lymphoma and leukemia are both types of cancer that
affect white blood cells. In lymphoma, the cells grow in the lymph glands,
while in leukemias they grow in the bone marrow.
Both diseases have similar symptoms and can have an impact
on your general health. However, a distinction should be made between primary
and secondary lymphoma.
The latter is a form of cancer that occurs in a
previously healthy person due to chronic infection by viruses or other
infectious organisms.
What Are The Common Types Of Lymphoma?
There are several subtypes of lymphoma, some more
common than others. Some of the most widespread are follicular B-cell
non-Hodgkin lymphoma, diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, mantle cell lymphoma,
chronic lymphocytic leukemia, small lymphocytic leukemia, Waldenström
macroglobulinemia, and acute promyelocytic leukemia.
