Have you ever had small lumps on your body, especially in places like your neck, armpits, and groin? Or have you ever felt extremely tired and lethargic for no reason? These things can happen even with a common cold. However, they can sometimes be symptoms of a type of cancer called lymphoma . So, today we will talk about what lymphoma is, how it develops, what are the symptoms, and whether there is a treatment.
What exactly is Lymphoma?
Simply put, lymphoma is a cancer that develops in our lymphatic system . Just like blood vessels, our body has a network of fine channels called the lymphatic system. Its main function is to protect our body from disease, that is, to fight germs. This lymphatic system is made up of lymph nodes, lymph vessels, and several other organs.
A special type of cell in this lymphatic system is called lymphocytes . These are actually a type of white blood cell. Lymphoma occurs when these lymph cells start to grow abnormally, out of control. Like a weed, these cells grow too much and clump together to form tumors. This is also considered a blood cancer, because it starts in the white blood cells.
There are two main types of lymphoma:
1. Hodgkin lymphoma
2. Non-Hodgkin lymphoma
In addition to these two types, there are more than 70 other subtypes. Some types of lymphoma are very aggressive, while others are very indolent. The best part is that most of the time, lymphoma can be controlled (remissioned) or completely cured with treatment. Anyone can develop lymphoma, from young children to adults. But in this article, we will mainly talk about lymphoma in adults.
Is lymphoma a common disease?
No, lymphoma is not a very common disease compared to other types of cancer. For example, the American Cancer Society expects that about 89,000 new cases of lymphoma will be diagnosed in the United States in 2023. At the same time, it is also said that about 236,740 cases of lung cancer will be diagnosed. So, it seems that lymphoma is relatively rare.
Who is at higher risk of developing lymphoma?
- Non-Hodgkin lymphoma usually occurs in people between the ages of 60 and 80. Men are more likely to develop it than women.
- Hodgkin lymphoma can develop in people between the ages of 20 and 39 and in people over the age of 65. It is also slightly more common in men.
What are the common symptoms of lymphoma?
Often, the symptoms of lymphoma can be similar to those of other, less serious illnesses. Don't be afraid to think you have lymphoma just because you have these symptoms. However, if you notice any changes or new symptoms that don't go away after a few weeks, it's best to see a doctor for advice.
Symptoms that may be common to both Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin lymphoma include:
- Painless swelling: One or more lymph nodes in the neck, armpit, or groin that are swollen and do not go away after a few weeks. These may feel like small lumps that can be felt in the hand.
- Persistent fatigue: Feeling tired and sluggish throughout the day, even after sleeping well.
- Recurrent fever: A fever of more than 103 Fahrenheit (39.5 Celsius) for more than two days, or a fever that subsides and then comes back.
- Drenching night sweats: Sweating so much at night while sleeping that the sheets and clothes get wet.
- Dyspnea: A feeling of tightness in the chest, like you can't breathe.
- Unexplained weight loss: Losing about 10% of your total weight within 6 months, without any diet or exercise.
Important: If you have one or more of these symptoms, it doesn't necessarily mean you have lymphoma. However, it's still important to seek medical advice.
What are the causes of lymphoma?
Lymphoma is caused by genetic changes (mutations) in white blood cells in the lymphatic system, which cause them to become rapidly growing cancer cells without control. It is often difficult to find out exactly what causes these genetic changes. This means that they often occur spontaneously .
However, research has found that certain conditions and problems may increase the risk of developing lymphoma. These include:
- If you have had or currently have a viral infection such as HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) , Epstein-Barr virus (the virus that causes mononucleosis or kissing disease) , or Kaposi sarcoma human immunodeficiency virus .
- If someone in your family has had lymphoma (family history).
- If your immune system is weakened by other illnesses or medical treatments. For example, people who have had organ transplants take medications called immunosuppressants to prevent the body from rejecting the transplanted organ. These medications weaken the immune system.
- If you have an autoimmune disease , this is a condition in which your body's immune system mistakenly attacks your own body instead of protecting you.
How is lymphoma diagnosed?
Doctors mainly perform several tests to diagnose lymphoma.
1. Physical examination: Check for the symptoms mentioned above. Check for swollen lymph nodes and organs such as the spleen.
2. Biopsy: This is the most important test to confirm lymphoma. A small piece of tissue is taken from a swollen lymph node or other suspicious tissue and examined under a microscope by a medical pathologist . This is what will tell you exactly whether cancer cells are present and, if so, what type of lymphoma it is.
If these tests suggest lymphoma, doctors will perform additional blood tests and imaging tests to find out more about the condition and plan treatment.
Blood tests
- Complete blood count (CBC) with differential: This checks the levels of things like white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets.
- Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR): This helps to get an idea of the inflammation in the body.
- Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH): This level may increase when cells are rapidly growing/dying.
- Liver and kidney function tests.
- Serum protein electrophoresis (SPEP): This is important to look for abnormal proteins (M proteins) that are produced in some lymphomas.
Imaging tests
- CT scan (Computed tomography - CT scan): This can be used to see if the lymph nodes, spleen, or other organs are swollen, and if the cancer has spread.
- PET scan (Positron emissions tomography - PET scan): This is very helpful in identifying areas where cancer cells are present. A PET scan is often done in conjunction with a CT scan . Sometimes an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scan is also used.
If you have non-Hodgkin lymphoma , your doctor may order additional tests to identify specific genes and proteins related to it.
What are the treatments for lymphoma?
Treatment for lymphoma varies depending on the type of lymphoma. For example, if you have a very aggressive type of lymphoma, your doctor may recommend what is called active surveillance or watchful waiting before starting treatment. This means that your health and symptoms of the lymphoma are closely monitored, and treatment is not started until the disease becomes more severe.
The most commonly used treatments for lymphoma are:
- Chemotherapy
- Radiation therapy
- Targeted therapy
- Immunotherapy
- CAR T-cell therapy
- Stem cell or bone marrow transplantation
Your doctor may also recommend palliative care as part of your treatment plan. This helps you manage symptoms and side effects of treatment. It also includes providing emotional support and comfort.
What are the side effects of the treatment?
Lymphoma treatments can cause a variety of side effects. Because everyone responds differently to the same treatment, it's important to ask your doctor about the side effects of your treatment and how to manage them.
How can you reduce the risk of developing lymphoma?
Researchers are still investigating the risk factors for developing lymphoma. There is reason to believe that certain types of viruses and family history may increase your risk of developing lymphoma. If you think you may be at risk for lymphoma because of your medical history or family history, talk to your doctor about it.
What hope can someone with lymphoma have?
Your prognosis is what you can expect after completing treatment. This depends on many things, such as the type of lymphoma you have, your age, and your overall health. However, in many cases, treatment can put the lymphoma into remission or even cure it completely. Remission means that you have no symptoms of lymphoma and no signs of lymphoma can be found on tests.
However, lymphoma that is in remission can recur. If you have lymphoma in remission, you will need to see your doctor for regular follow-up appointments. Your doctor will do tests to check for signs of lymphoma. Symptoms are things you feel and can describe. Signs are changes in things that can be measured with blood tests, such as fever and white blood cell counts.
What is the cure rate for lymphoma?
Overall, the data shows that 89% of people with Hodgkin lymphoma and 74% of people with non-Hodgkin lymphoma are alive five years after diagnosis.
These survival rates are estimates based on the experience of groups with the same disease. They do not give an exact estimate of how long someone will live with lymphoma. If you have any questions about this, ask your doctor.
How should I take care of myself if I have lymphoma?
If you have lymphoma, it can be very helpful to make a plan for living with it. This plan will help you during the initial treatment period, as well as during follow-up visits. Here are some things to consider when making your plan:
- Find out how lymphoma treatment will affect your daily life. Then you can decide if you need help at home or when you go to receive treatment.
- Eat a well-balanced diet. Include lean meats, vegetables, whole grains, and yogurt in your diet. Cancer treatment can cause loss of appetite. If this happens, talk to a nutritionist about ways to get the nutrients you need to stay energized during treatment.
- Make time for yourself. Do things like journaling, listening to music, spending time outdoors. Living with cancer is stressful. Things like meditation and breathing exercises can help reduce stress.
- Get some exercise. Research shows that exercise can reduce fatigue and stress and improve quality of life for people with lymphoma.
- Cancer can be a lonely experience. It can be difficult to talk to your family and friends about your illness. Ask your doctor about services and programs that can help you.
When should I see the doctor?
See your doctor anytime you think your lymphoma symptoms are getting worse, or anytime you need help managing the side effects of treatment.
When do you need to go to the emergency room?
Many cancer treatments affect your immune system. This means that your cancer treatment may increase your risk of developing infections. Here are some symptoms that may require you to go to the emergency room:
- A fever of 100.3 Fahrenheit (39.5 Celsius) or higher.
- Feeling cold and shivering (Chills).
- Productive or “wet” cough.
- Abdominal pain.
- Persistent diarrhea for more than two weeks.
What questions should I ask the doctor?
The questions you may have during your journey with cancer may change over time. If you have just been diagnosed with lymphoma, here are some basic questions you can ask:
- How do you know I have lymphoma?
- What type of lymphoma do I have?
- How long have I had this lymphoma?
- What treatment options do I have?
- What are the side effects of each treatment?
- What can I expect about my condition (prognosis)?
Is lymphoma a serious cancer?
It depends on the type of lymphoma you have. For example, non-Hodgkin lymphoma can make your body more susceptible to life-threatening infections, other types of cancer, and heart disease. According to statistics, about 300,000 people worldwide die from some type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
Can lymphoma be diagnosed through blood tests?
Blood tests can detect things like an increase in the number of white blood cells. These can be signs of blood cancers like lymphoma or leukemia. However, blood tests alone cannot tell for sure if you have lymphoma. Doctors diagnose lymphoma mainly based on the results of biopsy and imaging tests .
Where does lymphoma most often start?
Lymphoma can start anywhere in your body where you have lymphocytes. These are a type of white blood cell that fights infection. They are found in your lymph nodes, spleen, bone marrow, and other parts of your body. The most common first symptom is swollen lymph nodes in the neck, upper chest, armpits, abdomen, or groin.
How long can lymphoma be present without being known?
You can have lymphoma for years without experiencing any symptoms. Sometimes, signs of lymphoma are discovered incidentally during routine imaging tests done for another reason.
Finally, things to remember (Take-Home Message)
Lymphoma is a serious disease. Fortunately, treatments for lymphoma are improving, helping people live longer. The survival rate is increasing every year. Researchers are also discovering more about the risk factors for developing lymphoma.
If you think you may be at risk for lymphoma, talk to your doctor. If so, he or she will explain what you can do to protect your health.
Remember, early diagnosis and proper treatment are the most important things.
If you have any further questions about this, don't hesitate to ask a doctor. Stay healthy!
` lymphoma, cancer, lymph nodes, symptoms, treatment, Hodgkin lymphoma, non-Hodgkin lymphoma
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