Have you ever noticed a small lump in your neck or armpit? Most of the time, these are normal, but sometimes they can be a sign of a disease like lymphoma. Today we are talking about one such type of cancer, Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma. Don't be scared when you hear this name. Let's understand everything about this simply and clearly.
Simply put, what is non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL)?
Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma (NHL) is a group of blood cancers that develop in our lymphatic system . Now you may be wondering what the lymphatic system is. It is a major part of our body's immune system. Like our country's defense force, this system protects us by fighting off germs that cause disease.
There are special soldier-like cells in this lymphatic system. We call them lymphocytes . These are a type of white blood cell. When there is a change in the genes of these lymphocyte cells, that is, a mutation, those cells start to divide and multiply uncontrollably. That is the cancer that develops in this way, we call it non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
These abnormal cells often collect in our lymph nodes and form tumors . They can also spread to other organs in the lymphatic system, such as our spleen.
But remember this: With today's advanced treatments, people with non-Hodgkin lymphoma are living longer than ever before. Sometimes treatment can completely cure the disease. Other times, the goal of treatment is to keep the disease in remission for as long as possible, without symptoms.
Are there types of these NHLs?
Yes, there are more than 70 main types of this disease. But they are mainly divided according to the type of lymphocyte cell that is affected.
- B-cell lymphoma: These arise from a type of lymphocyte called B cells. These B cells are the ones that make antibodies to fight off germs when they enter our bodies. About 85% of NHL patients belong to this category.
- T-cell lymphoma: These arise from a type of lymphocyte called T cells. These T cells fight germs directly and also help B cells.
In addition, doctors also classify these types of lymphoma according to how quickly they spread.
- Aggressive: This type can spread quickly throughout the body, so it requires intensive treatment.
- Indolent: This type spreads very slowly . Sometimes, treatment is not needed in the early stages.
What are the symptoms of this disease?
The most common symptom of this disease is a painless swelling or lump in the neck, armpit, or groin. These are called swollen lymph nodes. But remember, cancer is not the only cause of swollen lymph nodes. This can happen even with a common cold or flu.
Apart from that, symptoms can vary depending on where the cancer cells are located. Let's take a closer look at that in the table below.
| Symptom category | Description |
|---|---|
| General characteristics |
|
| Chest-related symptoms | |
| Stomach-related symptoms |
The important thing is that these symptoms can also be seen in many other diseases. So don't be afraid to think you have lymphoma just because you have one or more of these. But if these symptoms persist for several weeks, it's definitely a good idea to see a doctor and get checked out.
What are B symptoms?
When diagnosing lymphoma, doctors look for three specific symptoms called "B symptoms." These are:
1. Fever without a cause
2. Excessive sweating at night
3. Weight loss for no reason
Whether or not these symptoms are present can help identify the type of lymphoma you have and determine the best treatment.
What are the risk factors for developing this disease?
The exact cause of non-Hodgkin lymphoma has not yet been discovered. However, several factors have been identified that increase the likelihood, or risk, of developing this disease.
| Risk factor | Description |
|---|---|
| Age | People over the age of 60 are at higher risk. The risk increases further as you get older. |
| A weak immune system | Weakened immunity due to conditions such as HIV infection. People who take immunosuppressive medications after an organ transplant are also at increased risk. |
| Autoimmune diseases | People with diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis may be at slightly increased risk. |
| Certain infections | Infections such as H. pylori, Epstein-Barr virus, and Hepatitis C can increase the risk of NHL. |
| Family history | If your parents, siblings, or children have had lymphoma or another blood cancer, you are also at slightly higher risk. |
| Exposure to pesticides | Some research has shown that people with high exposure to pesticides and herbicides may be at slightly increased risk. |
How to diagnose the disease? (Diagnosis)
When you go to see a doctor, he or she will follow a few steps to accurately diagnose the disease.
- Physical exam: First, the doctor will ask you about your symptoms and examine your body for signs such as swollen lymph nodes.
- Blood tests: Tests like a complete blood count (CBC) give an idea of your overall health.
- Imaging tests: Tests such as CT scans, MRI scans, and PET scans can look for cancer cells inside the body.
- Biopsy: This is the only way to confirm the disease 100% of the time. This involves taking a small piece of tissue from a swollen lymph node or area and examining it under a microscope. This is the only way to know for sure whether lymphoma cells are present or not.
- Immunophenotyping: This is a special test that examines cells taken from a biopsy to help identify exactly what type of NHL it is.
Stages of the disease
After the tests, the doctor will determine the stage of your disease. This is very important for planning treatment.
| Stage | Description |
|---|---|
| Stage I | The cancer cells are only in one lymph node area or one organ in the lymphatic system. |
| Stage II | There are cancer cells in two or more lymph node areas on the same side (above or below) of the diaphragm. |
| Stage III | There are cancer cells in the lymph nodes on both sides (above and below) of the diaphragm. |
| Stage IV | The cancer has spread outside the lymphatic system to one or more organs, such as the liver or lungs. |
What are the treatments?
The treatment you need depends on many factors, including the type of NHL you have, the stage of the disease, and your overall health.
- Active surveillance: If you have an indolent form and have no symptoms, your doctor may decide to watch your progress without treatment. Here, you are monitored regularly and treatment is only started if symptoms develop.
- Chemotherapy: This is the most commonly used treatment method. It involves administering drugs to the body that kill cancer cells.
- Targeted therapy: These drugs target and attack a specific weakness in cancer cells. Monoclonal antibody therapy is one such treatment.
- Immunotherapy: This involves stimulating your own immune system to destroy cancer cells. CAR T-cell therapy is one such advanced treatment.
- Radiation therapy: This involves using high-energy rays (e.g. X-rays) to destroy cancer cells.
- Stem cell transplantation: This is often done if other treatments have not worked. This involves giving high-dose chemotherapy to kill the cancer cells, then injecting healthy stem cells into the body.
Before starting treatment, talk to your doctor about possible side effects. Most side effects are temporary and go away once treatment is finished.
How to live with the disease?
When living with NHL, there are several things you can do to take care of yourself.
- Eat good nutritious food. Food is energy. Eating well can help maintain your body's energy.
- Get as much rest as possible. Treatment may make you feel tired. Rest helps your body regain its strength.
- Manage your stress. Living with cancer is not easy. Talk to your doctor, family, or a trusted friend about your fears and concerns.
- Exercise. Ask your doctor for a light exercise routine that is right for you.
- Learn about palliative care. This is about helping to make life easier by reducing the patient's pain, discomfort, and stress, regardless of the stage of the disease.
When should I see the doctor?
If you are undergoing treatment and your symptoms worsen or new symptoms appear , inform your doctor immediately. Once treatment is complete, be sure to attend your scheduled clinic appointments.
When should you go to the Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU)?
If you develop severe symptoms, for example, severe difficulty breathing or heavy bleeding, go to the nearest hospital's Emergency Department (ETU) immediately.
Take-Home Message
- Don't ignore painless lumps in the neck, armpits, or groin. See a doctor as they could be a sign of lymphoma.
- Non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) is not a single disease, but a group of cancers with many types. Treatment depends on the type you have.
- Today's advanced treatments (such as chemotherapy and immunotherapy) can largely control this disease and even cure some types completely.
- Talk openly with your doctor about any questions, fears, or doubts you have about this disease. Don't suffer alone.
💬 අදහස් (0)
තවමත් කිසිදු අදහසක් පළ කර නොමැත. ඔබේ අදහස පළමු වරට මෙහි එක් කරන්න.
ඔබේ අදහස එක් කරන්න