A Family Doctor's Tale - LYMPHOMA

DOC I HAVE LYMPHOMA

Lymphoma is a blood cancer which causes the presence of large number of abnormal lymphocytes which is a type of white blood cell. It can cause the lymph nodes along the path of lymphatic vessels to enlarge appearing as lumps on the skin or inside the lung cavity or abdominal cavity.
In most cases the patient is detected through enlargement of lymph nodes on the body or inside the body (through CT Scan). There is corresponding loss of weight and large amounts of lymphocytes in the blood. Once detected treatment must instituted quickly as the abnormal cells can spread very quickly. Chemotherapy is the treatment of choice.
Bone marrow transplants can also help in fighting the cancer.


Lymphoma is a cancer of the of the tissue of the lymphatic system where there is a large number of abnormal white blood cells called lymphocytes causing swelling of lymph nodes or involvement of the other organs. This can disrupt the immune-system cells and reduce a person's ability to resist infections and diseases. The lymph nodes  become swollen forming painless lumps or tumors.

Although lymphomas usually begin in a lymph node, it also can originate in the stomach, intestines, skin or any other organ that contains lymphoid tissue. Lymph nodes are found anywhere in the body, particularly in the neck, armpits, groin, above the heart and around the big blood vessels inside the abdomen.

1.Men are at a higher risk of getting lymphomas.
The disease is uncommon among younger men.
It  often develops after the age of 50.
2. past history of severe viral infections which lowers your immune system
eg. HIV virus
3.history of organ transplants and on immuno suppressive drugs
4.history of cancer and previous treatment with chemotherapy or radiation therapy
5. frequent exposure to chemicals, solvents,pesticides
6.family history of lymphoma

There are two main types of lymphoma.
They are:
1.Hodgkin's Disease
Hodgkin's disease is characterized by the presence of a specific type of abnormal cell called the Reed-Sternberg cell. This cancer can spread throughout the lymphatic system, affecting any organ or lymph tissue in the body.
Hodgkin's disease usually attack people in their late 20s or older than 50.

2.Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma
Most lymph cancers are non-Hodgkin's lymphomas. There are many types of non-Hodgkin's lymphomas.
Non-Hodgkin's lymphomas develops in the age group of 60 - 70.

Different types of lymphoma occur in different age groups.

1.Adult non-Hodgkin's lymphoma is classified by the size, shape and arrangement of the cancer cells in the lymph node. The appearance will determine the type of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. The degree or seriousness of the disease is broken into three types (grades) -
1.low-grade (slower-growing),
2.intermediate grade and
3.high-grade (aggressive).
These grades are crucial in determining the treatment options to treat the cancer.
In childhood - Childhood non-Hodgkin's lymphomas include lymphoblastic lymphoma, large cell lymphoma and small non-cleaved cell lymphoma (including Burkitt's and non-Burkitt's lymphomas).

The most common symptom associated with lymphoma is
1.lymph node swelling. A painless swelling initially surfaces in the early stages of the cancer. This swelling may persist or increase in size. The most common affected areas would be the neck, armpits or groin.
Other symptoms are:
2.unexplained constant fever,
3.sudden weight loss,
4. itchy skin or rashes,
5. night sweats and
6. abdominal pain

There is no known cause for lymphomas.
However, it has been closely linked to several factors -
1) environmental influences, 
Environmental influences may take the form of extreme
exposure to certain chemicals like herbicides and insecticides.
2) genetic factors
There are inherited immune-deficiency disorders from birth such as Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome which have been blamed for the cause of genetic factors that result in lymphomas.
3) viral infections.
Viral infections such as the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) have been associated with lymphomas.

Hodgkin's Disease can only be treated with radiation therapy using high-energy X-rays to kill lymphoma cells in the affected area(s). This procedure may also be combined with chemotherapy.

Treatment for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, can vary. The treatment is based on the degree of grade of the disease.
1.Early stage and low-grade (slow-growing) lymphoma can be treated with radiation therapy and sometimes just simple observation is enough.
2. intermediate-grade lymphoma may be treated with chemotherapy. The drugs are either injected directly into the bloodstream or swallowed as pills. Each course of treatment is given at regulated intervals to kill cancer cells and allow the body to recover. The drugs circulate throughout the body and will reach cancer cells even when they are widespread.

Patients who are suffering from the more advanced stages and high-grade (aggressive) lymphomas will require a higher dosage of chemotherapy. However, the high dosage has its own side effects. Too much of it may kill healthy bone marrow that produces white and red blood cells and platelets (cells that prevent bleeding).
Therefore, to assist patients tolerate the high dosage of chemotherapy treatment, stem cells or bone marrow from the patient or donor are collected beforehand. After a patient has received the chemotherapy, the stem cells or bone marrow are returned to the patient through a drip in a vein.

In addition to the above treatment methods, another option for treating lymphomas would be biological therapy. This procedure uses products such as immunoglobulin that boost the body's own immune system to fight cancer. This therapy may be used alone or combined with chemotherapy.

In conclusion, the type of treatment sought or used depends very much on the stage, and grade of the lymphoma when diagnosed and the age and health of the patient. Usually, doctors will advise their patients on the various treatment options that are the most beneficial and appropriate whilst considering the factors mentioned above.

1.Where exposure to some toxins and chemicals which are known to cause lymphomas are possible, one should be properly attired and guarded from these chemicals, so as to decrease the risk of developing the disease.

2.Since HIV / AIDS carriers are also related to lymphomas, one should be aware of the importance of safe sex and should stay away from drugs, as far as possible.

3.regular visits to the family doctor helps in detecting any sign or symptom that may eventually lead to the cancer.

4.healthy lifestyle