Defining Lymphoma

Answer 1

Lymphoma is a cancer in the blood that manifests when your lymphocytes start acting erratically. Lymphocytes are white blood cells that travel in a fluid called lymph. The lymphatic system helps your body fight against infections and diseases. When the lymphocytes begin developing and increasing, lymphoma occurs. There are two types of lymphocytes: B-cells and T-cells. Lymphoma begins when B cells or T cells start growing and increasing irrepressibly.

Types of Lymphomas

There are two types of lymphomas: Hodgkin lymphoma and non-Hodgkin lymphoma. In Hodgkin lymphoma, also known as Hodgkin's disease, there are 5 types of Hodgkin lymphoma (HL). Hodgkin lymphoma consists of Reed-Sternberg cells, an abnormal lymphocyte. The number of cells multiplies as the disease progresses. In non-Hodgkin lymphoma, there are other various types of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). Any lymphoma that does not consist of Reed-Sternberg cells is considered as non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Both HL and NHL have comparable symptoms and it can occur in similar places in your body. The only exception is the kind of lymphocytes involved and the differentiation can only be seen through a microscope.

Symptoms

Symptoms of lymphoma cancer are:

• Fever
• Unusual weight loss
• Lumps in the neck, groin area or armpits
• Stomach pain
• Chest pains
• Coughing or difficulty breathing
• Fatigue
• Itching
• Night sweats
• Chills

The most common symptoms are lumps in the armpits, neck or groin area.

Diagnosis

Lymphoma can be diagnosed with the following imaging tests:

• X-rays
• Computerized Tomography (CT)
• Positron Emission Tomography (PET)
• Magnetic Reasonance Imaging (MRI)
• Lymphangiogram
• Gallium Scan

Lymphoma could also be diagnosed by performing a biopsy. Biopsy is a procedure where the pathologist takes a small sample of your tissue and looks at it under the microscope for abnormal lymphocytes. The sample is extracted by inserting a needle through your skin. A sample of your bone marrow is taken from your hip bone. Although it may be uncomfortable, biopsy of a bone marrow can be performed in a medical office.

Treatment Options

There are many types of treatments available. The type of treatment you would receive depends on your type, stage and the aggressiveness of cancer. Lymphoma cancer is commonly treated by chemotherapy, radiation therapy and biological therapy. There are other treatment options, which should be discussed with your doctor.

Survival RateHodgkin's lymphoma is curable and it is one of the curable cancers. NHL's outlook has improved and the survival rate has increased over the years. NHL has to be approached more aggressively and it may take longer to treat, but it could also be treated. Support

There are cancer foundations and support groups to help you through this traumatic ordeal. There are many services that offer help, advice and treatment options. You can educate yourself by talking to other cancer patients and medical professionals to gain information and support. You are not alone and you do not have to go through with this alone.