Understanding The Symptoms Of Lymphoma Cancer
Understanding The Symptoms Of Lymphoma Cancer
Introduction
Cancer of the lymphatic system is known as lymphoma cancer. It is important to be able to identify the symptoms of the condition to be able to seek timely treatment. A point that needs to be borne in mid is that there are no options to prevent the condition in people with certain risk factors. The only option is to screen and undergo timely treatment. Here are simple methods to help in understanding the symptoms of lymphoma cancer.
What Is Lymphoma?
Understanding the symptoms of lymphoma cancer begins with awareness or an overview of the condition. As outlined above, this is a cancer of the lymphatic system, that is a part of the disease-fighting immune system of the body. The condition begins when healthy cells in the lymphatic system begin to grow out of control and change in nature.
The lymphatic system comprises lymph nodes that are located throughout the body. Typically, most of the lymph nodes are in the abdomen, the groin, chest, underarms and the neck. The lymphatic system comprises the spleen, thymus, tonsils and bone marrow.
The condition can affect all of the above areas, and also has the capability to affect other organs in the body.
What Is Hodgkin Lymphoma?
In continuation of understanding the symptoms of lymphoma cancer here is a quick overview of one of the sub-types. Known earlier as Hodgkin disease, this is one of the two types of this cancer. This type occurs when some of the white blood cells known as lymphocytes, begin to grow abnormally. This results in the formation of tumors in the lymph nodes, apart from other parts of the body.
Symptoms of this sub-type include:
Swollen lymph nodes – typically in the neck, underarms, or groin.
- Outbreak of fever.
- Sweating in the nights.
- Sudden loss of weight.
- Unexplained tiredness.
- Itching sensation in the skin.
There are categories in this condition:
- Classical Hodgkin Lymphoma, which happens to be the most common form.
- Nodular Lymphocyte-Predominant Hodgkin Lymphoma, that is known to be rare in prevalence.
The diagnosis of this condition includes physical examination of swollen nodes, apart from biopsy and imaging tests. This subtype of lymphoma cancer is regarded as having high survival rates, and can be treated very effectively, especially if diagnosed early. Treatment includes options such as chemotherapy, radiation therapy, immunotherapy, stem cell transplant.
What Is Non Hodgkin Lymphoma?
In continuation of understanding the symptoms of lymphoma cancer let us look at the difference between the two sub-types. Both are cancers of the lymphatic system, however, there is a difference in terms of the abnormal cells, symptoms presented, progression of the condition, and treatment.
The sub-categories of non-hodgkin lymphoma include:
- B-cell lymphomas, that happen to be the most common type.
- T-cell lymphomas, which are known to be relatively less common.
- There is another sub-category, slow-growing or fast-growing.
Commonly reported symptoms include:
- Swollen lymph nodes, typically in the neck, armpits, or groin.
- Outbreak of fever and night sweats
- Abnormal tiredness.
- Sudden loss of weight.
- Pain in the abdomen or possible swelling.
- Cough that does not go away, and difficulty breathing.
Diagnosis: includes physical examination, biopsy of lymph node, and imaging tests. Other tests include blood tests and bone marrow biopsy. Treatment outcomes depend on the type and the stage of the condition. The slow growing types can be managed for many years with the right treatment, while the aggressive types are known to respond to treatment quickly.
Treatment includes low-intensity therapies, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, immunotherapy, CAR T-cell therapy and stem cell transplant.
What Are The Risk Factors Of Lymphoma Cancer?
With the above understanding the symptoms of lymphoma cancer here is a look at the risk factors of the condition. Some factors are known to trigger increased risk and include the following:
- Weakened immune system – When the immune system is weak as a result of medicines or other disease, there is the possibility of higher risk. For instance, patients on medicines to control the immune system post organ transplant, HIV infections are likely to have a weakened immune system.
- Family history – Patients with a family of the condition are exposed to higher risk. This could be a parent, sibling or child with the condition.
- Certain infections – People with Epstein-Barr virus or Helicobacter pylori infections are likely to be at higher risk of lymphoma cancer.
- Age – Certain age groups are prone to specific types of lymphoma.
What Are The Options For Lymphoma Treatment?
With the above understanding the symptoms of lymphoma cancer, it is time to look at the treatment options. Before that, here is a quick look at the advantages of genetic testing of this cancer. Advanced genetic testing facilities in Tamilnadu offer valuable insights, helping plan treatment, apart from identifying inherited predispositions.
Genetic testing for tumor profiling analyzes genetic mutations and changes in lymphoma cells. This also helps to classify subtypes, offering important inputs on targeted therapies. Germline genetic testing tests the inherited DNA to identify genetic conditions like Li-Fraumeni syndrome or Ataxia-Telangiectasia.
Treatment of lymphoma includes chemotherapy using drugs to kill cancer cells or prevent the cells from growing. Possible side effects of chemotherapy include fatigue, nausea, loss of hair, lowered immunity. Another option is radiation therapy, using high-energy rays to destroy cancer cells. Side effects of this therapy includes skin irritation, sudden fatigue, and tissue damage.
Other treatment options include targeted therapy using drugs to target molecules that cause growth of cancer cells. Immunotherapy is the next option, where the immune system gets a boost to fight cancer. Stem cell transplant, also known as bone marrow transplant, involves replacing the damaged bone marrow with healthy cells. This is used when there is a relapse, or after high-dose chemotherapy in an effort to restore the production of blood cells. The possible side effects of this option include expose to risk of infections, and diseases due to transplant in the host.
Treatment outcomes will depend on various factors. However, a broad understanding of results can be as outlined below.
- For early-stage Hodgkin Lymphoma, the ideal option may be chemotherapy with or without radiation.
- When the condition is diagnosed as aggressive Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma, the suggested option may include R-CHOP, CAR T-cell therapy, and transplants.
- When the condition is diagnosed as indolent NHL, ideal treatment may include targeted therapy and long-term disease control.
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Education: Bachelor of Pharmacy (B.Pharm) from the Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS), Mumbai Experience: Agarwal is a seasoned pharmacist with over 7 years of experience in the pharmaceutical field. She has worked in various settings, including hospital pharmacies and community clinics, where she has excelled in medication management, patient counseling, and clinical support. Agarwal is known for her expertise in drug therapy optimization and patient safety. In addition to her practical experience, she contributes to health journalism, focusing on pharmaceutical advancements and health policy, and is involved in research projects aimed at improving medication practices and health outcomes. is known for her expertise in drug therapy optimization and patient safety. In addition to her practical experience, she contributes to health journalism, focusing on pharmaceutical advancements and health policy, and is involved in research projects aimed at improving medication practices and health outcomes.