Blog

What Causes Lymphoma Cancer?

What Causes Lymphoma Cancer?

Introduction

Incidence rates of lymphoma are 4 for every 1,00,000 males and 2.8 for every 1,00,000 females in India. This makes it necessary for the right approach to diagnosis and treatment of the condition. Following sub-sections offer factual responses to the question – what causes lymphoma cancer? This allows you to quickly understand symptoms that can be identified, and seek medical evaluation for diagnosis and treatment.

Brief Introduction To Lymphoma Cancer

Before looking at what causes lymphoma cancer let’s look at a quick overview of the condition. This is type of cancer that afflicts the lymphatic system. This system, in turn, is important for the body’s immune defense.

The lymphatic system comprises lymph nodes throughout the body, mainly in the abdomen, groin, chest, underarms, and neck. It also includes the spleen, thymus, tonsils, and bone marrow.

Lymphoma cancer can affect any of these areas and may also spread to other organs in the body.

Symptoms And Treatment Options Of Hodgkin Lymphoma

One of the subtypes of Lymphoma is Hodgkin lymphoma, earlier known as Hodgkin’s disease. This occurs when certain white blood cells start growing abnormally, resulting in tumors in the lymph nodes and other parts of the body.

Symptoms of Hodgkin Lymphoma:

  • Swollen lymph nodes – usually seen in the neck, underarms, or groin.
  • Fever without any plausible cause.
  • Sudden outbreak of night sweats.
  • Unexplained weight loss without any linked reason.
  • Persistent tiredness.
  • Itching sensation in the skin.

Types of Hodgkin Lymphoma:

  • Classical Hodgkin Lymphoma  
  •  Nodular Lymphocyte-Predominant Hodgkin Lymphoma

Treatment options:  

  •       Chemotherapy
  •       Radiation therapy
  •       Immunotherapy
  •       Stem cell transplant

Symptoms And Treatment Options Of Non Hodgkin Lymphoma

Here is a look at the main differences between the first sub-type and the second sub-type. Both subtypes affect the lymphatic system, however, there are differences in the nature of abnormal cells and some of the symptoms. Other key differences include the way the disease progresses, and the approach to treatment.

Subtypes of Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma  

  1. B-cell lymphomas  
  2. T-cell lymphomas  

Symptoms that are different from Hodgkin lymphoma:

  •  Pain in the abdomen, or swelling.
  • Cough that does not go away, or difficulty breathing.

Treatment options:

  •  Low-intensity therapies for slow-growing types.
  • Chemotherapy & radiation therapy to target cancer cells.
  • Immunotherapy to boost the immune response.
  • CAR T-cell therapy – through genetically modified T-cells.
  • Stem cell transplant for advanced cases.

People At High Risk Of Lymphoma Cancer

With the above understanding of what causes lymphoma cancer lets look at people at high risk of the condition.  

  •  Weak immune system – tis could be as a result of specific medications or diseases. For example, people on immunosuppressive drugs after organ transplant or HIV patients. 
  • Family history – People with either a parent, or sibling, or child with lymphoma.
  • Infections – Some infections like the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) or Helicobacter pylori.  
  • Age– People in specific age groups are at risk of higher incidence of specific types of the condition.

What Are The Different Lymphoma Treatment Options

Before delving into various treatment options, here is a look at genetic testing options in Tamilnadu. These facilities offer patients advanced capabilities to predict lifetime or future risk of certain conditions.

Genetic testing & its advantages

Advantages include reliable information for treatment planning and identifying inherited predispositions. Testing includes the following:

  •  Tumor Profiling – Analyzes genetic mutations in lymphoma cells, and classifies subtypes, helping in determining targeted therapies.
  •  Germline Genetic Testing – Looks at inherited DNA to look for genetic conditions like Li-Fraumeni syndrome or Ataxia-Telangiectasia. These are known to increase lymphoma risk.

Treatment options

Chemotherapy – Uses drugs to kill or stop cancer cell growth. Side effects include fatigue, nausea, hair loss, and weakened immunity.

  1. Radiation therapy – Uses high-energy rays to destroy cancer cells. Side effects include skin irritation, fatigue, and potential tissue damage.
  2. Targeted therapy – Uses specialized drugs to block molecules responsible for cancer cell growth.
  3. Immunotherapy – Boosts the body’s immune system to fight cancer cells more effectively.
  4. Stem Cell Transplant – Also known as Bone Marrow Transplant replaces damaged bone marrow with healthy cells. This is generally after high-dose chemotherapy or in cases of relapse. Side effects include increased risk of infections and transplant-related complications.

Quick introduction to cell lymphoma

With the above information on what causes lymphoma cancer here is a brief introduction to cell lymphoma. This type of lymphoma afflicts specific white blood cells that are known as lymphocytes. These cells are an essential part of the lymphatic system.

Different types of Cell lymphoma

  • B-Cell Lymphoma – This is the most common type, affecting B lymphocytes, which are responsible for producing antibodies to fight infections.
  • T-Cell Lymphoma – This is a less common type, impacting T lymphocytes, which regulate immune responses and help destroy infected cells.
  • NK-Cell Lymphoma – This is known to be a rare and aggressive form, affecting natural killer (NK) cells, another type of immune cell that plays a crucial role in targeting abnormal or infected cells.

By understanding these classifications, it is possible to determine the treatment approaches better. This is because different subtypes respond to different therapies

Why Do People With Lymphoma Have Swollen Lymph Nodes?

It is important to understand the role of swollen lymph nodes in lymphoma cancer. This swelling is a common symptom of lymphoma, announcing that the lymphatic system has been affected. Lymph nodes are small, bean-shaped glands that have an important role in filtering toxins and preventing infections.

The reason behind the swelling

When the person is afflicted with lymphoma, abnormal lymphocyte growth occurs. This causes the lymph nodes to enlarge. As a result of the accumulation of cancerous cells within the nodes, swelling is experienced. However, unlike swelling from infections, lymphoma-related swelling is painless. This will be evident or noticed in:

  •       The neck
  •       The armpits
  •       The groin

Lymph node swelling characteristics

The swelling with be painless, and unexplained. This is often one of the earliest signs of lymphoma. When the disease progresses, the size of the lymph nodes may grow and become easily noticeable. The swelling could either be localized or spread to multiple areas. This depends on the type and stage of lymphoma.

January 27, 2025 Cancer