What is lymphoma
What is lymphoma?
Introduction
Lymphoid or lymphatic network form’s part your immunity system. This network exists as a complimentary network to your circulation system. Lymphoid includes lymphatic vessel(s), lymph nodes, organs, tissues and the very lymph itself. Of these, lymph is a fluid handled by vessels; these take this fluid to your cardiac system for effective circulation. Lymph is quite identical to the plasma of your blood. Cells present in lymph are known as lymphocytes.
Lymphocytes
These are essentially white cells of your blood. There are three (3) distinctive categories of these cells, namely – T cells, NK (natural killer) and B cells. Of these B cells and T cells are key constituents of your body’s immunity response mechanism. B cells are associated with the making of antibodies while T cells are engaged in upping the immunity strength.
Upon locating a risk (say, a pathogen or a microbe), a sizable increase in antibodies is enabled. This action paralyses threats issued by bacteria or viral strands. Natural killers are cells (NK) belong to your innate immunity network; these cells safeguard your body from viral infections as well as tumors.
Lymph nodes in body
These nodes are small sized structures. These help in fortifying your body against threats of infections or possible invasions by pathogens / microbes. They measure nearly 1.5 centimetres (cm) and are shaped in the form of a kidney or an oval-battery (AAA sized battery). Such nodes belong to the lymphatic network of the human body.
Your body has more than 620 nodes, and these are present all over your system. It is possible to feel a few of these lymph nodes; for instance, you can sense these nodes’ presence as small-sized bumps. These bumps can be seen in armpits, neck as well as groin. In most cases, you may not know where they are located i.e., neither do you know about their presence nor the way they work for your overall wellbeing
What is lymphoma?
This is a cancerous condition that involves lymphocytes i.e., a form of white cells of the blood. This condition is detected by conducting a biopsy of the lymph nodes. This is done by removal of a node – either in part or in full – and assessing it under a powerful microscope. A few types of lymphoma – such as small lymphocytic cancers – are largely indolent. They can exist without causing harm; hence, this condition is seldom treated.
But there are a few dynamic versions of lymphoma like Burkitt’s syndrome or lymphoma. This condition is known for its rapid rate of deterioration, eventually leading to a fatal outcome. Of the many types of lymphoma – a broad approach is bifurcating the conditions as either Hodgkin or non-Hodgkin forms of lymphoma.
Hodgkin lymphoma accounts for less than 11% of total cases. On the other hand, non-Hodgkin lymphoma takes the lion’ share of more than 88% of incidence. Risks associated with Hodgkin form of lymphoma include infections by a strand of virus called Epstein Barr strand. Also, a prior history of incidence of Hodgkin lymphoma is another clear risk indicator.
The Epstein Barr strand of virus belongs to the herpes genre. This strand has the distinction of being the first ever isolated form of oncogenic virus; this form of virus is known to cause cancers.
On the other hand, risks associated with non-Hodgkin lymphoma cancers are incidence of a few types of autoimmune conditions, onset of HIV or AIDS, overuse of immunosuppressants as well as exposure to harmful chemicals viz., pesticides and a few vermicides. Those who take sizable servings of red meats; those who smoke a lot of tobacco-based goods are also at added risk.
Lymphoma symptoms
Many of the symptoms of lymphoma are non-specific. But persistence of most of its symptoms may lead to a medical examination / lab-based assessments. Some of the symptoms include inflammation of lymph nodes – especially in your groin and / or armpits. Though these swellings are all mostly painless, persistent inflammation may require medical attention. A few B-related symptoms are likely to occur. These may take the form of an increase in body temperature, sweating profusely during sleep hours, an inexplicable loss of body weight, etc.
The aforesaid signs of lymphoma may show up along with a few other general signs; these are incidence of anaemia or deficiency of iron, severe spells of anorexia or drop in appetite level, being tired for most part of the day, dyspnoea or breathing difficulties, itchiness, etc.
Follicular lymphoma
This is a cancerous condition that occurs in lymphocytes. This cancer develops through the unchecked growth / multiplication of a few forms of B cells of your lymphatic network. These cells are known as Centro blasts and centrocytes. These types of cancerous conditions show up at the follicles of lymph nodes as well as follicles of lymph-network’s tissues. Cancers of this type take a follicle-type of structure as they multiply at an accelerated pace.
Centrocyte form of lymphoma as well as centralistic type of cancers are synonymous to follicular lymphoma. However, the first two terms are currently obsolete. In the western hemisphere, mainly in Europe and US, follicular lymphoma is a widely encountered, non-Hodgkin lymphoma cancer. In terms of share of incidence, more than 11% of non-Hodgkin lymphomas belong to the follicular type.
Follicular lymphoma spreads in a very gradual manner. It can take several years for this condition to develop. With each passing year, more than 2.2% of follicular lymphoma enters into a rapid-growth phase. This is labelled as 3B stage. At this stage, this cancerous condition turns irreversible, and hence untreated.
The signs of follicular genre of lymphoma are swelling of nodes of lymph in your femoral-canal, armpits, groin as well as neck. These swellings are largely considered as asymptomatic enlargements or inflammation. It is common for these swellings to remain thus for many years. These also may have waned and waxed in terms of size.
In a few cases – also as a rare occurrence – masses in skin may develop. These masses may show up in your salivary glands, testicles, breasts, lungs, liver as well as spleen.
At a fairly advanced stage of follicular lymphoma, a few unmistakable symptoms are observed. These are repeated episodes of sweating during night hours, persistent spells of increase in body temperature which are often inexplicable, losing more than 9% of your body weight in a matter of 20 – 22 weeks’ time. However, this cancerous condition is largely indolent and may remain dormant for as high as 18 years. In fact – many people may die due to other reasons than from follicular lymphoma
Lymphoma treatment
Cancerous conditions such as lymphoma can be treated through different modalities of treatment. Much acclaimed formats of treatment are – drugs-based treatments, known as chemotherapy, ionised, powerful & focused rays-based treatment called radiation therapy, transplant of stem cells, etc. In a few instances, targeted therapies are also administered.
Of the above few modalities, chemotherapy engages a drugs-based treatment protocol. Here, your oncologist (known as a medical oncologist) provides medications at predetermined dosage levels and through scheduled sittings for treating cancers like lymphoma. The same approach is also used for the treatment of other forms of blood cancers like leukemia.
This drug-intensive modality can treat cancers in any part of your system; this is because of the ability of drugs to be easily absorbed to your bloodstream. Once chemo drugs gain access to blood, the medications reach every possible site of your system. Due to this holistic approach, chemotherapy is called as a systemic modality of treating lymphoma.
Drugs used for treating lymphoma focus on curing the condition; if offering a remedy is not a doable thing, meds are administered to extend your life expectancy. Your treating team of doctors will administer meds that are approved by the drug approving authority in the US – the food and drug administration. FDA has specifically cleared meds – for chemotherapy purpose – which are easily absorbed into your system. Not only are these meds absorbed onto your blood with ease, they also easily find their way into your tissues as well as cells.
The other approaches to treat lymphoma include stem cell transplantation as well as radiation therapy. The choice of treatment or their combination are determined by the severity of your cancerous condition, stage at which your condition is detected, onset of other diseases – especially autoimmune conditions – if any, intake of other meds forming part of any other treatment plans, etc.
Radiation treatments are focused at a particular organ or tissue; in some cases, a surgery may be needed. The combination and the order of offering these modalities to treat lymphoma is best decided by your team of oncologists
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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.