Lymphoma cancer
Lymphoma cancer is a disease of the lymphatic system, studies indicate that around 70% of those affected by this particular cancer are aged 50 or over; the condition appears to affect more men than women and is less prevalent amongst the African-American population than the Caucasian population.
What is the lymphatic system?
The lymphatic system is a system of thin tubes running throughout the whole body – much like the blood system. The lymphatic system has a number of roles –
- Continual filtering of fluid into the bloodstream
- Filtering of lymph fluid
- Filtering of the blood
- Fighting infection – this part of the lymphatic system should be considered to be a part of the immune system.
What is lymphoma cancer?
Lymphoma cancer, as the name suggests, is a cancer affecting the lymphatic system – there are two types of lymphoma cancer, Hodgkins Lymphoma and non-Hodgkins lymphoma, the difference between the two conditions is visible only under a microscope. Both lymphomas cause erratic and irregular cell production within the lymphatic system.
Hodgkins lymphoma
Hodgkins lymphoma is the least common of the lymphoma cancers – accounting for only around 20% of cases.
Hodgkins lymphoma is characterised by the presence of the Reed-Sternberg cell during examination of cells from the lymph nodes. These cells are believed to be a B-cell white blood cell that has become cancerous. The normal function of these B-cells is in the creation of infection fighting antibodies. The treatment for Hodgkins lymphoma is different to that for non-Hodgkins lymphoma cancer – this makes a correct diagnosis essential.
Non-Hodgkins lymphoma
Non-Hodgkins lymphoma is characterised by the absence of the abnormal Reed-Sternberg cells upon examination. Non-Hodgkins lymphoma is generally characterised by the speed at which the cancer grows –
- Follicular small cleaved cell lymphoma is an example of slow growing non-Hodgkins
- Adult diffuse mixed cell lymphoma is an example of the more aggressive type of the disease
Symptoms of lymphoma cancer
The two lymphomas cause very similar symptoms – in particular, the classic swelling of lymph nodes in the neck, armpit and/or groin area and may also be the result of other underlying medical conditions – anyone who is anxious about the presence of these symptoms should seek the advice of their medical practitioner. Other symptoms may include -
- Pain in the abdomen – this may be accompanied by swelling
- Chest pain
- Difficulty breathing
- Persistent cough
Stages of the disease
As with other cancers, lymphoma is often diagnosed by stage -
- Stage one – the cancer is found in only one lymph node area, typically on one side of the diaphragm
- Stage two – the cancer is found in two or more lymph nodes or in an organ relating to the lymph node
- Stage three – at this stage the cancer will be affecting both sides of the diaphragm
- Stage four – this stage signifies that the lymphoma has metastasized to other areas of the lymphatic system – often far away from the original cancer site – and to other organ/s
Treatment
Treatment for lymphoma largely depends on the type of lymphoma diagnosed and the stage the cancer has reached. Treatment programs include -
- Radiation therapy – the use of high energy X-rays to kill the cancer cells and reduce the size of any tumour.
- Chemotherapy – the use of drugs to destroy the cancer cells
- Bone marrow transplant – some patients may require a bone marrow transplant in order to replace the diseased marrow with healthy marrow.
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