Lymphomas are cancer-related to the lymphatic system, which comprises a series of organs, vessels, and nodes that carry a transparent liquid called lymph and are part of the immune system, responsible for fighting diseases and infections. When lymphocytes, which are a type of white blood cell, reproduce abnormally, reducing the functioning of the immune system, it is what we know as lymphomas and can produce changes in blood cells and affect the bone marrow. At FastlyHealwe, explain everything related to lymphoma, its symptoms, treatment, and prognosis.
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Lymphoma Symptoms
The symptoms of lymphomas will depend on the affected area and how quickly it reproduces. They usually appear as swollen glands in the neck, armpits, or groin; they are not typically painful, so the diagnosis is more complicated. There may also be a fever more significant than 38 degrees, unexplained weight loss, shortness of breath, fatigue, and heavy night sweats.
The causes of this disease are not determined. Still, risk factors can cause lymphomas to develop, such as immunocompromised people who have undergone an organ transplant, infected with HIV, and in other cases with infections with the virus. Epstein-Barr, which causes mononucleosis or ” kissing disease .”
Similarly, there are two types of lymphomas :
- Hodgkin lymphoma: It is common in people ages 15 to 35 and ages 50 to 70. This lymphoma is diagnosed through bone marrow or lymph node biopsy.
- Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma: It affects mainly adult men and boys and is classified by how quickly it spreads. Other ways to diagnose it are through a complete blood count or CT scans.
Treatment for lymphoma
The first thing to do to treat lymphomas will be to determine the type of lymphoma you have, what stage the disease is in, and if the tumor is more significant than 10 centimeters, in the case of Hodgkin’s lymphomas, age and other aspects of your general health.
For the treatment of Hodgkin’s lymphoma, chemotherapy and radiotherapy sessions can be performed; in cases where you do not respond to the treatment, a stem cell transplant will be an option. On the other hand, in non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, chemotherapy and radiotherapy or radioimmunotherapy will be used, where a radioactive substance is mixed together with an antibody that attacks cancer cells. Blood and platelet transfusions can also be done when low; treatment will be determined by symptoms.
Lymphoma prognosis
Non-Hodgkin lymphomas do not respond only to chemotherapy treatment; if it has been diagnosed in time, it can take many years before the disease worsens, and generally, chemotherapy can cure lymphomas with a high degree of malignancy in case the body does not respond to treatment, this disease can cause death.
For Hodgkin lymphomas, the prognosis is better since it has a better chance of curing, even when diagnosed at a fairly advanced stage. Medical follow-up and periodic evaluations are vital to rule out recurrences of this cancer.
Possible complications
Lymphomas can bring health complications, either from treatment or from the disease itself. Side effects from chemotherapy can occur in non-Hodgkin lymphoma, as well as hemolytic anemia and infections. For its part, Hodgkin’s lymphoma includes conditions in the bone marrow such as leukemia, thyroid problems, infertility, and lung problems.
This article is merely informative, at FastlyHeal .com we do not have the power to prescribe medical treatments or make any type of diagnosis. We invite you to see a doctor in the case of presenting any type of condition or discomfort.
If you want to read more articles similar to Lymphoma: Symptom, Treatment and Prognosis , we recommend that you enter our Immune System category .
I am a Surgeon with a diploma in comprehensive ultrasound and surgical care residency, an area I am specializing in. During the exercise of my profession, I have realized the need for patients to know the diseases they suffer, and I can tell you that a large part of their complications is due to a lack of information. Being a health web writer allows me to transmit my experience, without borders, to all those readers eager for knowledge, educate them in the prevention of diseases and promote a healthy lifestyle.