What is Lymphoma Cancer?
Lymphoma cancer, which affects both men and women equally, is more common in older ages. In recent years, the incidence has increased and the success rates of treatments have also increased. Lymphoma, a type of cancer that responds positively to both drug treatment and marrow cancer, has more than 90 subtypes. It is the most common type of cancer in childhood.
It is defined as the proliferation of blood cells called lymphocytes, which have a 5% incidence among all cancer types, as excessive proliferation in the lymphoma glands.
Hodgkin's lymphoma is an excessive proliferation of lymphoid tissue cells. This type of cancer, which is caused by excessive proliferation of uniform cells, has a very high treatment success rate. It is basically divided into two main groups: classical Hodgkin lymphoma and nodular lymphocyte predominant Hodgkin lymphoma.
Classical Hodgkin's lymphoma is 95% common in this type of cancer. This type of cancer tends to start in the lymph nodes in the neck of patients. The incidence of this type of lymphoma, whose exact cause is unclear, increases in autoimmune diseases, Epstein Barr virus and immunocompromised people. The most common demographic group is young adults with a rate of 90%.
Non hodgkin lymphoma is caused by excessive proliferation of B and T lymphoma cells and the stem cells that give rise to these cells. The most common age range is between 65 and 74 years.
Lymphoma, also known as blood cancer, refers to all types of cancer originating in the bone marrow or blood. Lymphoma accounts for 50% of all types of blood cancer. Lymphoma is divided into two as Non hodgkin lymphoma and hodgkin lymphoma.
There are also subtypes of the two main subtypes of lymphoma. There are 50 subtypes of non hodgkin lymphoma and 8 subtypes of hodgking lymphoma. Each subtype has its own separate treatment procedures. For this reason, it is not enough for patients to be diagnosed with lymphoma. In order to ensure the right treatment, the subtype must also be clearly identified.
What are the Symptoms of Lymph Cancer?
The first symptoms of lymph cancer are not always obvious. On the other hand, in the advanced stages of the disease, there are also symptoms that mimic other diseases. Its symptoms can easily be mistaken for swollen tonsils or soft subcutaneous nodules. Additional symptoms should be paid attention to, especially in cases of enlarged nodules in the groin, stomach, armpits, upper chest and neck.
- Pain after alcohol intake
- Enlargement of the spleen
- Bone pain
- Itching
- Abdominal cramps
- Involuntary weight loss
- Fatigue
- Night sweats
- High fever
- Swelling of the tonsils
- Cough and shortness of breath
- Persistent flu symptoms
- Difficult healing of sinusitis and lung infections
- Constipation
- Digestive system problems
- Fire,
- Cough
- Asthma attacks
What are Lymphoma Cancer Tests? (Diagnosis)
Lymph cancer types are usually discovered when patients consult a doctor with complaints of enlarged lymph nodes. However, lymphoma, which can mimic the symptoms of many diseases, is very difficult to detect in the first stage.
To diagnose lymphoma, doctors order a series of blood tests. However, biopsy results from lymphoma nodes are the most important factor in the diagnosis of lymphoma. If lymphoma cells are found in tissue samples taken from the lymphoma nodes, then lymphoma is diagnosed.
It is also necessary to know the stage of the disease. Bone marrow biopsy and radiological examinations are used for this. During this investigation, it is very important to find out whether other organs are involved.
Patients who have been diagnosed with lymphoma as a result of a biopsy should undergo a PET/CT scan to understand in which part of the body the cancer is active. To perform a PET scan, a substance containing glucose is injected. Because cancer cells consume sugar and produce a lot of energy, they glow on a PET scan and give away their location.
Determining the stage of lymph cancer patients is essential for the planning of treatment. The Ann Arbor staging system is used to determine the stages. During the examination, both the symptoms experienced by the patient and the results of biochemical analysis are taken into account.
Types of Lymphoma Cancer Treatment
Genetic Tests
In order to determine the exact treatment of lymphoma, the subtype of lymphoma must be identified. For this, genetic tests are used. After that, PET scans are also used to determine the stage of the cancer and where it is located. Thus, the treatment is well-defined.
Chemotherapy Treatment
Chemotherapy has an important place in lymphoma treatments. Depending on the stage and course of the disease, outpatient chemotherapy can be used, as well as forms of chemotherapy that require intensive and inpatient treatment. Radiotherapy can also be used to support chemotherapy.
Immunotherapy
Immunotherapy is another type of treatment that is preferred as much as chemotherapy. The drugs used in this treatment stick to the lymphoma cells and destroy them. For this, they mobilize the immune system.
Lymphoma Medicines
Many drugs have been developed in the last 10 years to treat lymphoma. These drugs also function in a targeted way. Thanks to these drugs, cancer cells are eliminated, while healthy cells are virtually unharmed.
Bone Marrow Transplant
The most effective treatment for lymphoma is bone marrow or stem cell transplantation. However, chemotherapy or immunotherapy options should be considered first.
What Causes Lymph Cancer?
There are infectious, environmental and genetic factors that cause lymph cancer.
Occupational Exposure
It is especially caused by the exposure of people working in agriculture to harmful chemicals.
Infectious Causes
Various microorganisms increase the risk of lymphoma. In particular, there are microorganisms associated with the development of lymphoma. These are:
- The bacterium called Helicobacter pylori causes MALT (mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue) lymphoma,
- Bacteria called Borrelia burgdorferi, chlamydia psittaci, campylobacter jejuni,
- T cell lymphotropic virus causes adult T cell lymphoma, hepatitis C virus causes lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma or
- Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma,
- HHV8 virus can cause primary effusion lymphoma and Castleman's disease.
Immunodeficiency
A suppressed immune system for various reasons is also among the reasons that increase the risk of lymphoma.
Lymph Cancer Stages
Phase 1
Lymphoma 1. At this stage, it is seen only in a single lymph node area. Involvement of a single lymphoid structure, especially in the thymus, spleen or nasal region, or a single site outside the lymph.
Lymph Cancer 1. Stage Symptoms
Stage 1, the first stage of lymphoma. stage symptoms do not give specific symptoms. For this reason, it can often be confused with less serious diseases. It can therefore be difficult to diagnose at this stage. The most common symptoms at this stage include the following:
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Fire
- Night sweats
- Itching
- Loss of appetite
- Weight loss
- Chronic fatigue
In addition, the most specific symptom of the first stage is pain in the lymph nodes after drinking alcohol. Other times swollen lymph nodes do not cause pain in patients.
Phase 2
In stage 2, there is involvement of more than one lymph node in the same area of the diaphragm. There may also be involvement of organs in one area of the diaphragm.
Lymph Cancer 2. Stage Symptoms
Since more than one lymph node and organs are involved in the second stage of lymph cancer, symptoms caused by organ involvement can be seen in addition to the symptoms seen in the first stage. For example, if the skin is affected, skin spots or thickening of the palms may appear. If it occurs in the bones, bone pain or immobility of the limb may occur. If the central nervous system is affected, sensory loss or headaches may occur. As can be seen from the examples, the symptoms will differ according to the organ involved.
Phase 3
Lymphoma 3. In this stage, nodules on both sides of the diaphragm are also involved. Involvement of organs other than lymph or involvement of the spleen may also be seen.
Lymphoma 3. Stage Symptoms
Lymphoma 3. If it is at a later stage, symptoms vary depending on the location of the tumor. In addition, if you have a tumor in your spleen, symptoms can also be seen in neighboring organs. Symptoms can therefore affect the stomach or cause shortness of breath. Symptoms in the third stage of lymphoma also include the following:
- Itching of the skin
- Frequently recurring serious infections
- Swelling of the stomach
- Loss of appetite
- Feeling full after eating little
- Burnout
- Chest pain
- Fatigue
- Back pain
- Swollen lymph nodes in various parts of the body
- Easy bruising
Patients may also experience symptoms of stage B. These symptoms include the following:
- Increased night sweats
- High fever
- Losing more than 10% of body weight within six months
Phase 4
In stage 4, multiple tissues and organs are involved. In addition, involvement of multiple lymph node organs is also seen.
Lymphoma 4. Stage Symptoms
Stage 4, the last stage of lymphoma. The symptoms present in the stage are more severe. The most common symptom at this stage is swollen but not painful lymph nodes. However, drinking alcohol can cause painful lymph nodes. In addition, the symptoms will also differ depending on the area where the tumor has spread. For example, if cancer cells have metastasized to the brain, headaches and seizures may occur. If it has spread to the chest area, then shortness of breath may be felt, and if the stomach is affected, nausea and pain may be felt. 4. The symptoms also seen in the stage are as follows:
- Pain caused by a tumor pressing on a nerve
- Decreased appetite
- Itching
- Easy bruising
- Easy bleeding
- Tremor
- Fatigue
- Fatigue
In addition to these symptoms, there are also differences in symptoms according to classes.
