Lymphoma (lymph cancer): symptoms, causes & treatment

Definition

What is lymphoma or lymphoma (lymph cancer)?

Lymphoma (lymphoma), or lymphoma, is a type of blood cancer that develops in white blood cells called lymphocytes. Lymphocytes are part of the immune system and play a big role in protecting your body from infection or disease.

Lymphocyte cells are scattered in a lymphatic system located in all parts of the body. This lymphatic system includes the lymph nodes, spleen, bone marrow, and thymus gland.

Lymphoma occurs due to the presence of lymphocyte cells that develop abnormally and uncontrollably. These abnormal lymphocyte cells accumulate in any lymph node. However, this buildup usually occurs in the lymph nodes of the armpit, neck, or groin.

These abnormal cells can develop and spread throughout the lymphatic system, even to other organs of the body. In this condition, the cancer you are experiencing is also known as malignant lymphoma. The lymphoma or malignant lymphoma is a condition of malignant cancer cells.

Then, can lymphoma or lymph node cancer be cured? The answer depends on the severity and type of cancer you have. Some types of lymphoma can be treated and achieve complete remission, which is a condition when symptoms no longer appear and cancer cells are no longer found in your body.

Even in this condition, the chances of the cancer cells coming back are very small. In other words, some people with lymphoma can still recover. Consult with your doctor about these possibilities.

How common is lymphoma?

Lymphoma or lymphoma is a type of cancer that is classified as rare. However, this disease is the most common type of blood cancer, compared to leukemia and multiple myeloma. Reporting from the American Society of Hematology, about half of blood cancer cases that occur each year are lymphoma.

Lymph cancer can happen to anyone. However, the incidence rate is mostly found in elderly patients, especially over 55 years. This disease is also more common in male patients than female.

To find out more information about this disease, you can consult directly with a doctor.

Type

What are the types of lymphoma?

Lymph cancer or lymphoma has various types. These types belong to two major groups, namely Hodgkin's lymphoma (Hodgkin disease) and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

People who suffer from the Hodgkin type have dangerous cancer cells that develop in their bodies, namely Reed-Sternberg (RS) cells. Meanwhile, non-Hodgkin sufferers do not have these cells.

The following is a brief explanation of each type:

1. Hodgkin's lymphoma

Hodgkin's cancer generally occurs in B lymphocytes. Some of the subtypes of this type of cancer are:

• Lymphocyte-depleted Hodgkin's lymphoma.
• Lymphocyte-rich Hodgkin's lymphoma.
• Mixed cellularity Hodgkin lymphoma.
• Nodular sclerosis Hodgkin lymphoma.
• Nodular lymphocyte-predominant Hodgkin lymphoma.

2. Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma

This type of cancer is more common than the Hodgkin type. The non-Hodgkin type can occur in B lymphocytes or T lymphocytes, and can develop and spread slowly or quickly.

Several subtypes on this non-Hodgkin type, namely diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL),Burkitt's lymphoma, or follicular lymphoma.

Signs & symptoms

What are the signs and symptoms of lymphoma?

Each type of lymph cancer, whether Hodgkin's or non-Hodgkin's, causes different signs, symptoms, or features. However, in general, lymphoma signs and symptoms are:

• A lump or swollen lymph node in the neck, armpit, or groin, which is painless.
• Continuous fatigue.
• Fever.
• Night sweats.
• Cough or shortness of breath.
• Itchy skin.
• Weight loss without an obvious cause.
• Swelling or a feeling of fullness in the stomach (especially if the cancer cells affect the stomach).

Apart from the characteristics above, there are several other symptoms of lymphoma that are possible, although they are very rare. These symptoms include seizures, dizziness, weakness in the legs and arms, or pain in certain parts of the body.

There may be signs and symptoms not listed above. If you have concerns about a particular symptom, consult your doctor.

When to see a doctor?

The symptoms above are similar to the symptoms of other, less severe diseases. However, if you experience these symptoms continuously and without an obvious cause, you should immediately see a doctor.

Each sufferer's body shows signs and symptoms that vary. To get the most appropriate treatment and according to your health condition, make sure you always check with your doctor or the nearest health service center.

Cause

What causes lymphoma?

The cause of lymphoma cancer is a genetic mutation or damage to the white blood cells called lymphocytes. Under normal conditions, body cells, including lymphocytes, will develop and die at a certain rate. Every 1 minute, about 100 million cells in the human body will die and be replaced with new cells.

However, when a mutation occurs, the body's cells will develop and continue to live uncontrollably. These damaged cells will accumulate and cause cancer.

In lymphoma, lymphocyte cells that develop abnormally will accumulate in the lymph nodes, causing swelling. The buildup of these abnormal cells can spread to other parts of the body.

Until now, the exact cause of the mutation of cells in lymphoma is unknown. However, several factors are said to increase the risk of developing this disease.

Risk factors

What increases the risk of developing lymphoma?

Lymphoma or lymphoma is a type of cancer that can occur in almost anyone, regardless of age group or race. However, there are several factors that can increase a person's risk for developing this disease.

You need to know that having one or more risk factors does not mean that you will definitely develop a disease. Conversely, a person who is affected by certain diseases may have unknown risk factors.

However, in general, here are the risk factors that can trigger the appearance of lymph cancer:

1. Increasing age

This disease is more common in patients aged 55 years and over. If you fall into that age group, your chances of getting this condition are much greater.

2. Male gender

This type of cancer is also more common in male patients than female. If you are male, your risk for this type of cancer is higher.

3. History of autoimmune diseases or immune system problems

If your immune system is weak due to certain diseases, such as HIV / AIDS, rheumatoid arthritis, Sjögren's syndrome, lupus, or celiac disease, your chances of developing cancer in your white blood cells are greater.

4. Infected with certain viruses

If you have been infected with a virus, such as Epstein-Barr, hepatitis C, or the HHV8 herpes virus, you also have a high chance of developing this cancer.

5. Descendants of the family

If you have family members who have or are currently suffering from this type of cancer, your risk of developing this condition is much higher, especially the Hodgkin strain.

6. Bad lifestyle

Poor lifestyle, such as smoking, lack of exercise, obesity, and too often eating foods with high bad fats (including red meat), can increase the risk of cancer, including lymphoma.

7. Chemical exposure

Exposure to certain chemicals, such as pesticides, can increase the risk of developing this cancer. However, this risk factor has not been fully proven.

Diagnosis & treatment

The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor for more information.

How is lymph cancer diagnosed?

To diagnose this disease, the doctor will carry out a thorough examination. The doctor will ask about your symptoms, when you first felt changes, any infections or diseases you have had, or if anyone in your family has had cancer.

After that, the doctor will perform a series of tests to diagnose lymphoma as follows:

1. Physical examination

The doctor will check for swollen lymph nodes in your body, such as in the neck, armpits, and groin, including swelling in the spleen or liver.

2. Lymph node biopsy

In this test, the doctor takes all or part of the lymph node using a needle to be examined in the laboratory. Through this test, the doctor can find out whether there are cancer cells in the lymph nodes.

3. Blood test

The doctor will also take a sample of your blood for examination in the laboratory. To determine whether there are cancer cells, usually the medical team will do complete blood count (CBC) to count the number of blood cells.

4. Bone marrow tissue biopsy

In a bone marrow aspiration or biopsy, the doctor will take a sample of your bone marrow to be examined in the laboratory and analyzed for lymphoma cells in it.

5. Imaging tests

Your doctor may also recommend imaging tests, such as a CT scan, MRI scan, or PET scan, to look for signs of spreading cancer cells to other areas of your body.

Other tests may also be recommended by your doctor. Always consult with your doctor about the type of tests and examinations that are right for you.

How to treat lymphoma?

Lymphoma is a condition that can be treated and treated, depending on the stage of the lymph cancer and the type suffered by the patient. The goal of treatment is to destroy as many cancer cells as possible in the body, and prevent the cancer cells from coming back.

The following are lymphoma cancer treatment options that are generally recommended by doctors:

1. Active supervision

Some lymph cancer cells develop slowly and cause no symptoms. In this condition, doctors generally only recommend active surveillance. During surveillance, you may need to have regular screening tests.

2. Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy is a treatment that uses drugs, either directly into a vein or taken as a pill, to kill cancer cells.

3. Radiation therapy or radiotherapy

Radiotherapy is done to kill cancer cells using high-powered energy, such as X-rays and protons.

4. Bone marrow transplant

Bone marrow or stem cell transplants are generally combined with chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Then, the surgeon will take healthy bone marrow stem cells from another part of your body or from a donor to replace the cancerous bone marrow cells.

Some other treatments, such as targeted therapy or immunotherapy, may also be given by the doctor, depending on the condition of each lymphoma patient. Always consult with your doctor about the type of treatment that is right for you.

Home remedies

What are some lifestyle changes or home remedies that can help manage lymphoma?

Here are lifestyle and home remedies that can help you deal with lymphoma:

• Change your diet to be healthier and nutritionally balanced, such as those containing healthy fats and high fiber.
• Exercise routine recommended by the doctor.
• Quit smoking.
• Take control of stress.
• Get alternative therapies, such as relaxation, meditation, acupuncture, or massage to reduce symptoms and side effects of medication.

Prevention

How to prevent lymphoma cancer?

The cause of lymphoma is not known for sure. Therefore, there is no sure way to prevent this disease. However, several efforts can be made to reduce the risk of lymph cancer. The following are lymphoma cancer prevention that you can apply:

• Avoiding exposure to chemicals, such as pesticides.
• Avoiding behaviors that can increase your chances of contracting AIDS or hepatitis C.
• Maintain an ideal body weight by exercising regularly and eating a balanced nutritious diet.
• Quit smoking.

If you have any questions, please consult your doctor to better understand the best solution for you.