Lymphoma – an insidious tumor

Proven content

Persistent itching of the skin, profuse night sweats and weakness may be the first symptoms of this dangerous disease. It is very important that disturbing symptoms persist for more than three weeks to consult a doctor.

Lymphoma is an insidious cancer because its symptoms are easy to ignore. Patients diagnosed with lymphoma say that they had previously been treated for several years by dermatologists who suspected psoriasis or allergies. Night sweats explained to themselves too high temperature in the room, and fatigue with overwork. Even long-term enlargement of the lymph node was treated by doctors as an infection. – It was only when I couldn’t breathe that I was taken to the hospital, where it was established that there was a 16 cm tumor in my chest. Many patients I met in the hematology department had similar experiences – says Katarzyna from the Friends of Przebiśnieg Lymphoma Society, who was treated by dermatologists for skin diseases for three years before the correct diagnosis was made.

Medonet is the patron of the Unmask Lymphoma campaign

The first symptoms of lymphoma

The symptoms associated with lymphomas often resemble the common cold and are neglected, so that the cancer is usually only detected in the advanced stage. Knowing about lymphomas, including knowing their symptoms, increases the chances of an early diagnosis of the disease and therefore a faster start of treatment. It is very important that all disturbing symptoms that persist for more than three weeks are consulted with a general practitioner. The most common symptoms of lymphomas are enlarged lymph nodes, weakness, significant weight loss, elevated temperature for no apparent reason, profuse night sweats, long-lasting cough or shortness of breath, and persistent itching of the skin. -Mostly, patients find relatively hard, painless knots that tend to form bundles. If the doctor excludes the connection of enlarged nodes with infections, or a lack of response to antibiotic therapy, an appointment with a haematologist will be necessary. In the vast majority of cases, the diagnosis of lymphoma is determined by the histopathological assessment of the collected lymph node – says Dr. Maciej Kaźmierczak from the Department and Clinic of Hematology and Proliferative Diseases of the Hematological System, Medical University of Karol Marcinkowski in Poznań.

Enlarged lymph nodes

Lymph nodes are a kind of filters for the body. Fighting harmful microbes, they are an important element of the immune system. Their enlargement indicates the ongoing inflammation in the body. Some of them are located under the skin surface and can be felt around the ears, on the sides of the neck, in the area above and below the collarbone, in the armpits, in the groin and in the knee area. The internal ones are located in the central part of the chest, around the trachea, bronchi and aorta, around the liver, spleen, and in the lower abdomen and pelvis near the ovaries and bladder. A significant enlargement of one or more lymph nodes may indicate the presence of lymphoma and is usually the first symptom of concern. Enlargement of the lymph nodes throughout the body is usually detected by accident during tests due to other conditions or when they are the cause of serious problems. Unfortunately, then the disease is usually very advanced.

Check what symptoms the strangest disease in the world can have

Diagnosis and treatment of lymphoma

Histopathological examination of the enlarged lymph node is required for a complete diagnosis and implementation of appropriate treatment. The material for the study is taken surgically. The peripheral blood or bone marrow immunophenotyping test also allows for the diagnosis and identification of the type of lymphoma. Before starting treatment, the clinical stage is determined by performing complete laboratory tests of blood, imaging of the chest and abdominal cavity (and other locations), and examination of the bone marrow to check the degree of its involvement by the neoplastic process.

Find out how sneaky lymphoma can be

Treatment of people with lymphomas should only take place in centers specialized in the treatment of neoplasms of the lymphatic system. Due to the wide variety of lymphomas, there are many treatment regimens. Its course and prognosis depends, among others, on on the type and severity of the disease. The goal of treating patients with lymphomas is to completely reverse the disease, extend the life span without relapse, and improve the quality of life. Treatment of lymphomas involves radiotherapy, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, surgery, bone marrow transplants, and targeted therapies.

Knowledge that saves lives

There are several thousand cases of lymphoma cases in Poland every year. The causes of this disease have not yet been known, although many factors have already been selected that increase the risk of their occurrence. People of all ages suffer from lymphomas. According to the epidemiological data of the National Cancer Registry, the risk of developing non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma increases with age and most often affects people over 55 years of age. Knowing the symptoms of lymphoma increases the chances of early diagnosis and effective treatment. Therefore, on September 15, on World Awareness Day about lymphoma, the Society of Friends of Lymphoma Patients ‘Przebiśnieg’ conducts street surveys combined with an information campaign on the disease. As part of the Unmask lymphoma campaign, members of the Association want to draw attention to the sometimes trivial symptoms of the disease, which are ignored by both the patient and the doctor. – If we manage to get at least one person to expose their lymphoma and visit a doctor in time, if thanks to this we contribute to saving someone’s life, it will be the greatest success of the campaign, satisfaction and joy, for which it is worth devoting effort and energy – says Maria from the Przebiśnieg Association.

Tekst: Halina of Pilon