Lymphoma – classification, symptoms, causes, treatment, prognosis [EXPLAINED]

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It is not worth underestimating the long-lasting enlarged lymph nodes. Why? This is how neoplasms of the lymphatic tissue manifest themselves. They can be treated effectively – but only if they are detected early enough.

Lymphoma – characteristics

Lymphoma is a cancer of the lymphatic system. The development of white blood cells is disturbed in ill people, and B lymphocytes are more often affected. The causes of lymphoma are not fully understood. Unfortunately, it is the sixth most common neoplasm.

The lymphatic system is made up of lymph nodes and vessels that distribute lymph fluid throughout the body, i.e. to the spleen, thymus and bone marrow. There are white blood cells in the fluid to fight the symptoms of infection. Lymph nodes act as filters in the human body that trap and destroy microbes and prevent infections.

Any disease that arises as a result of lymphocyte changes are called lymphomas. It is worth knowing that as many as 70 were classified types of lymphomas. The good news is that lymphomas are fully curable, however, it all depends on the type and stage of the disease at the time of diagnosis.

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Lymphoma – a division of lymphomas

Lymphomas are a diverse group of cancers that come from the lymphatic tissue. The following are distinguished among them:

1. Hodgkin’s disease (Hodgkin’s lymphoma) – they occur in young people, and the most cases are between 20 and 40 and over 50 ;;
2. non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (non-Hodgkin lymphoma) – they develop rather in the elderly. To this groups of lymphomas there are many different types of cancer that differ in what cells they come from and the course of the disease.

In addition, in terms of the speed of disease progression, the following should also be distinguished:

1. indolent lymphomas – these lymphomas are diagnosed mainly in the elderly. The course of the disease includes lymphadenopathy and the infiltration of neoplastic lesions onto the bone marrow. People with untreated indolent lymphoma may survive from several to even several years;
2. aggressive lymphomas – this group includes the majority of lymphomas attacking, among others, T lymphocytes. In this case, untreated patients survive for several months;
3. very aggressive lymphomasEg. Burkitt lymphoma.

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Lymphoma – causes

The exact causes of lymphomas are unknown, but doctors point to factors that increase the risk of cancer:

1. immunity drops – a consequence of a weak immune system, but also HIV infection, AIDS or taking medications that suppress the immune system after organ transplantation;
2. autoimmune diseases, e.g. rheumatoid arthritis, celiac disease;
3. viral infections: Helicobacter pylori, HCV virus, herper virus type 8, Epstein-Barr virus, human lymphocytic virus type 1;
4. prior chemotherapy, radiotherapy, transplants and transfusions;
5. exposure to harmful chemicals, e.g. pesticides, fertilizers, paint solvents, asbestos;
6. ionizing radiation;
7. genetic factors;
8. Age and Gender – The incidence of certain types of lymphoma differs between men and women. It has also been confirmed that people over 60 are more likely to suffer from these cancers;
9. obesity – There is an ongoing research into the link between a high risk of developing lymphoma and obesity.

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Lymphoma – the mechanism of its formation

The development of lymphoma includes, inter alia, to enlarge the lymph nodes – not only superficial ones that each of us can touch and feel, but also deeper ones. Cell proliferation can affect all lymph nodes, including those in the abdominal cavity or in the chest, which we are not able to examine with our hand.

Cancer cells can infiltrate many structures and organs, incl. bone marrow, brain tissue, digestive tract. Like a tumor, enlarging lymph nodes can press on the various structures they are near. For this reason, in the course of the disease, many organs may fail, e.g. the following may occur:

1. ascites,
2. anemia,
3. impaired immunity,
4. abdominal pain,
5. swelling of the legs.

Other symptoms that can accompany lymphoma include weight loss, night sweats, and fever.

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Lymphomas – symptoms of Hodgkin’s disease

Hodgkin can develop insidiously, with unusual symptoms, such as:

1. weight loss,
2. lack of appetite
3. weakening.

After taking a specimen from the lymph node and carrying out all examinations, it is possible to determine the stage of Hodgkin’s disease. The method of treatment depends on it – it can be chemotherapy, radiotherapy or both. After completing the therapy, patients require regular medical checks.

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Lymphoma – symptoms

Lymphoma causes different symptoms in a patient that are divided into groups:

1. generalized symptoms of lymphoma – e.g. fever, weight loss, night sweating, weakness;
2. lymph node symptoms – lymphoma causes an overgrowth of the lymph nodes. Knots in, for example, the neck and armpits become very tender and painful. They enlarge very slowly, gradually, sometimes they may decrease and start growing again;
3. symptoms of lymphoma suggesting the presence of a neoplastic lesion under the lymph node – these are abdominal pain, enlarged spleen or liver, bleeding and obstruction. Malabsorption syndrome is also possible, as well as infiltrates on organs and skin;
4. symptoms related to bone marrow metastases – these are changes in blood count, anemia or an increased number of lymphocytes in the blood.

Since most of the symptoms of lymphoma are nonspecific test results and any doubts about your health should always be consulted with your doctor.

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Lymphoma – diagnosis

Lymphoma is diagnosed after the suspected lymph node has been removed. The microscopic evaluation of the node tissues is the only method that allows for a certain diagnosis of the disease, the exclusion of other causes of lymphadenopathy and the determination of the type of neoplasm, which influences further management.

Detailed lymphoma diagnostics is carried out in specialized clinical centers that have appropriate conditions for research and treatment of this type of cancer.

Lymphoma – stages

Lymphoma diagnostics is also aimed at determining the advancement of any changes. The Ann Arbor Scale was developed to determine the severity of the lymphomawhich distinguishes four degrees of lymphoma:

1. XNUMXst degree lymphoma – involvement of one node, one group of adjacent nodes or finding the presence of one lesion without lymph node involvement;
2. II degree of lymphoma – involvement of more than two groups of lymph nodes on one side of the diaphragm or changes in the nodes and involvement of the nearest organ;
3. Stage III lymphoma – lymph node involvement on both sides of the diaphragm or lymph nodes above the diaphragm and involvement of the spleen;
4. Stage IV lymphoma – involvement of the extra-lymphatic organ and lymph node involvement.

This classification has been extended due to Hodgkin’s lymphoma. In this case, the determination of the degree of lymphoma also includes:

1. letter A – no general symptoms;
2. letter B – the patient develops general symptoms, i.e. fever without a cause, weight loss by at least 10%.

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Lymphoma – non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma

The course of non-Hodgkin’s lymphomas it can be very different. This group includes both cancers with a very slow development, which only slightly reduce the comfort and survival time of patients, and those that spread very quickly and even despite treatment, may lead to death in a short time. That is why diagnostics in specialized clinical centers is so important.

Lymphoma – treatment

Treatment depends on the type of lymphoma. The basis is chemotherapy with the use of several drugs. Most often it is rituximab, either as monotherapy or in combination therapy. Despite the significant improvement in the treatment results of lymphatic cancers and the use of various drug combinations and bone marrow transplantation, a fully satisfactory methods of treatment of non-Hodgkin’s lymphomas. The situation is different in the case of Hodgkin’s disease, where aggressive chemotherapy and radiotherapy significantly change the course of the disease and improve the prognosis.

So, is it possible to completely cure Hodgkin’s disease?

Yes. Currently, it is possible to cure up to 90% of sick people.

In the case of indolent lymphoma diagnosed at an early stage, treatment is limited to observing the changes until symptoms appear. Then treatment is introduced. Treatment is continued until the lymphoma remits, but it is sometimes continued to maintain the obtained effect.

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Lymphoma – prognosis

He decides about the negotiations a type of lymphoma. Indolent non-Hodgkin’s lymphomas are usually not completely curable. It is possible to put the disease into remission, but the disease may recur. Also note that z untreated lymphoma you can live even a dozen or so years.

In Hodgkin’s lymphoma, treatment is most effective, with 9 out of 10 fully healed.

Lymphoma and the flu and colds

The initial symptoms of lymphoma are very nonspecific and the developing cancer is often considered a protracted cold or flu. However, there are some features that should worry a sick person:

1. in the case of lymphoma, the high temperature is not always high. It can appear several times a day and disappear for no reason;
2. lymphoma develops a dry, choking cough. With flu, the cough only appears at the beginning of the disease, and over time turns into a wet cough;
3. in people with lymphoma, skin lesions and lumps appear on the skin that do not appear during flu or colds;
4. Lymphoma symptoms also include ascites, limb swelling, bruising, and bleeding.

It is also worth remembering that the lymph nodes are enlarged in the course of both influenza and lymphoma, but in the case of cancer, the nodes do not hurt, they are significantly enlarged up to 2 cm, and the appearance of the skin above the nodes does not change. If the condition persists for at least 2-3 weeks, see a doctor.

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