Lymphoma Cancer Treatment Doctor In Delhi
What is Lymphoma?
Lymphoma is a type of cancer that forms in the lymphatic system, which is part of the body’s germ-fighting network. It includes the lymph nodes, spleen, thymus gland bone marrow.
What are the types of Lymphoma?
There are mainly two types of lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma & Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
The term Non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) refers to a group of cancers of the lymphatic system.
Hodgkin’s lymphoma
Hodgkin’s lymphoma, also called Hodgkin’s disease, is a cancer of the lymphatic system.
Where Does Lymphoma Start?
Lymphomas cancer can start anywhere in the body, where lymph tissues are found. The most common sites of lymph tissue are:
Lymphatic tissues can be found in most parts of our body, that’s why Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma can start anywhere and can spread to almost any organ. It often begins in the lymph nodes, liver, spleen, or bone marrow. NHL can also be found in the stomach, intestines, skin, thyroid gland, brain, or any other part of the body.
While Hodgkin’s lymphoma most commonly starts in lymph nodes; in the neck or in the area between the lungs behind the breastbone. However, it can also start in groups of lymph nodes under an arm, in the groin, or in the abdomen or pelvis.
What are the risk factors for Lymphoma?
The exact reason or cause of Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma is unknown. Most of the people diagnosed with NHL don’t get to learn what caused it. However, the following factors can increase a person’s risk of having Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
Age
Most types of non-Hodgkin lymphoma commonly occur in older people in their 60s and 70s. This is because of the genetic changes in your cells that build up throughout your life which may lead to lymphoma. However, Hodgkin lymphoma is commonly found in people aged between 15 and 40.
Family history
The risk of having lymphoma is slightly higher if any one of your close or blood relatives previously had lymphoma or other types of blood cancer.
Infections
Some infections can increase your chances of developing lymphoma. In fact, Lymphomas is a cancer type that is mostly associated with oncogenic viruses, such as:
- Epstein–Barr virus (EBV)
- Human T-lymphotropic virus 1 (HTLV-1)
- Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)
- Human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8)
- Hepatitis C virus (HCV)
Lowered immune system
Having a lowered immune system means you are unable to fight any kind of infections, including the ones that can cause lymphoma. In this case, two conditions can lower your immune system and increase the risk of lymphoma.
- Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)
- Post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder (PTLD)
Chemotherapy
Sometimes chemotherapy drugs used in previous cancer treatment, like blood cancers, can put you at risk of developing lymphoma.
Radiation Exposure
Exposure to radiation during radiotherapy for treating other types of cancers can also increase the chances of you developing lymphoma.
Weight
A Body Mass Index (BMI) of over 30 means you are obese. This can multiply your risk of developing many types of cancer including lymphoma.
Can Lymphoma be found early?
Currently, there is no standardized screening test for Hodgkin’s and non-Hodgkin lymphoma for individuals who are not experiencing any kind of symptoms related to the disease. The best way to find lymphoma earlier can be by paying attention to its possible signs and symptoms.
Signs & Symptoms of Lymphoma
People with lymphoma may experience a variety of symptoms or signs, some of them are listed below:
- Enlarged lymph nodes in the abdomen, groin, neck, or underarms
- Shortness of breath
- Cough or chest discomfort
- Enlarged spleen or liver
- Fever that cannot be explained by an infection or other illness
- Weight loss with no known cause
- Severe chills night sweats, usually drenching
- Extreme fatigue (tiredness)
Treatments for Lymphoma
Lymphoma treatments depend on the type and stage of the disease and the patient’s overall health and preferences. The treatment is aimed at destroying cancer cells from the body and eliminating it completely.
The following treatments can be used for lymphoma:
- Chemotherapy
- Immunotherapy
- Radiation Therapy
- Bone Marrow Transplantation / Stem Cell Transplantation
- Chimeric antigen receptor T (CAR-T) Cells Therapy