Sign up for our newsletter

Lymphoma

Lymphoma is a general term used to describe a group of tumors and cancers that begin from Lymphatic cells. It is often portrayed as just a single cancer type rather than being a few different types of cancers.

The most common symptoms are: Enlarged Lymph Nodes and Night sweats

Lymphoma in some cases,  the cancer may spread to other parts of the body including: Lungs, Liver, and/or Brain.

Two Main Categories of Lymphoma

1.)  Hodgkin Lymphoma

2.)  Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma

Dozens of Subtypes

–  Two additional categories by WHO (World Health Organization): Multiple Myeloma and Immunoproliferative Diseases.

–  90% of Lymphomas are non-Hodgkin

Symptoms

–  Enlarged lymph nodes (Usually painless)
–  Weight loss
–  Fever
–  Chills
–  Nausea
–  Itching of skin
–  Sweating (often at night)
–  Fatigue

Risk Factors

1.)  Hodgkin Lymphoma

–  Epstein-Barr Virus
–  Genetics

2.)  Non-Hodgkin Lymphomas

–  Autoimmune diseases
–  HIV
–  Human T-Lymphotropic Virus
–  Some medications (Immunosuppressant)
–  Pesticides
–  Red Meat – may be a risk
–  Other

Diagnosis

–  Physical exam with enlarged lymph nodes
–  Lymph node Biopsy
–  Bone marrow testing
–  Blood work and Urine testing
–  CT/MRI as needed

Staging

1.)  After diagnosis and before treatment is begun, the cancer must be staged.
2.)  This is done between Stage I (confined) and Stage IV (spread).
3.)  This is done as it affects prognosis and treatment.

Treatment

1.)  Chemotherapy

2.)  Radiation

3.)  Targeted Therapy

4.)  Surgery

5.)  Plasmapheresis – blood treatment to remove protein.

6.)  Watchful waiting – only for some types – not all.

Demographics

With Hodgkin, the 5-year survival is 85%. When compared to Non-Hodgkin, the 5-year survival is 69%

There are 550,000+ new diagnosis of Lymphoma worldwide was seen in 2012. And there were 300,000+ deaths worldwide were seen in 2012.

Lymphoma makes up less than 5% of all cancers. It is the 7^th most common form of cancer and the 3^rd most common form of cancer in children.

It occurs more often in developed countries.