Lymphoma is a cancer of the lymphatic system (tissues, blood vessels, and organs that help the body fight infections) and is rare. Lymphoma falls into the category of blood cancers because it originates in white blood cells (lymphocytes), which are a crucial part of the immune system.
Lymphoma can be aggressive (growing rapidly) or indolent (growing slowly). The majority of cases that undergo treatment can achieve remission or cure. Anyone can be affected by this cancer, including children, teenagers, and adults. Generally, lymphoma is divided into two main categories:
- Hodgkin lymphoma
- Non-Hodgkin lymphoma
Symptoms
Common symptoms of lymphoma include swelling of one or more lymph nodes in the armpits, neck, or groin, swelling in the abdomen, extreme fatigue even after getting enough sleep, fever with a temperature over 39.5 degrees Celsius, excessive night sweats leading to being drenched, shortness of breath, and unexplained weight loss.
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Causes
Lymphoma occurs when white blood cells undergo changes (mutations) and transform into cancerous cells that can grow rapidly and avoid cell death. The exact cause of these mutations is not precisely identified. However, there are several factors that increase the risk of this disease:
- Family history of lymphoma
- Previous infection with viruses, including human immunodeficiency virus, mononucleosis, and Kaposi sarcoma human immunodeficiency virus
- Weakening of the immune system due to specific medical treatments
- Autoimmune diseases
Diagnosis
Lymphoma is diagnosed through a physical examination to evaluate potential symptoms and a biopsy for laboratory testing. When the results show signs of lymphoma, further blood tests and imaging are required to assess the severity of the condition and serve as the basis for treatment planning.
- Blood tests may include a complete blood count (CBC) to determine the levels of various types of white blood cells, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) to detect inflammation, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) to detect the growth or death of cells in large numbers, serum protein electrophoresis (SPEP) to evaluate abnormal proteins, and liver and kidney function tests.
- PET Scan to determine if lymphoma has spread to the bone marrow,
- CT Scan to get a more detailed picture of swelling in lymph nodes
- MRI to examine the condition of the brain and spinal cord.
- Biopsy procedures may involve lymph node biopsies to confirm the presence of lymphoma and bone marrow biopsies to check if cancer has spread to that area.
Treatment
Treatment for lymphoma is based on the type, extent of spread (stage), and symptoms experienced. If someone has slow-growing lymphoma, healthcare providers may recommend active surveillance, as immediate treatment may not be necessary.
Common treatments for lymphoma include chemotherapy and radiation therapy. In contrast, individuals with slow-growing lymphoma need to undergo chemotherapy as soon as possible for successful treatment. On the other hand, if the cancerous cell location is large, whether it is still in the early stage or advanced stage, the necessary treatment is radiation therapy, targeting the affected area.
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Can It Be Cured?
What someone can expect after completing treatment is called prognosis, which depends on the situation. A specific prognosis will depend on the type of lymphoma, the patient's age, and overall health. However, many people experience remission after undergoing treatment.
Remission is declared when someone no longer experiences symptoms, and no signs of lymphoma are found based on test results. However, lymphoma in remission can relapse. Therefore, individuals need to undergo regular check-ups to monitor signs of lymphoma.
In conclusion, lymphoma is one type of blood cancer that starts from white blood cells (lymphocytes). This disease is rare and can occur in children, teenagers, and adults. The treatment required to achieve remission is chemotherapy and radiation therapy, but targeted therapy may also be an option when the cancerous cell location is large.
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