Information on Lymphoma

Lymphoma is a group of cancers that affect the cells that play a role in the immune system, and primarily represents cells involved in the lymphatic system of the body. Lymphoma commonly begins in lymph nodes or collections of lymphatic tissue in organs like the stomach or intestines. It may engage the marrow and the blood in some cases. Lymphoma may spread from one site to other parts of the body. Lymphocytic leukemias originate and are most prominent in the marrow and spill over into the blood. They occasionally spread to involve the lymph nodes.

There are two main types of lymphoma. Hodgkin's lymphoma and andnon-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Hodgkin's lymphoma is a relatively aggressive cancer and can quickly spread through the body. Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma is a general term to refer to any type of lymphoma that does not have the distinctive Reed-Sternberg cell. Non-Hodgkin's lymphomas begin when a type of white blood cell, called a T cell or B cell, becomes abnormal. The cell divides again and again, making more and more abnormal cells. These abnormal cells can spread to almost any other part of the body.

The most familiar symptom of lymphoma is a painless swelling in a lymph node, frequently in the neck, armpit or groin. The swelling is caused by a surplus of affected lymphocytes collecting in one of your lymph nodes. Excessive sweating at night unique situation may be quite bothersom. Other symptoms lymphoma include unexplained tiredness or fatigue, night sweats, unexplained weight loss, fever,trouble getting rid of infections, abdominal pain, diarrhoea, a persistent cough or feeling of breathlessness, and skin rash or itchy skin. Lymphoma treatment varies depending on the exact type, stage, presentation, and patient tolerance.

Chemotherapy use of cancer killing drugs to disrupt cell division and stop tumor growth. Chemotherapy is usually given over a period of a few months on an out-patient basis, meaning you should not have to stay in hospital over night. Chemotherapy kills the cancerous cells but it can also damage healthy cells, which can lead to a number of common side effects. Radiotherapy use of high power x-rays or particles to kill cancerous cells. Rituximab can be used to treat low-stage non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, or combined with chemotherapy to treat high-stage non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.