Lymphoma is another type of cancer that happens to your white blood cells, or lymphocytes, part of your immune system. The formation of cancer cells in the lymphatic structure, which supports the system’s defense mechanism against a pathogen, leads to lymphoma. However, researchers are not yet able to identify the exact cause, but age, sex that was assigned at birth, family history of the illness, and a history of certain infections in a given individual are possible risk factors.

Hodgkin lymphoma and non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL), a type of lymphoma, are the two major types of lymphoma. Moreover, NHL is more common than Hodgkin lymphoma. Since you usually do not have symptoms during the initial stages of lymphoma, it can sometimes be challenging to diagnose. Swollen lymph nodes are the most common symptom, although other signs and symptoms may include fever, fatigue, night sweats, and unintentional weight loss.

Fortunately, there are a variety of treatments for lymphoma, so if you begin to feel ill, notice symptoms of the illness, or have a history of the condition, it is imperative to see your doctor. To achieve an accurate diagnosis, your general care physician often will work with a hematologist-oncologist (or a physician who specializes in blood cancers).

Types of Lymphoma

There are many types of lymphoma and their manifestations and treatment differ from one to another. The most common places for the multiplication of cancer cells include the throat, digestive tract, spleen, bone marrow, and lymph nodes. Lymphoma, however, may begin in any part of the body.

Hodgkin’s disease

Hodgkin lymphoma is one of the most curable cancers. It tends to spread from one group of lymph nodes to another group of adjacent lymph nodes.

Hodgkin lymphoma can take many forms. Classic is the classification of Hodgkin lymphoma in approximately 90% of cases.

• Classic Hodgkin lymphoma has four subtypes, including

• Sclerosis of the nodules the most common form of Hodgkin lymphoma

• Cellularity that is mixed the second most common form is Hodgkin lymphoma.

• Rich in lymphocytes Hodgkin lymphoma: A rare type that affects the upper body

• Depleted lymphocytes Hodgkin lymphoma: A rare and aggressive form

Non-Hodgkin’s disease

Non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) is the term given to a group of separate lymphoma types that are not classified as Hodgkin lymphoma. NHL-type cancers tend to spread in a random fashion throughout the lymphatic system. Some cancers may not present with any symptoms until the cancer cells have started spreading to other areas of the body.

The majority of NHL patients have B-cell lymphoma. There are other varieties, too, such as T-cell and NK-cell types. The immune cells used to classify each type of NHL are different.

B lymphocytes: The cells produce antibodies, or anti-infective proteins, and thus protect your body against infection.

T lymphocytes are cells that help your body defend itself against pathogens and other harmful cells.

Symptoms

Early-stage lymphoma might have no symptoms. The most common sign of symptoms is swelling of a lymph node. Just under the skin, a swollen lymph node is tender but painless. You tend to find it on the body part where you experienced the first manifestation of your lymphoma. Other body parts can also host enlarged lymph nodes as your lymphoma advances. However, though enlarged lymph nodes may mostly be asymptomatic, alcohol use may cause them to begin to hurt.

Swollen lymph nodes are the most common symptom of lymphoma, but can also be a symptom of other, less serious conditions. This means that it is often hard to tell if your symptoms are indeed from lymphoma or if they are symptoms of some other infection. The best course of action is to see your healthcare professional to determine what may be causing your swollen lymph nodes.

A set of symptoms referred to as “B symptoms” that are also caused by lymphoma include:

• Night sweats: You feel damp and you are wetting your clothes or bedding at night

• Weight loss: you lose your body weight by 10% within six months without doing anything

Fatigue: feeling tired and listless even when you sleep.

Because they help your healthcare professional establish your present cancer stage, B symptoms are important to monitor. Recurring infections and easy bleeding or bruising are other possible signs of lymphoma. The area of the body where the cancer begins or spreads may also influence the symptoms of lymphoma. Symptoms of lymphoma can occur in the skin, brain, chest, or abdomen.

Reasons

When cancer cells multiply and begin to spread in a lymphatic system region, which often is the lymph nodes, then lymphoma occurs. However, since your spleen and bone marrow are all parts of the lymphatic system, cancer cells can also grow there. Researchers do not know where exactly the beginning formation of the cancer cells starts; however, they believe that certain circumstances may increase your chance of getting the disease.

An association between Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and Hodgkin lymphoma may exist. If you have EBV, your B lymphocytes (white blood cells) may be more vulnerable to genetic mutations or DNA alterations. Reed-Sternberg cells, which begin to proliferate if you have Hodgkin lymphoma, can be caused by these alterations. Experts have not yet

Risk Elements

Risk factors are those aspects that have a potential to cause the onset of a certain disease, such as lymphoma. Having one or more risk factors does not necessarily mean you will develop lymphoma; however, it might be higher compared to other individuals without such risk factors.

• Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is the virus that causes mononucleosis, commonly referred to as mono.

• Age: Hodgkin lymphoma is more common in young people between the ages of 15 and 39 years and older adults beyond the age of 75 years.

• Sex: The disorder is slightly more common in men than in women.

• Family history: If a first-degree family member, such as a parent or sibling, has Hodgkin lymphoma, your risk of developing the disease is higher.
• Weakened immune system: Using immune-suppressive drugs or having diseases like HIV can also increase your risk.

There are many risk factors for non-Hodgkin lymphoma. These include:

• More than 60 years of age

• Male sexuality

• Being white race

• Having NHL in the family

• Exposure to chemicals or drugs

• Exposure to radiation

• Weak immune system

• being told that you have an autoimmune disease (such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, etc.)

• Being overweight

• The background of breast implants

Making a diagnosis

Your healthcare professional will suggest a number of diagnostic tests in order to diagnose lymphoma. In patients with cancer, an enlarged lymph node is frequently the first sign and perhaps the only one. Swollen lymph nodes can be caused by a number of infections and other illnesses, so it’s critical that your healthcare professional first rules out less serious reasons.

In order to comprehend your symptoms and any other risk factors, your healthcare professional will begin with a physical examination and a comprehensive medical history. Your physician will extensively inspect your liver, spleen, and lymph nodes during the physical examination to check for any indications of swelling. 

Before any further tests are conducted, your doctor may prescribe an antibiotic course because swollen lymph nodes are often caused by infection. If antibiotics fail to alleviate the swelling in your lymph nodes, a biopsy – or a surgical procedure to obtain a tissue or skin sample – is usually the next course of action.

To learn more about your disease, your doctor may perform one of the following types of biopsies:

• Excisional biopsy: Removal of an entire lymph node

• An incisional biopsy takes out a small portion of the lymph node.

• A fine needle aspiration biopsy involves using a thin, hollow needle to remove a small amount of fluid from your body.

• Core needle biopsy: Taking a larger sample of tissue out of a larger needle

• A test called bone marrow aspiration is conducted to determine if lymphoma has spread to your bone marrow; this typically occurs once you have been diagnosed with the disease.

The following other tests may be conducted to identify lymphoma:

• Blood tests encompass the function of the liver and kidneys, ESR test, which is used to analyze inflammation in the body, and CBC test for evaluating the count of white blood cells.

• Immunohistochemistry can also find Reed-Sternberg cells for Hodgkin lymphoma by seeking the presence of specific proteins in cells.

• Chest x-ray: Examines the chest’s enlarged lymph nodes

• Computed tomography (CT) scan: Scans your neck, chest, abdomen, or pelvis to find signs of lymphoma.

• Only occasionally is there a need to perform a Magnetic Resonance Imaging test to find out if the cancerous cells have gone to your brain or to your spine.

• A Positron Emission Tomography (PET) scan detects cancer using imaging.

• Depending on where you have pain, in your bones, then a Bone Scan may be used to search for cancer in your bones.

Therapy

In many cases, remission of lymphoma or a state when symptoms partly or entirely disappear is possible and even curable. Remission stands as the ultimate goal if lymphoma is detected on early stages. Reducing the extent of symptoms and improving life quality are the primary targets in the treatment of the more advanced stages of lymphoma.

The type of lymphoma you have, the symptoms you’re experiencing, and the stage of the illness will all affect the treatment options accessible to you. Among the most popular therapies are:

• Chemotherapy: Intravenous (IV) infusion of anti-cancer drug
• Radiation therapy: Shrinks any tumors or large lymph nodes.

• Immunotherapy, which can be given in topical creams, oral tablets, or IV infusions, enhances your immune system’s power to fight cancer cells.

• A stem cell transplant helps your body produce new bone marrow and is usually done only when radiation and chemotherapy have failed to improve your health.

Avoidance

It is very challenging to prevent lymphoma. There are some risk factors that cannot be controlled. You cannot have control over many of these risk factors that cause the disease, such as age or family history. Besides, many patients diagnosed with lymphoma do not have any distinct risk factors that made them likely to acquire the disease.

The precise cause of lymphoma remains unclear, but some infections that can increase your chances of developing the disease include: Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) and human T-cell lymphotropic virus (HTLV-1). Discuss prevention measures with your healthcare professional if you are predisposed to these infections.

Having Lymphoma

Being diagnosed with lymphoma is a heart-wrenching and life-changing experience. It is normal for every aspect of your life to be affected throughout the diagnosis and treatment process.

Overwhelming, angry, fearful, hopeless, and lonely feelings are common. If you are concerned about how you are feeling, talk to your doctor and consider seeking help from a mental health professional. Remember: you don’t have to be cheerful and optimistic all the time during your treatment. Cancer is hard to live with, and you are allowed to feel whatever you want.

In addition to learning stress-reduction strategies and talking with a mental health professional, staying as active as possible would be helpful. Try to plan fun low-key events and enjoy fun activities.

Your friends and family members will likely be affected by the diagnosis of a lymphoma. Ask your family members, friends, or partners to support you in daily activities, doctor’s visits, food preparation, and stress of financial burden. Remember, although you may fight this cancer alone, you need not walk through the cancer treatment process and its aftermath alone.