The lymphatic system plays a role in the absorption of fats and fat-soluble vitamins from the digestive tract, as a transport channel for these substances into the circulation of the veins (veins), sending the excess fluid between cells and proteins into the blood stream, and as the body's defenses against germs. Basically, lymphomas are divided into two categories, namely non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and Hodgkin's lymphoma. The difference will be known by the doctor through the examination of the cancer cells under a microscope.
Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma is divided into several types. The most common types are diffuse B-cell lymphoma and follicular lymphoma.
Causes of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma
Non-Hodgkin lymphoma begins in the lymphocytes that are in the lymph nodes and other lymph tissues such as bone marrow and spleen. There were changes in DNA (mutations) of the lymphocyte cells that proliferate abnormally (without stopping) and lose their ability to fight infection. This is what will cause the body prone to infection.
Just like cancer in general, cause mutations in the cells of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma is also not known with certainty. Experts suspect there are a number of factors that affect the likelihood of a person affected by this cancer. These risk factors include:
- A weakened immune system. It can be triggered by many things, such as people with HIV, the use of drugs lowering the immune system, as well as undergoing chemotherapy or radiotherapy.
- Autoimmune conditions, such as lupus or rheumatoid arthritis.
- Age factor. The cancer risk increases with age. Most non-Hodgkin's lymphoma strikes people aged 65 years and over.
- Gender. These cancers tend to be more frequently diidap by men compared to women.
- Suffering from an infection of some specific types of bacteria or viruses. For example, Epstein-Barr virus or Helicobacter pylori.
Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma have major symptoms such as swelling without pain in the lymph glands. Not all swelling indicates that you definitely have cancer. Also sometimes swollen lymph glands in response to infection experienced by the body.
In addition to swelling, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma has a number of other symptoms to watch. These symptoms include:
- Weight loss for no apparent reason.
- Sweating at night.
- Fever.
- Feel tired.
- Itching all over the body.
- Chest pain.
- Persistent cough.
- Shortness of breath.
- Stomach pain or swelling.
- Indigestion.
Diagnosis and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma Stadium
The process of early diagnosis of non-Hodgkin lymphoma tend to be just like any other disease, the physical examination. The doctor will also ask the symptoms that you experience in detail as well as your medical history. When you find a doctor that clear signs of the enlarged lymph nodes in specific body areas and spleen, without being able to find the cause, you will be encouraged to carry out further tests.
Some include:
- Biopsy is to take samples of lymph nodes affected by cancer. The tissue sample is then examined in a laboratory to determine if you are suffering from non-Hodgkin's lymphoma or not. If yes, once determined the type of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma that grows.
- If the biopsy is positive, further testing to determine the stage of the cancer and its spread area. Among others:
- Blood and urine tests to determine the overall health, determine levels of white blood cells / red blood cells / platelets, and make sure the kidneys and liver work well. X-ray, CT, MRI, or PET scan to see the spread of cancer. PET scans provide more detailed overview of how the organs work and the effect of treatment on the function of these organs.
- Lumbar puncture, ie the sampling procedure nervous system fluid to see the spread of cancer in the spinal cord.
- Stage 1 - cancer attacked one group of lymph nodes, for example, only groups of lymph nodes in the groin or neck.
- Stage 2 - the cancer had attacked two groups of lymph nodes or more, can be at the top or bottom of the diaphragm (the thin membrane limiting the abdominal cavity and chest cavity).
- Stage 3 - the cancer has spread to the lymph node groups in the upper body and lower diaphragm.
- Stage 4 - the cancer has spread through the lymphatic system and into an organ or bone marrow.
Each patient generally will undergo treatment methods of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma is different. The method will be determined by the physician based on several factors such as:
- Stage and stage of development of lymphoma suffered by the patient.
- The patient's age.
- Condition and medical history of the patient.
Patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma with slow growing, generally will undergo a thorough monitoring without any treatment. The doctor will schedule periodic inspections to monitor the condition and stage of cancer development pathway to the patient.
However, if the non-Hodgkin's lymphoma suffered by the patient, including the type of fast-growing and aggressive, doctors will advise patients to immediately undergo treatment. Treatment measures are generally recommended are:
- Chemotherapy. This therapy is most often used to treat non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. The drugs are given to kill cancer cells. Chemotherapy is sometimes combined with administration of steroid drugs to improve their effectiveness. However, steroid use is generally only be for the short term.
- Radiotherapy. This step is usually used to treat non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in the early stages, when the new cancer affects one part of the body.
- Monoclonal antibody therapy. The procedure is to enhance the immune system's ability to combat and eradicate cancer cells. However, these measures are only effective for certain types of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Provision of these drugs can also be combined with chemotherapy to reduce the risk of cancer cells that re-grow.
Despite undergoing treatment or even cured, patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma is still likely to experience complications. Some of them are:
- A weakened immune system. This is the most common complication, particularly during the initial treatment. The decline in the immune system increases the risk of infection.
- Increased risk of infertility. These complications sometimes be temporary or permanent and is generally triggered by chemotherapy and radiotherapy.
- Increased risk of occurrence of cancer or other diseases. Chemotherapy and radiotherapy kill cancer cells can also damage healthy cells, so that the risk of cancer and other diseases will also increase. Examples of diseases that could potentially appear include cataracts, diabetes, thyroid disease, heart disease, and kidney disorders.
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