Understanding and Treatment of Lymphoma

Lymphoma is a cancer arising in the lymphatic system that connects stain lymph or lymph nodes throughout the body. The lymphatic system includes an important part of the human immune system.White blood cells lymphocytes in the lymphatic system helps the formation of antibodies to fight the infection. But if the B lymphocyte cells in the lymphatic system attacked cancer, the immune system will decrease the patient vulnerable to infections.

Types of Lymphoma
This cancer can be categorized into two types: Hodgkin lymphoma and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. The main difference lies in the type of lymphocyte cells that attacked cancer and can be detected through examination under a microscope by a doctor.

Hodgkin's lymphoma is classified in kind if doctors detect the presence of Reed-Sternberg cells abnormal in cancer cells. While lymphomas without abnormal cells are included in the category of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma is more common than Hodgkin lymphoma. It is estimated that about 8 out of 10 cases of lymphomas are of this type.

Symptoms of Lymphoma
The main symptoms experienced by patients with lymphoma is growing bump. These lumps are painless and usually appear on the neck, armpits and groin.

Besides a lump, there are some symptoms that may be felt by sufferers. Indications are typically include:

• Always feeling tired.
• Sweating at night.
• Fever and chills.
• Frequent infections or infections that are difficult to heal.
• Itching all over the body.
• Weight loss for no apparent reason.
• No appetite.
• Swelling in the abdomen.
• Stomach ache.
• A cough that does not go away.
• Respiratory disorders.
• Chest pain.

Immediately see a doctor if you feel any of these symptoms. Although it has a lump, it does not mean you must be suffering from lymphoma, but it is advisable to keep checks as early as possible.

Causes and Risk Factors Lymphoma
Lymphoma occurs because of changes or mutations in the DNA of the lymphocyte cells so that growth becomes uncontrolled. The cause behind this mutation is not known with certainty. But there are some things that can increase the person's risk for lymphoma. These risk factors include:

• Age. Most of Hodgkin's lymphoma occur in people aged 15-30 years and senior citizens over 55 years. While the risk of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma increases with age, particularly the elderly aged over 60 years.
• Heredity. Your risk for developing lymphoma increases if you have an immediate family member (father, mother, or sibling) who suffer from the same type of cancer.
• Been infected by Epstein-Barr virus or EBV. This virus causes glandular fever. People who have had glandular fever higher risk of Hodgkin's lymphoma.
• A weakened immune system, such as HIV or use of immunosuppressive drugs.
• Gender. Lymphoma is more common in men than women.

Diagnosis and Stage Lymphoma
Inquiring about symptoms experienced by patients is the first step in the diagnosis of all diseases, including lymphoma. Your medical history and physical examination will you live.

If you suspect lymphoma, doctors will recommend several examinations or tests to confirm the diagnosis. The test measures include:

• Blood and urine tests. Through this step, the doctor will determine your overall health condition.
• X-ray, CT, MRI, and PET scans. This check is used to see the spread of lymphoma.
• Biopsy is to take a sample swollen lymph nodes and bone marrow.

Biopsies, X-ray, CT Scan, MRI, and PET scans will also help physicians to determine the stage and level of development of lymphoma that you suffered. Here is a brief explanation of the stages in lymphoma.

• Stage 1 - cancer attacked one group of lymph stains.
• Stage 2 - the cancer attacked two groups of lymph stains or spread to the lymph organs around the stain, but is confined to the upper body or bottom.
• Stage 3 - the cancer spreading to the lymph stains on the top and bottom of the diaphragm.
• Stage 4 - the cancer has spread through the lymphatic system and into an organ or bone marrow.

Step Treatment of Lymphoma
Treatment of lymphoma may not be the same for every person with. Your doctor will determine the best steps for you based on your health condition, type, and stage of your lymphoma.

Especially for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, not all of which require immediate medical attention. If you are contracting cancers including the type of slow growing, your doctor may suggest to wait and see how this develops first. There is even a non-Hodgkin's lymphoma early stage with a small size that can be addressed through the appointment procedure at the time of the biopsy so that patients do not require further treatment.

If you need a lymphoma treatment, a major step in handling it is chemotherapy. Chemotherapy may be given through an IV or oral medication. Types given by the doctor depending on the stage of the cancer that you suffered. This therapy is also sometimes combined with:

• Radiotherapy.
• Steroid medicines.
• Biological therapies, such as rituximab medicine. This drug will attach themselves to cancer cells and stimulate the immune system to attack and kill him.
• Bone marrow transplant. This step is required for patients with lymphoma who undergo bone marrow damage as a result of high-dose chemotherapy.

In addition to the benefits and effectiveness, these measures also have side effects. Some of the potential side effects commonly experienced by sufferers include fatigue, diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting.

In addition, a decrease in the immune system, the risk of infertility, the potential for other cancers is also a side effect of treatment complications. The risk of other diseases may also be increased, for example, heart disease, kidney, diabetes, and cataracts.

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