Lymphoma is a serious, latent disease that develops silently without its symptoms appearing at first. Therefore, attention should be paid to it and awareness of its nature must be raised. Its danger lies in the fact that it affects essential parts of the immune system responsible for protecting the body, and thus may cause a weakened immune system. Despite its seriousness and its severity varying from one person to another, it is a treatable disease when detected early.

What is lymphoma?

The lymphatic system is one of the important organs that fights microbes that attack the body. It consists of a group of lymph nodes made up of cells. Symptoms of lymphoma appear clearly when these cells begin to multiply excessively, forming malignant fibrous tumors that spread to various places in the lymphatic system, such as the bone marrow, spleen, or tonsils.

Types of lymphoma

Knowing the types of this cancer is important, because this helps determine the appropriate treatment. There are two main types of it::

Hodgkin's lymphoma

This type of lymphoma can be identified by the large, multi-nucleated cells that characterize it, known as Reed-Sternberg cells. There are two types of it: classical Hodgkin lymphoma, which destroys lymphocytes and the Reed-Sternberg cells are large in size, while atypical Hodgkin lymphoma has larger cells in size and their number is concentrated in the upper part of the body.

Non-Hodgkin lymphoma

It is the most common type, as it affects about 95% of cases, and targets B and T cells in the lymph nodes or tissues. There are different types, including Burkitt lymphoma, in which the cells grow at a remarkable speed. This tumor is divided into three types: endemic, sporadic, and associated with immunodeficiency.

Symptoms of lymphoma

Although it is difficult to recognize lymphoma at its beginning, there are some symptoms associated with it that help in identifying it, including the following:

• Short fever that recurs constantly.
• Painless lumps under the skin in the neck and underarm area.
• Heavy sweating, especially at night.
• Loss of appetite and weight loss.
• Chest pain.
• cough.
• Difficulty breathing.
• Feeling itchy.
• Changes in the tone of speech, difficulty swallowing, and a change in the shape of the neck area, with the appearance of hard, painless lumps, are also symptoms of lymphoma in the neck.

Read more about: The most important symptoms of early and late lymphoma

Stages of lymphoma

Lymphoma develops through several stages as follows:

• The first stage is when the cancer appears in only one place, which may be one lymph node or one area in an organ of the lymphatic system. When the disease is discovered in this case, appropriate treatment can be obtained quickly.
• The second stage is when the cancer spreads to more than one lymph node. It may start from one of the lymphatic system organs, and it also spreads to the lymph nodes, but it remains on one side.
• Stage 3: The cancer has spread to several lymph nodes on both sides of the body.
• Stage 4 is the most dangerous stage, because the cancer affects organs outside the lymphatic system, such as the liver and lungs.

Causes of lymphoma

There are no specific causes for this disease, and the genetic factor may be the most common cause. There are some factors that increase the risk of developing it, including the following:

• As we age, mutations in DNA increase, so non-Hodgkin's lymphoma is more common among people over 60 years old, while Hodgkin's lymphoma affects younger people.
• Weak immune system, as AIDS patients and those taking immunosuppressive medications are more susceptible to lymphoma.
• Exposure to harmful chemicals including pesticides and fertilizers.
• Gender is one of the factors affecting the incidence of the disease, as Hodgkin's lymphoma is more common among men, while the incidence of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma is higher among women.
• Infection with hepatitis C or one of the immune viruses increases the risk of developing this disease.

How is lymphoma diagnosed?

The disease is diagnosed by a specialized doctor who performs a set of examinations and tests to confirm its infection. The diagnostic procedures he performs are as follows:

• Asking the patient about his family medical history.
• Conducting clinical examinations to identify the accompanying symptoms, tumor locations, and size.
• Taking a sample from the lymph nodes in various parts of the body to detect cancer cells.
• Taking a sample of bone marrow fluid using special needles.
• Positron emission tomography is one of the diagnostic methods that I confirmed Studies.
• Blood tests to determine the levels of certain substances that indicate the presence of cancer.
• Chest X-ray examination.
• Performing a molecular test on proteins and genes in lymphoma cells.
• Magnetic resonance imaging.

Learn about: معامل تحاليل الاورام: أحدث التقنيات المستخدمة ودورها في التشخيص المبكر للسرطان

مضاعفات سرطان الغدد اللمفاوية

Lymphoma results in many risks, because it gradually destroys the immune system, and if it is not treated, it reaches an advanced stage that requires specialized treatments. In addition, the method of treating it using chemotherapy increases the risk of developing other diseases, and in some cases the complications are a state of relapse that affects the patient several years after receiving treatment, where the disease returns strongly.

Lymphoma treatment

Cancer treatment is chosen based on its type, degree of danger, extent of its spread in the body, the patient’s health condition, and age. The available treatments are as follows:

• In some cases, monitoring the patient until symptoms that affect the condition appear so that the best treatment can be chosen.
• Chemotherapy to destroy cancer cells within the lymph nodes.
• Radioimmunotherapy using high-energy doses of radiation directed to destroy cancerous B and T cells.
• Radiation therapy with specific doses of radiation aimed at destroying parts of the cancerous tumor.
• A biological treatment that stimulates the immune system to fight cancer cells using live microorganisms.
• Steroid injections.
• Stem cell transplantation to restore bone marrow.
• Performing surgery to remove the organs in which the disease has spread.
• Introducing artificial antibodies into the bloodstream to fight cancer cells.

The laboratory department works in Al Mousa Specialist Hospital To diagnose lymphoma with great accuracy through the use of the latest screening techniques, Book appointmentGet quick consultation and full support for your condition through pain management programs.

Frequently asked questions

Is lymphoma dangerous?

Yes, because it develops rapidly, and becomes more ferocious and aggressive in its advanced stages.

How long does a stage IV lymphoma patient live?

It is not possible to predict a specific number of years, because it depends on the type of cancer, the patient’s age, health condition, and the extent of his response to treatment. Usually, the survival rate for patients with Hodgkin’s lymphoma is 70 to 80 percent, and the percentage increases as the disease is discovered in its initial stages.

How long does a lymphoma patient live without treatment?

A lymphoma patient cannot live without treatment, because the symptoms worsen, and the cancer cells spread and multiply rapidly, reaching various places, and disrupting the functioning of the body’s organs.

Does lymphoma show up in blood tests?

No, because it is one of the diagnostic procedures for the disease, and is not primarily used to detect it.

Does lymphoma spread?

Yes, if the patient reaches the third stage of the disease, the cancer cells begin to spread and reach organs outside the lymphatic system.

How many chemotherapy sessions does lymphoma require?

This depends on the patient's condition, his response, the type of cancer, the extent of its progress in the body, and the side effects resulting from receiving treatment, because if severe effects appear, the treatment must be stopped immediately, and the treatment plan must be changed.