Lymphoma Cancer
Lymphoma Risk Factors | Hodgkins Lymphoma Symptoms | Hodgkins Lymphoma Treatment | Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma Symptoms | Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma Treatment
Lymphoma is the name for a group of blood cancers that start in the lymphatic system. The lymphatic system is part of the body's immune system - the body's defense against infection. Lymphoma is a general name for a group of cancers that affect the lymphatic system. The two major types of lymphoma are Hodgkin lymphoma and non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
About 74,340 Americans were diagnosed with lymphoma in 2008, including 8,220 cases of Hodgkin's Lymphoma and 66,120 cases of Non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL).
Lymphoma Risk Factors
The following risk factors are associated with lymphoma:
HODGKIN'S LYMPHOMA
Hodgkins Lymphoma Symptoms
The most common sign of Hodgkin lymphoma is one or more enlarged lymph nodes. The enlarged lymph node is painless and may be in the neck, upper chest, armpit, abdomen or groin.
Some of the symptoms of Hodgkin lymphoma may also include:
Hodgkins Lymphoma Treatment
Hodgkin lymphoma can be cured in about 86 percent of all patients. The cure rate in younger patients is about 90 percent.
Treatment includes chemotherapy or chemotherapy and involved field radiation therapy, which targets the Hodgkin lymphoma masses. Other parts of the body are protected to prevent harm. Chemotherapy is used with radiation to kill nearby lymphoma cells.
Four or more drugs may be used together. Drugs may be injected, given through a catheter or taken by mouth.
NON-HODGKIN'S LYMPHOMA (NHL)
Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma Symptoms
The most common sign of Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma is one or more enlarged lymph nodes in the neck, armpit or groin. Enlarged lymph nodes also can be near the ears or elbow.
Some signs and symptoms of NHL are:
Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma Treatment
Some of the available treatments are:
About 74,340 Americans were diagnosed with lymphoma in 2008, including 8,220 cases of Hodgkin's Lymphoma and 66,120 cases of Non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL).
Lymphoma Risk FactorsThe following risk factors are associated with lymphoma:
- Age: majority of the people diagnosed are usually are over the age of 60
- Weak Immune System: Other illnesses or diseases, such as HIV/AIDS weakens the immune system and can make the body more susceptible to lymphoma
- Infections: Illnesses, such as HIV/AIDS, Epstein-Barr virus, Hepatitis C, and Helicobacter pylori are all factors that can increase the risk of developing lymphoma
- Exposure to Chemicals: Long-term exposure to some chemicals like benzene, herbicides (weed killers), pesticides (insect killers)
- Previous Treatment for Other Cancers: Individuals who have received chemotherapy or radiation therapy for previous cancers
Hodgkins Lymphoma SymptomsThe most common sign of Hodgkin lymphoma is one or more enlarged lymph nodes. The enlarged lymph node is painless and may be in the neck, upper chest, armpit, abdomen or groin.
Some of the symptoms of Hodgkin lymphoma may also include:
- Fever
- Night sweats
- Tiredness
- Weight loss
- Itchy skin
Hodgkins Lymphoma TreatmentHodgkin lymphoma can be cured in about 86 percent of all patients. The cure rate in younger patients is about 90 percent.
Treatment includes chemotherapy or chemotherapy and involved field radiation therapy, which targets the Hodgkin lymphoma masses. Other parts of the body are protected to prevent harm. Chemotherapy is used with radiation to kill nearby lymphoma cells.
Four or more drugs may be used together. Drugs may be injected, given through a catheter or taken by mouth.
NON-HODGKIN'S LYMPHOMA (NHL)
Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma SymptomsThe most common sign of Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma is one or more enlarged lymph nodes in the neck, armpit or groin. Enlarged lymph nodes also can be near the ears or elbow.
Some signs and symptoms of NHL are:
- Painless swelling of lymph nodes in neck, underarm, and groin
- Fever
- Night sweats
- Fatigue
- Weight loss
- Recurring infections
- Loss of appetite
Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma TreatmentSome of the available treatments are:
- Chemotherapy - Is given in "cycles," usually several weeks apart. Patients need a number of cycles. The treatment may last from 6 to 10 months - it is outpatient treatment for most patients. Some patients may have to be in the hospital for a short time - if the patient develops a fever or other signs of infection. Some patients who need antibiotics may stay in the hospital until the infection is gone.
- Drug Treatments - May include up to five drugs. For example, R-CHOP - Rituxan ®, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, Oncovin ® (vincristine), prednisone - is a common drug combination for some types of NHL.
- Radiation Therapy - can be used along with chemotherapy when there are very large masses of lymphoma cells in a small area of the body.
- Stem Cell Transplant - (sometimes called a bone marrow transplant) is used for some patients with NHL.
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