Lymphoma is cancer that develops in the lymphatic system of the body that helps affect off infections and diseases. The lymphatic system is present throughout the body and hence lymphoma can develop anywhere. There are two forms of lymphoma; Hodgkin lymphoma and non-Hodgkin lymphoma. The non-Hodgkin lymphoma is one of the common types of lymphoma and the treatments are based on the type. The B-cell lymphomas and the T-cell lymphomas are the most common ones of non-Hodgkin lymphomas. The B-cell lymphomas can either be indolent or aggressive. The indolent lymphomas are very slow growing and may not require treatment although the growth will be monitored. The aggressive lymphomas are fast growing and usually require immediate treatment. The subtypes of B-cell lymphomas include diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, follicular lymphoma, Burkitt lymphoma, mantle cell lymphoma, small lymphocytic lymphoma and MALT lymphoma.
Symptoms
There are more than 500 lymph nodes present all over the body that are connected through the lymph vessels. Some of the lymph nodes are present under the arms, chest, pelvis, abdomen and the groin. The non-Hodgkin lymphoma can also affect other organs such as the lungs, liver and the stomach. The symptoms are usually based on the part of the body it develops and the stage of the disease. Some of the common symptoms of non-Hodgkin lymphoma include fever, enlarged lymph nodes in the neck, underarms or the groin, weight loss, skin rash, difficulty moving parts of the body, pain in the chest or abdomen, shortness of breath, feeling of fullness, loss of appetite, night sweats and fatigue. If the symptoms persist for more than a couple of weeks, it is important to get a medical evaluation.
Diagnosis
The diagnosis of non-Hodgkin lymphoma is based on the evaluation of the individual’s medical history, a physical examination that looks for enlarged nodes and various tests. Imaging tests will also be required to identify the possible cause of the symptoms and to determine the stage of lymphoma. The imaging tests may include chest x-ray, CT scan, MRI, bone scan and ultrasound. The blood tests help determine the presence of certain types of cells and chemicals which can help determine the stage of lymphoma. This can include a complete blood count, blood chemistry tests for kidney or liver function and tests to detect an infection such as hepatitis C. A biopsy may also be required involving a procedure to remove the lymph node to confirm the diagnosis.
Treatment
As there are several types of B-cell lymphoma, the treatment is based on the health of the individual, the type and the stage of cancer. The treatments can consist of chemotherapy, immunotherapy, radiation therapy or a targeted therapy. Surgery may be an option when cancer starts in the spleen or organs outside the lymph system like the thyroid but this is rare. Radiation therapy is usually the treatment option over surgery when cancer is confined to one part of the body.
References
https://www.cancer.org/cancer/non-hodgkin-lymphoma/treating/surgery.html
https://www.cancer.org/cancer/non-hodgkin-lymphoma/detection-diagnosis-staging/how-diagnosed.html
