What is lymphoma
- Lymphoma is a general term for cancer derived from the lymphocytic cells that make up the lymphoid system.
- This is a vital part of our immunological defence system and is made up of a complex network of lymph organs including lymph nodes (e.g. tonsils) bone marrow, the thymus gland and the spleen.
- There are many different sub-types of lymphoma which are divided into two main groups: Hodgkin’s lymphoma (Hodgkin’s Disease) and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL).
Hodgkin’s Lymphoma
Hodgkin’s lymphoma is a rare form of lymphoma characterised by a particular abnormal tumour cell – Reed Sternberg – not present in other forms of lymphoma.
- Approximately 1,400 people are diagnosed with the disease each year.
Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma (NHL)
Any lymphoma that is not Hodgkin’s lymphoma is classified as NHL.
- More than 9,000 people are diagnosed with NHL each year.
- There are many sub-types of NHL which are generally classified in two groups – low grade (indolent) or high grade (aggressive) depending on the rate at which the tumour is growing.
Causes
The exact cause of lymphoma is unknown. However, several risk factors are known to affect your risk.
Risk Factors
- Family History: People with a family history of NHL are at an increased risk of the disease even though no hereditary pattern has been established.
- Weakened Immune System: People with a weakened immune system are at an increased risk. Your immune system can be weakened by several different factors including: taking immunosuppressant drugs following an organ transplant, following high doses of radiotherapy or as result of diseases which affect the immune system, for example HIV infection.
- Exposure to Chemicals: People who have been exposed to chemicals such as pesticides, fertilisers or solvents may be at an increased risk.
- Infection in Early Life: Some types of lymphoma in children and adults have been linked with particular viruses or with more generalised patterns of infection early on in life.
Signs and Symptoms
Lymphoma, especially low grade, can be difficult to detect as often it has few symptoms and these are frequently mistaken for common ailments such as flu or fatigue.
The most common symptoms of lymphoma are:
- Painless swelling in the neck, armpit or groin
- Night sweats
- Unexplained fever
- Weight loss and tiredness
- Cough and breathlessness
- Persistent itch all over the body
Diagnosis
The only method for accurate diagnosis of lymphoma is a biopsy of an enlarged lymph node.
Treatment
There are several possible options and combinations for the treatment of lymphoma. The type of treatment offered will depend on the type and grade of the lymphoma.
- Watch and Wait: This is a period in the treatment of lymphoma in which little or no treatment is required. This is usually because lymphoma is slowly developing and the patient is living normal life with few, if any, side effects.
- Chemotherapy: The type of chemotherapy used is dependant on the type of lymphoma. Some chemotherapy drugs are given on their own but usually several are given in conjunction with each other.
- Radiation Therapy: Radiotherapy is the use of high energy x-rays to kill cancer cells.
- Monoclonal Antibodies: Monoclonal antibodies are laboratory-produced substances that recognise and bind to a specific target on the cancer cell surface killing the cancer cell in the process.
- Transplantation: Transplantation involves replacing cancerous cells with healthy blood stem cells (cells at the earliest stage of development). These cells can either be obtained by peripheral blood stem cell collection or by bone marrow harvest.
With acknowledgement to Institute of cancer research.
