By: DeShanta Wade
Lymphoma is a type of cancer involving cells
of the immune system, called lymphocytes.
It has as many different cancers of
lymphocytes-about 35 different subtypes.
Lymph nodes are small collections of lymph tissue that occur throughout
the body. The lymphatic system is part of the immune system. It consists
of a network of vessels that carry a fluid called lymph, similar to the way
that the network of blood vessels carry blood throughout the body. The
lymphatic system involves lymphatic channels that connect thousands of
lymph nodes scattered throughout the body. Lymph flows through the
lymph nodes, as well as through other lymphatic tissues including the
spleen, the tonsils, the bone marrow, and the thymus gland. These lymph
nodes filter the lymph, which may carry bacteria, viruses, or other
microbes. The lymph nodes filter the lymph, which may on various
occasions carry different microbial organisms.
Age
Infection
Medical conditions that compromise the
immune system
Exposure to toxic chemicals
The presence of these risk factors does
not mean a person will actually develop
lymphoma. In fact, most people with one
or several of these risk factors do not
develop lymphoma.
Symptoms of lymphoma may include the following: Fevers
Chills
Unexplained weight loss
Night sweats
Lack of energy
Itching
These symptoms are nonspecific. This means that they could be
caused by any number of conditions unrelated to cancer.
Treatment for lymphoma depends on the type and stage. Factors
such as age, overall health, and whether one has already been
treated for lymphoma before are included in the treatment
decision-making process. Even though there are several types of
therapies, the most widely used therapies are the combinations of
chemotherapy and radiation therapy.
Chemotherapy- is the use of powerful drugs to kill cancer cells.
Chemotherapy is a systemic therapy, meaning that it circulates through the
bloodstream and affects all parts of the body. Ideally, chemotherapy can
find and kill cancer cells anywhere in the body. Unfortunately,
chemotherapy also affects healthy cells; this accounts for its well-known
side effects.
Radiation therapy- uses high-energy rays to kill cancer cells. It is
considered a local therapy, meaning that it should be used to target
areas of the body involved by tumor masses. A radiation oncologist
will plan and supervise therapy.
The most common side effects of chemotherapy are:
Suppression of blood counts, which could result in
increased susceptibility to infection (low white blood cell
count)
Anemia (low red blood cell count)
Blood clotting problems (low platelet)
Nausea and vomiting
Loss of appetite
Hair loss
Sores in the mouth and digestive tract
Fatigue
Muscle aches
Changes in fingernails and toenails.
Specific drugs may confer other, specific side effects.
There is no known ways to prevent lymphoma.
The best thing to do is to avoid the risk factors
for the disease. On the other hand some of the
factors are unknown and almost impossible to
avoid. Risk factors such as HIV, EBV, and
hepatitis are infection with viruses that that can
be avoided with frequent hand
washing, practicing safe sex, and by not sharing
needles, razors, toothbrushes, and similar
personal items that might be contaminated with
infected blood or secretions.