General Information About Lymphoma
Disease Details and Frequently Asked Questions
It is the condition where white blood cells called 'Lymphocytes' circulating in the immune system network (lymphatic system), which protects our body against microbes, are incorrectly coded, become cancerous, and accumulate in masses in the lymph nodes.
If giant cells called 'Reed-Sternberg' are seen under the microscope as a result of a biopsy, it is called Hodgkin Lymphoma (common in youth). If these cells are absent, the disease is called Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma (NHL) (common in older ages and has dozens of different subtypes).
The most typical initial symptom of lymphoma is PAINLESS lymph node swellings of rubbery consistency that appear in the neck, armpit, or groin regions and do not recede with antibiotics.
The very specific 'B Symptoms' accompanying the disease are: Unexplained fever, rapid weight loss, and Severe Night Sweats, especially at night, which are intense enough to require changing completely soaked clothes.
The definitive diagnosis is made by completely removing that swollen lymph node as a WHOLE and sending it to pathology (Excisional Biopsy). A full-body PET-CT (Cancer Screening Tomography) is taken to see where the disease has spread in the body.
Lymphoma is one of the cancer types in which modern medicine is most successful in treating. Many of its subtypes are completely eliminated with a Complete Cure. The main treatment protocols consist of Chemotherapy and Smart Drugs (Immunotherapy). In resistant cases, Stem Cell Transplantation (Bone Marrow Transplant) is applied.
Our health library contents are prepared for informational purposes only and with scientific data available at the time of recording. For all your questions, concerns, diagnosis, or treatment regarding your health, please consult your doctor or a healthcare institution.
