Lymphoma
See also: Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma
What is it?
Lymphomas are cancerous growths of the lymph cells. These are cells in the body usually
found in lymph nodes, which are small lima-bean sized structures located principally in
the neck, arm pits, and groin. The function of these lymph nodes is to protect the body
from infections and to help the immune cells recognize invaders.
For reasons we do not understand, occasionally a lymph cell will turn malignant or
cancerous, and begin to produce more and more cells. While a signal to grow is part of the
cause of lymphoma, in many lymphomas the cells do not die off as they normally would.
This leads to an accumulation of cells that can then produce symptoms.
Although lymphomas typically arise from lymph nodes, they can begin in any organ or
structure of the body. It requires careful analysis by trained pathologists to diagnose
lymphomas because there are many different types of lymphomas. It is important to
distinguish among them since the treatment can vary widely.
Who gets it?
Lymphomas are divided into two large groups:
Hodgkin’s Disease (about 5,000 cases in the United States each year)
Non Hodgkin's Lymphoma (about 60,000 new cases in the United States each year)
Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma is one of the few cancers
that is increasing at a fairly fast
rate in the United States. Each year the number of cases increases by about 7% over the
previous year. It is not known what causes Lymphoma in most patients who have this
disease. We do know that certain things can increase the likelihood of getting lymphoma.
One is exposure to herbicides or pesticides, (weed killers or bug killers). People with
certain autoimmune diseases in which the body fights itself also have an increased chance
of getting lymphoma. While very rare in the United States, there are some lymphomas that
are caused by viruses. Lymphomas are not inherited, nor are they contagious (spread from
one person to another).
What are the symptoms?
The symptoms of lymphoma vary widely depending on where the disease begins and the type of
lymphoma. These diseases may begin as painless swellings of lymph nodes
that are usually
noticed first by patients, often when they are showering or bathing. In order to determine
that a lymphoma is present in an enlarged lymph node, a biopsy must be performed. This is
a minor operation to take out a lymph node and examine under the
microscope.
Some patients with lymphomas have low-grade fevers, weight loss, or sweat excessively
when they are asleep at night. Any lump or swelling that you notice should be brought to
your doctor’s attention and should be biopsied if it persists.
How is it diagnosed?
Diagnosis is made by taking out a lymph node or a piece of a node to analyze
under the microscope. Sometimes it takes more then one biopsy to make the diagnosis. It is
very important that an accurate diagnosis be made before treatment is initiated.
What is the Treatment?
Since there are many forms of lymphoma, it is difficult to make general statements about
treatment. However, this disease is almost never cured by surgery. Rather, chemotherapy
and radiation are the main treatments used. Sometimes no therapy is recommended because
the disease progresses very slowly and does not bother the patient. At times the
treatment can be more damaging to the patient than the disease. For some patients with
some kinds of lymphomas, high dose chemotherapy with stemcell transplant
is recommended.
It is important to talk with your physician about the immediate side effects of
treatment, as well as the long-term side effects. Many patients with Hodgkin’s disease
are cured of their lymphoma and go on to lead normal lives. However, there could be some
side effects from treatment which may be important later and need to be addressed. A
particularly important issue is that chemotherapy may prevent a woman from having children
or a man from fathering them. This is an important issue which should be discussed with
your physician before therapy is begun.
Specialists Who Treat Lymphoma
This information has been designed as a comprehensive and quick reference
guide written by our health care reviewers. The health information written
by our authors is intended to be a supplement to the care provided by your
physician. It is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for
professional medical advice.
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