Lymphomas are cancers that occur when lymphocytes become cancerous and spread in the blood and lymphatic system. There are two categories: Hodgkin’s disease and non-Hodgkin’s lymphomas, with the latter being more prevalent and increasing in the US. Symptoms include painless swelling in lymph nodes, fatigue, fever, and unexpected weight loss. Treatment depends on the specific type of cancer and can include radiation, chemotherapy, bone marrow transplants, and surgery.
Lymphomas is an umbrella term used for over forty related forms of cancer, each of which occurs when lymphocytes in the immune system become cancerous. As a result, cancer cells spread in the blood and are found in lymph nodes and other organs of the lymphatic system, such as the thymus, spleen, stomach, tonsils, small intestine, and bone marrow. Lymph nodes are found in the armpit, groin area, and neck.
There are two broad categories of lymphomas, Hodgkin’s disease and those classified as non-Hodgkin’s lymphomas. Collectively, lymphomas that comprise the non-Hodgkin lymphoma category are more prevalent than Hodgkin’s disease. Additionally, non-Hodgkin’s lymphomas have steadily increased in the United States, particularly among the elderly, while cases of Hodgkin’s disease have declined. Non-Hodgkin’s lymphomas are also found more frequently in children, with three of these lymphomas being the most common: lymphoblasts, non-cleaved small cell lymphomas, and large cell lymphomas. Most non-Hodgkin’s lymphomas develop in children between the ages of ten and twenty and are rare in children younger than five.
Individuals with lymphomas often experience swelling in the lymph nodes, although it is usually painless. They may also experience fatigue and fever. If Hodgkin’s disease develops in the person’s chest, they may also experience shortness of breath, cough, and chest pain. If it develops in the abdomen or pelvis, the patient may feel full or experience swelling in the abdomen. Other symptoms include night sweats, itchy skin, and unexpected and unexplained weight loss.
With non-Hodgkin’s lymphomas, a person may experience symptoms similar to those of Hodgkin’s disease. If lymphoma develops in the central nervous system, it can also cause seizures, paralysis, memory loss, and confusion.
The specific treatment strategies used for lymphomas depend on the specific type of cancer a person is diagnosed with. In most cases, lymphomas are treated with a combination of radiation, chemotherapy, bone marrow transplants, and surgery. The cure rate and life expectancy for lymphoma patients also depend on the type of patient and the progression of the disease before diagnosis.
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