Lymphomatoid granulomatosis is a rare cancer that affects white blood cells and can accumulate in various body tissues, causing symptoms specific to the affected organ. It is believed to be caused by the Epstein-Barr virus and can be treated with a combination of corticosteroids, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, surgery, bone marrow transplants, antiviral drugs, or interferon therapy. It is more common in males, people over 50, and those with weakened immune systems.
The rare cancer disease, lymphomatoid granulomatosis, typically develops in certain white blood cells contained in the blood and lymphatic systems. The abnormal cells proliferate beyond normal levels and circulate throughout the body, accumulating in blood vessels and various body tissues. The disease produces a variety of symptoms depending on the location of the abnormal cell aggregation. Cell destruction caused by lymphoproliferative disorder usually results in deaths over the course of about five years, but some patients experience remission after treatment.
The disorder mainly affects the B cells of the immune system, which normally produce antibodies against organisms perceived as a threat. Researchers believe that the Epstein-Barr virus may be responsible for granulomatosis lymphomatoid cancer, as tissue samples typically reveal the presence of these viral cells. Because the disease affects the production and development of B cells, scientists believe the affliction is similar to non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. The abnormal cells can clump anywhere in the body, producing symptoms specific to a particular organ or system, but often settle in the central nervous system, lungs, and skin.
Patients usually experience fever and weight loss accompanied by a general feeling of illness. As the disorder infiltrates the lungs, they may have difficulty breathing and a feeling of tightness in the chest. Discolored phlegm and a productive cough are usually signs of a secondary infection or hemorrhage from cell destruction, and death often occurs due to respiratory failure. Lymphomatoid granulomatosis might also produce lymphoid-related skin conditions that cause painful, raised, and reddened areas on the skin. Skin conditions could also include nodules under the surface, which eventually ulcerate.
If lymphomatoid granulomatosis infiltrates the central nervous system, the disease affects blood vessels, brain, and nerve tissue. Inflammation occurs, and patients typically develop meningitis with symptoms including behavioral, cognitive, or sensory changes, seizures, paralysis, or lack of physical coordination. When the abnormal cells collect in sufficient numbers in the blood vessels, patients typically suffer from high blood pressure, and when the pressure on the vascular walls increases, the condition usually destroys the blood vessels resulting in hemorrhage.
The disease usually develops more frequently in males, people over the age of 50, and those with weakened immune systems. Healthcare professionals typically diagnose lymphomatoid granulomatosis using computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, and tissue biopsies. Depending on the stage of the disease process, doctors might use corticosteroids to reduce inflammation along with chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and surgery. Bone marrow transplants, antiviral drugs or interferon therapy could also be implemented in the treatment of the disease.
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