What Is Lymph Cancer?
The lymphatic system is part of the immune system, consisting of the lymph nodes, lymphocyte cells, spleen, tonsils, adenoids and bone marrow. Lymph cancer, also known as lymphoma, is a group of cancers of the lymphocyte cells, which normally serve the body by attacking pathogens and fighting off diseases. Many types of different cancers fall under the umbrella of lymphoma, most of them very aggressive forms of cancer that can spread quickly.
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Types
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Lymphoma is generally divided into two categories: Hodgkin's lymphoma and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Lymphoma falls into one of the several classifications of Hodgkin's disease if the Reed-Sternberg cell is found. These are giant acidophilic cells with two or more nuclei. If the Reed-Sternberg cell is not found, lymphoma is classified as one of the more than 30 types of non-Hodgkin's disease. Because there are so many different types of lymphoma, which look similar but function differently and respond to different treatments, classification can be complex.
Identification
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Some symptoms of lymphoma resemble many other less serious conditions: weight loss, fevers, chills, fatigue, night sweats and occasionally, itching. Unlike a minor illness and infections, these symptoms don't go away in a few days or with antibiotic treatment. Swelling of the lymph nodes under the arm, in the neck or the groin is another common symptom. The swollen area itself is usually painless though it can cause discomfort such as numbness, tingling or some pain, if the swelling is compressing the blood or lymphatic vessels.
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Features
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The cause of lymph cancer has not yet been identified though doctors have learned that there are certain risk factors that may lead to the development of lymphoma. Though lymphoma attacks people of every age, most cases of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma occur in people over 60. Hodgkin's lymphoma is most frequently found in people under 35 or over 55. Infections such as HIV, hepatitis and Epstein-Barr virus are believed to increase risk, as well as auto-immune system diseases. Finally, exposure to toxins found in pesticides, solvents and even black hair dye are associated with the development of lymphoma.
Considerations
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In the first stage of lymphoma, the cancer cells are isolated to a specific area, usually a lymph gland. Stage two occurs when lymphoma spreads to more than one lymph gland or the surrounding tissue. Symptoms can still go unnoticed in these stages; but if caught, prognosis for patients is good. In stage three, cancer cells have broken away from the lymph nodes and begun spreading to tissue throughout the body, making eradication more difficult. By the time the disease has reached stage four, the cancer has generally spread to the bone marrow or vital organs such as the liver. Prognosis is poor at this stage, and treatment is harsh on the body.
Prevention/Solution
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Lymphoma is treated by an oncologist, who is usually a specialist in this specific area of cancer. Treatments for lymphoma vary, depending on a number of factors: type; sub-type; stage the cancer has reached; and the patient's health, age, medical history and other conditions. Lymphoma is commonly treated with radiation therapy, chemotherapy or biological therapy. The earlier the diagnosis and the more quickly a patient begins treatment, the better the chance of a cure.
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