Research Paper: Non-Hodgkis Lymphoma
Non-Hodgkis lymphoma is one of the many types of lymphoma that exists (about 88% that are diagnosed have Non-Hodgkins). The difference between Hodgkins and Non-Hodgkins is the absence of Reed- Sternbergs cells in Non- Hodgkins, which are key in diagnosing. Therefore, it is much harder to diagnose Non-Hodgkin and it is typically more advanced when it is. This form of cancer is constructed when lymphocytes (white blood cells) become abnormally shaped and collect in your lymph nodes. This abnormal collection can take place in any of your lymph nodes including in your neck, armpits, groin, chest, and abdomen. These collections can form cysts and spread throughout your body. There are 3 stages characterized; localized (one lymph node), regional (cancer spreads from one lymph node to a nearby organ, or distant (cancer has spread to distant areas such as bone marrow).
NHL can progress at a high grade (fast progression) or low grade ( slow progression). This depends on many factors of your health and cancer type. Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma primarily contains B-cell lymphoma. B cells are a type of lymphocyte that fight infections and produce antibodies to fight off invaders. In rare cases, some develop it in T-cell (peripheral T cell lymphoma and cutaneous T Cell lymphoma). T-cells are involved in killing foreign invaders directly. This impairment of the lymphocytes is what so greatly affects the body's immune system. It is important to determine which cell the lymphoma derives from to properly create a course of treatment.
Those at risk are typically characterized as caucasian males of older age. In addition to this if you have a high protein/meat diet, are exposed to certain pesticides/chemicals, have HIV or AIDS, or are on immune-suppressing medications can also increase your risk. Although these are some risk factors they are rarely obvious in those that do have it and those who have risk factors rarely develop the disease.
Symptoms included with NHL are very normalized symptoms. Therefore, making it hard to diagnose at times because many tend to underestimate the severity of these symptoms. Some include but are not limited to, fever, weight loss, fatigue/weakness, sweating, swollen lymph nodes, rash, itchy skin, and difficulty breathing. In order to be diagnosed a biopsy of the affected lymph node will be performed and sent for testing. If the biopsy comes back positive, testing such as blood labs, bone marrow biopsy, CT/PET scans will determine the severity and grade of the lymphoma.
Due to this blood cancer directly debilitating the immune system the treatment options are very harsh and strict. The oncologist will determine the care plan and treatment options available based on the state of health, age, and grade of cancer the patient in question has. Common forms of treatment are often chemotherapy, targeted radiation and chemotherapy at the lymphoma, stem cell transplant, biological treatments (antibodies directed at lymphoma cells), and in some cases clinical trials. The 5-year survival rate for those suffering from NHL is 70%.
