What is Lymphoma?

21:55 - 4 May , 2021

Disease

It is a variety of cancer that attacks the lymphatic system in its entirety and can occur mainly in the lymph nodes, bone marrow, thymus, and spleen, although it can also appear in organs such as the liver. The most common types of lymphoma are Hodgkin’s and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

In both, the treatment will be established based on the pathology’s degree of progress, although treatments such as radiotherapy, chemotherapy, hematopoietic cell transplant, and immunotherapy are generally combined.

Classification of lymphomas:

  • Hodgkin lymphoma.
  • Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
  • Cutaneous T-cell lymphoma.
  • Cutaneous B-cell lymphoma.
  • Lymphocytic leukemia.

Signs and symptoms Lymphoma

The symptoms depend on the level of progress of the disease and the affected area, but usually include the following:

  • Breathing problems.
  • Decreased body weight.
  • Itch.
  • Tiredness and weakness.
  • High fever.
  • Swollen lymph nodes.
  • Excessive sweating.

If you experience any of these symptoms, see your doctor. As with many types of cancer, lymphoma can be cured if diagnosed and treated early.

The apparent origin of lymphoma is the result of a mutation in white blood cell genes that begin to multiply uncontrollably with this alteration, which makes them dysfunctional, causing inflammation in the components of the lymphatic system.

Potential risks:

  • Being a man.
  • Having a weak immune system, either due to illness or due to the intake of drugs that inhibit the body’s defenses.
  • Being over 50 years old.
  • Infections such as those caused by Helicobacter pylori or the Epstein-Barr virus.

Diagnosis and treatment Lymphoma

Once your doctor analyzes your symptoms and clinical history, they will perform a physical examination to explore the lymph nodes and if there is inflammation in some organs.

Likewise, it will request the following tests to issue an accurate diagnosis:

  • Blood test.
  • Imaging studies:
  • Computed tomography.
  • MRI.
  • Positron emission tomography (PET).
  • Lymph node biopsy.
  • Bone marrow biopsy.

The appropriate treatment for your case is established according to the type of lymphoma and its stage. Its purpose is to eliminate diseased cells.

The most used therapies are:

  • Chemotherapy.
  • Radiotherapy.
  • Hematopoietic cell transplant.
  • Immunotherapy.

Since its opening in 2009, our Cancer Center offers chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatments at the level of the best medical centers in the world through a comprehensive care model for cancer patients.

We include the most innovative therapies in chemotherapy in facilities specially designed for your comfort and peace of mind.

In radiotherapy procedures, we provide you with evidence-based treatment plans discussed with experts from Houston Methodist Hospital, using state-of-the-art technological equipment in state-of-the-art facilities.

Fuentes:

  • cancer.org
  • cancer.net
  • cancer.gov
  • mayoclinic.org
  • medlineplus.gov
  • medigraphic.com
  • Aguilar-Torres CR, Márquez-Ramírez YA, Mariñelarena-Carrillo EO, et al. Linfoma de Burkitt en la mama durante el embarazo: reporte de un caso. Ginecol Obstet Mex. 2021;89(08):647-654.
  • Quero-Hernández A, Garnica CA, Socorro LZ. Linfoma no Hodgkin de células T primario de laringe. Presentación de un caso clínico. Rev Hosp Jua Mex. 2006;73(2):64-69.
  • González-Sánchez V, Ku-Macedo A, Gaytán-Robles U. Hipereosinofilia y elevación de IgE: manifestaciones atípicas de linfoma cutáneo primario de células T. Med Int Mex. 2021;37(4):636-641.
  • Córdova-Serrano R, Cevallos-Espinel J, Vargas-Maradiaga AL, et al. Linfoma de la zona marginal asociado con el bronquio. Rev Hematol Mex. 2021;22(1):50-55.

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