What is Lymphomas?
A lymphoma is a malignant, or a lifethreatening, tumor of the lymph glands.
There are two general types of lymphomas.
- One is called Hodgkin's disease.
- The other is non-Hodgkin's lymphomas.
What are the Symptoms?
The first symptom of non-Hodgkin's lymphomas is usually a swollen gland. This can occur anywhere in your body, but the first ones commonly appear in your neck, armpit or groin. Other possible symptoms include feeling generally ill, losing your appetite, losing weight, fever and night sweats.
What are the Risks?
Lymphomas are a very rare form of tumor. All types of lymphomas are ultimately fatal if they are not treated. Different types, however, respond very differently to treatment. The potential for cure also differs according to the type of lymphoma you have.
What should be Done?
If you have a swelling or lump that persists for no obvious reason for more than two weeks, see your physician. If the swelling is an enlarged lymph gland, and there is no evidence that the swelling has been caused by an ordinary infection, the physician may take a blood sample and arrange for you to have the gland examined and probably removed. The blood test and an examination of the gland
tissue will usually permit your physician to determine if you have a lymphoma and, if so, what type you have.
If a lymphoma is present, more tests are needed to determine the extent of the disease. A chest X-ray may reveal enlarged glands in the chest. A lymphangiogram may be performed to detect any enlarged glands in the abdomen. A bone marrow biopsy, the removal and examination of a small amount of marrow, may also be necessary to determine if lymphoma is present there. Other tests may be necessary as well.
What is the Treatment?
If only the glands in a single part of your body, such as the neck, are affected, you may be treated with radiation therapy, or radiation therapy followed by chemotherapy. In chemotherapy, cytotoxic, or anticancer drugs are used. If the disease is more widespread, chemotherapy will probably be the main form of treatment. Most chemotherapy is given intravenously. Radiation therapy may be used to supplement chemotherapy.
Treatment usually requires that you stay in a hospital for a short time initially while you are given a combination of drugs. The treatment is repeated at intervals of a few weeks, in your physician's office. Your response will depend on two factors. The first and most important one is the type of lymphoma you have. The second factor is the extent to which the disease has spread in your body.