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Lymphoma: Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment, and Research

Lymphoma is a type of blood cancer that affects the immune system. It specifically affects white blood cells called lymphocytes, which are an important part of the immune system. Lymphoma is also called lymphatic system cancer or lymphatic cancer.

What is Lymphoma?

What is Lymphatic System?

The lymphatic system, or lymphoid system, is an organ system of vertebrates that is part of the immune system and is complementary to the circulatory system. It consists of an extensive network of lymphatic vessels, lymph nodes, lymphoid organs, lymphatic tissue, and lymph.

Read more about Lymphatic System

Types of Lymphoma:

There are over 70 different types of lymphoma, ranging from indolent (slow-growing) to very aggressive. Lymphomas are classified into two major groups: non-Hodgkin lymphoma and Hodgkin lymphoma. Both types can occur in children or adults.

Most lymphomas start with two main types of white blood cells called lymphocytes: B lymphocytes (B cells) and T lymphocytes (T cells). Cancer cells can travel to different parts of the body, including the lymph nodes, spleen, bone marrow, blood, or other organs. From there, they can build up and form tumors.

Treatment and chances of cure depend on the type of lymphoma and its stage.

Non-Hodgkin lymphoma:
The most common form of lymphoma is non-Hodgkin lymphoma. It tends to develop in older people. Several types of treatment for non-Hodgkin lymphoma may be used, including chemotherapy, radiation therapy, immunotherapy, targeted therapy, and stem cell transplant.
Hodgkin Lymphoma:
Hodgkin lymphoma is also known as Hodgkin disease. It usually starts in a type of B cell found in the bone marrow. Hodgkin disease is considered one of the most curable forms of cancer, especially if it is diagnosed and treated early. Several types of treatment may be used for Hodgkin lymphoma, including chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and stem cell transplant.

Staging and Grading of Lymphoma:

Lymphoma is usually staged as 1 through 4.

Stages 1 and 2 non-Hodgkin lymphoma are sometimes called early stage (limited or localized lymphoma).
Stages 3 and 4 non-Hodgkin lymphoma are sometimes called advanced lymphoma.

In some situations, a large stage 2 lymphoma is treated as advanced disease.

Symptoms of Lymphoma:

Common Symptoms Include:

Unexplained Fever
Swollen Lymph Nodes, Such as Those in the Neck or Armpits
Swollen Belly
Abnormal Sweating, Especially at Night
Tiredness
Loss of Appetite
Easy Bruising or Bleeding
Weight Loss
Frequent Infections
Cough, Chest Pain, or Difficulty Breathing
Rash or Itching

Causes of Lymphoma:

Exposure to radiation and certain types of chemicals can increase the risk of lymphoma in some people. Benzene and some agricultural chemicals are implicated; People exposed in the workplace, who may be most at risk, should follow occupational health guidelines to minimize exposure. For people with weakened immune systems, exposure to viruses such as Epstein-Barr virus or HIV can also increase the risk of lymphoma.

Lymphoma Risk Factors:

There are several risk factors associated with lymphoma. Some of these increase the risk of developing lymphoma or specific types of lymphoma.

Having one or more risk factors for lymphoma does not mean that you will develop lymphoma. It means that you are slightly more likely to develop lymphoma than someone without risk factors. Even if you have risk factors, the risk of developing lymphoma is generally very low.

Risk factors for lymphoma include:

Age
Sex
Family History
Certain Infections
Weakened Immune System
Autoimmune Diseases
Other Conditions
Possible Additional Factors.

Diagnosis of Lymphoma:

There are several tools to gather complex information about lymphoma to make an accurate diagnosis, including:

During a physical exam, our nurses and hematologists (blood cancer doctors) will ask you about:

Symptoms
How long have they been there?
Personal and family history of cancer
Past exposure to chemicals
Whether you smoke or have smoked
Any medical conditions that may affect your ability to tolerate treatments

They will also look for signs of lymphoma, such as:

Enlarged liver or spleen
Pale skin
Swollen lymph nodes

Blood tests are essential to accurately diagnose this complex disease. These tests can show if you have lymphoma cells or abnormal levels of normal cells:

Blood smear: A drop of blood is taken and examined under a microscope. Our pathologists are experts at identifying abnormal blood cells that may indicate lymphoma. A pathologist can also determine if the cells are Hodgkin or non-Hodgkin cells.
Complete blood count (CBC): A complete blood count (CBC) measures red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets.
Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR): The ESR is the rate at which red blood cells settle to the bottom of a tube. It is a way to measure the amount of inflammation in the body.
Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH): This test detects a protein released by damaged cells.
Other blood tests: Blood tests can also measure chemicals that show how well organs such as the liver and kidneys are working. This can help determine whether lymphoma has spread to those parts of the body. Testing for certain viruses: Your doctor may test you for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and hepatitis B. These are risk factors for lymphoma and can affect treatment.

To perform a bone marrow biopsy, a specialist uses a long, thin needle to remove a small sample of bone marrow. The sample usually comes from the hip bone. Expert pathologists in our lab examine the cells for lymphoma.

The doctor examines the lymph nodes to check for cells in the lymphatic system that cause lymphoma. A specialist removes part or all of a lymph node for testing. Many lymph nodes are close to the surface of the skin, so the procedure is usually simple.

Blood cancer pathologists examine the tissue under a microscope. The results will determine if you have lymphoma and what type.

The hematologist may also order imaging tests to determine how far the lymphoma has spread in the body. Tests can also detect infections or other problems. Imaging tests include X-rays, computed tomography (or CT) scans, magnetic resonance imaging (or MRI), ultrasounds, and positron emission tomography (or PET) scans.

Treatment Options:

Lymphoma treatments can vary depending on the type of lymphoma you have, how far it has spread (its stage), and whether you have symptoms. Lymphoma treatments include:

Chemotherapy
Radiation Therapy
Targeted Therapies.

If you have slow-growing lymphoma, you may not need treatment right away, and some people never need treatment. This is called watch and wait.

Lymphoma treatments can have side effects. Some people experience some of these side effects because of the lymphoma itself, even if they do not receive treatment.

Lymphoma Prevention:

Because lymphoma affects the immune system, there are steps you can take to prevent it, such as reducing your risk of getting infections and making lifestyle changes that help maintain a healthy immune system. You can also reduce your risk by:

Staying physically active.
Eat a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.
Avoiding foods like processed meats and sugary drinks.
Avoiding tobacco.
Avoiding known risk factors for HIV, such as intravenous drug use or unprotected sex with partners whose HIV status is unknown.
Maintaining a healthy weight (body mass index less than 25).
Drinking alcohol in moderation or not at all.

Research and New Developments:

Here is list of Some Research and New Developments in Lymphoma:

CAR-T Cell Therapy: Personalized T-cell modification to target lymphoma cells.
Checkpoint Inhibitors: Immunotherapy drugs like pembrolizumab and nivolumab.
BTK Inhibitors: Targeted therapies, e.g., ibrutinib, disrupting lymphoma growth.
BCL-2 Inhibitors: Venetoclax for certain lymphoma types.
Genomic Profiling: Precision medicine based on genetic mutations.
Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS): Advanced lymphoma genome analysis.
Improved Stem Cell Transplants: Safer autologous/allogeneic and cord blood transplants.
Combination Therapies: Mixing chemo, immuno, and targeted therapies.
Novel Biomarkers: Research on liquid biopsies for early detection.
Lymphoma Vaccines: Experimental vaccines to prevent relapse.
Bispecific Antibodies: Drugs like mosunetuzumab and glofitamab in trials.