What is Lymphoma?
Heterogeneous forms of cancer resulting from the expanding clonal population of lymphocytes are called lymphomas. It accounts for about 5 percent of cancers. The predicted overall survival rate is 72%. The body’s immune system, which fights diseases and germs, includes the lymphatic system. When healthy cells in the lymphatic system alter and increase out of control, lymphoma develops.
Etiology
Lymphoma is a condition influenced by environmental, infectious, and genetic factors. Factors include occupational exposure to herbicides and pesticides, exposure to infectious organisms like Helicobacter pylori, Borrelia burgdorferi, Chlamydia psittaci, Campylobacter jejuni, and human herpesvirus 8.
Chronic lymphoid tissue stimulation and persistent infection with viruses also increase the risk. Immunodeficiency, drugs, and autoimmune diseases also contribute to the risk.
Types of Lymphoma
Hodgkin lymphoma and non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) are the two major forms. It is frequently possible to cure Hodgkin lymphoma. The form of NHL affects the prognosis.
What is its impact on women?
In women, some lymphoma symptoms could go unnoticed, particularly if they affect the reproductive system. Symptoms such as pelvic discomfort or pressure, abnormal bleeding in the uterus, Dyspareunia, or painful sex.
Early Symptoms of Lymphoma in Females
- Sweats during the night.
- Feeling itchy.
- Painless enlargement of lymph nodes in the groin, armpits, neck, or abdomen.
- Chest, abdominal, or bone pain.
- Unintentional weight loss
Diagnosis
Lymphoma diagnosis is confirmed through tissue biopsy, and further evaluation involves determining the tissue with the highest disease activity. PET/CT scans measure the biological activity of lymphoma, and clinical staging is performed before therapy. Whole-body PET/CT imaging is preferred over CT, and bone marrow biopsy is often performed. In high-risk cases, cerebrospinal fluid testing may be used. Antigen-specificity for B and T-cells is defined by cell-surface receptors, B-cell receptors, or T-cell receptors. Malignancy or clonality in B-cell lymphomas is determined by immunohistochemical staining for light chains.
What are the “Reed-Sternberg cells”?
Reed-Sternberg cells are big, atypical lymphocytes that can have many nuclei. Those who have Hodgkin lymphoma have these cells. Hodgkin and Reed-Sternberg cells are alternative names for Reed-Sternberg cells.
Complications of Lymphoma Treatment
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HL Complications:
Paraneoplastic syndromes: limbic encephalitis, cerebellar degeneration.
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NHL complications:
Transformation of indolent lymphomas into aggressive NHL.
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Chemotherapy Complications:
Pancytopenias, sterility, cardiomyopathy, pneumonitis, neuropathy, and second primary malignancies.
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Radiotherapy Complications:
Accelerated atherosclerosis, pericardial fibrosis, second primary cancers, and hypothyroidism.
Treatment Options for Lymphoma
- Monoclonal antibodies, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy are available forms of treatment.
- Surgery that can successfully remove early malignancies of the breast, colon, and several other organs is ineffective against lymphoma. If the lymphoma has returned or there is a high chance of recurrence in the future, a stem cell transplant with intense chemotherapy may be necessary.
- Chemotherapy and radiation therapy are used to treat early-stage Hodgkin’s lymphoma. For larger locations that are unresponsive, radiation therapy can be necessary.
- Localized radiation therapy alone or radiation therapy combined with chemotherapy can be used to treat some non-Hodgkin lymphoma patients.
- Chemotherapy is typically started immediately for a successful course of treatment if the NHL is rapidly developing.
Read Also: Early Signs of Leukemia in Blood Work
Summary
A hematologist is typically involved in lymphoma care, but an inter-professional team of specialists, including nurses, radiologists, pathologists, and surgeons, is crucial.
References:
Jamil, A., & Mukkamalla, S. K. R. (2023). Lymphoma. In StatPearls. Treasure Island, FL: StatPearls Publishing. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK560826/.
Lewis, W. D., Lilly, S., & Jones, K. L. (2020). Lymphoma: Diagnosis and Treatment. American Family Physician, 101(1), 34–41.
Matasar, M. J., & Zelenetz, A. D. (2008). Overview of lymphoma diagnosis and management. Radiologic clinics of North America, 46(2), 175–vii. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rcl.2008.03.005.
