The lymphatic system is made up of lymph, lymph vessels, lymph nodes, bone marrow, spleen, and liver. Lymph is the fluid that circulates in the lymphatic system and travels through the body through lymphatic vessels. The fluid contains lymphocytes, produced by the bone marrow and spleen, which fight pathogens. These cells filter the blood and collect microorganisms within the lymph nodes. You will notice that during infections, you will have a palpable lump in the neck, under the arms, breasts, and groin. When pathogens are overwhelmed, the toxins and byproducts produced by these cells seep into the liver to be eliminated.
In lymphoma cancer, the problem lies with the lymphocytes, specifically B lymphocytes and T lymphocytes. Hodgkin lymphoma is a type of lymphoma cancer where B lymphocytes have the presence of Reed-Sternberg cells under morphological studies . Non-Hodgkin lymphoma, on the other hand, is a type of lymphoma that occurs without the presence of Reed-Sternberg cells. Malignant cells increase in number and size, resulting in an accumulation of cells within a lymph node. The formed lymph node will be rubbery, painless and shows no signs of disappearing. Lymphoma cancer is also seen with night sweats, unexplained weight loss, and unexplained fever. There are patients diagnosed with lymphoma but still living for more than 5 to 10 years, making this one of the most curable forms of cancer known to man. Tumor biopsy is the definitive way to diagnose lymphoma. Imaging tests like X-rays, CT scans, and MRIs are done along with blood tests to classify the severity of the lymphoma cancer.
Lymphoma cancer treatment may be a form or a combination of radiation therapy and chemotherapy. Radiation therapy is done during the initial stage and is applied only to a local area where the malignancy is seen. When the malignancy has spread to adjacent and distal parts of the body, chemotherapy is used along with immunostimulants and corticosteroids such as prednisone. Lymphoma survival largely depends on the stage at which the lymphoma was diagnosed and the application of appropriate treatment. Always keep up your regular checkup to see if your treatment is right for you and to monitor how your lymphoma cancer is progressing.