Lymphoma Cancer

What is Lymphoma Cancer?

Lymphoma cancer is a type of cancer that originates in the lymphocytes. Lymphoma cancer is a term that refers to a variety of different cancers that affect the lymphatic system, with the two most common being Hodgkin’s lymphoma and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. The lymphatic system in the human body works to filter out bacteria in the body, which is a necessity in order to prevent disease. Like other types of cancer, lymphoma cancer occurs when abnormal cells multiply and spread to other parts of the body. The type of lymphoma cancer is determined by the type of cell that multiplies as well as how the cancer presents itself in the body.

Lymphoma Cancer Statistics

Lymphoma is one of the most curable cancers around, and the five-year survival rate is greater than 80% in the United States. About 70,000 individuals are diagnosed with lymphoma cancer each year; with the majority of the cases being non-Hodgkin’s related. The statistics between men and women are pretty similar, with only 6000 more men being diagnosed with lymphoma cancer each year. Many people live with lymphoma in remission for many years after their treatment, and there are only about 20,000 lymphoma related deaths each year. There are currently over 400,000 people living in the United States that have been diagnosed and treated for lymphoma cancer.

Causes of Lymphoma Cancer

Like many other types of cancer, the exact cause of lymphoma is still unknown. However, there are many risk factors that contribute to the development of lymphoma, and many of them are uncontrollable. The risk of lymphoma cancer generally increases with age, and the elderly usually have a poorer prognosis than younger patients. Also, patients with history of infections such as HIV or hepatitis are also at increased risk. Medical conditions that compromise the immune system can also increase the risk for lymphoma, as well as many other medical conditions and cancers. Exposure to toxic chemicals such as pesticides or solvents has shown a link to the development of lymphoma, as well as black hair dye that can be purchased at local drug stores. Genetics also plays a role in the development of many cancers, and lymphoma is no exception. These risk factors and many more can contribute to the development of lymphoma cancer, but do not mean that a person will actually develop the cancer.

Symptoms of Lymphoma Cancer

The most common symptom of lymphoma cancer is swollen lymph nodes, and the location of the swollen glands differs between Hodgkin’s related and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma cancer. Some body parts, such as the arms or legs, can also become swollen from the glands putting pressure on major veins and muscles. Abdominal pain from a swollen spleen is also very common, although many patients report never experiencing any symptoms. Some other symptoms of lymphoma cancer include night sweats, chills, fever, lack of energy, itching, and unexplained sudden weight loss. The symptoms associated with lymphoma are very common among many other illnesses, but should trigger caution when they are persistent over a long period of time.

Treatment for Lymphoma Cancer

When lymphoma cancer is diagnosed early, it is most commonly treated with radiation therapy. Chemotherapy is also used in conjunction with radiation for more advanced stages of the cancer, but chemotherapy is used alone when the disease is in its final stages. Many oncologists also prescribe prescription medications in order to help fight the cancer, many of which have the same effect as chemotherapy. The medications vary from patient to patient depending on how far the cancer has advanced, as well as past medical history and current medications.

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