When patients are diagnosed with lymphoma, most of their usual response would be, “What is lymphoma? Why do I have it?” The name alone arouses the interest and fear of many, since it is one of the most common types of cancer in the United States.
To fully understand what lymphoma is, you must first know where it starts. Lymphoma is a malignant neoplasm or cancer in the lymphatic system. The lymphatic system is responsible for fighting infection and is an important part of your body’s immune system. The lymphatic system is made up of lymph, lymph nodes, lymphatic vessels, spleen, bone marrow, and liver. Lymph is the fluid of the lymphatic system and carries lymphocytes that fight microorganisms or pathogens that invade the body. The lymphocytes accumulate in a lymph node, which is the stage where they would fight the microorganism. To reach a part of the body, the lymph travels through a system of tunnels or passageways called lymphatic vessels. Once the pathogens are filtered out and destroyed, the lymph now travels to the spleen, which is the storage for dead blood cells and lymphocytes, as well as pathogens. The dead cells are now carried to the liver to be broken down and the byproduct is excreted through the kidneys or large intestine. The bone marrow is part of the lymphatic system as a production area for lymphocytes.
Malignancy in lymphoma begins in lymphocytes, particularly B cells or T cells. Lymphoma is classified into two types: Hodgkin’s lymphoma and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. The main difference between the two is that in Hodgkin’s lymphoma there is the presence of Reed-Sternberg cells within the malignant lymphocytes. How and why malignancy begins in lymphoma is unknown, but the mutation of lymphocytes is thought to be related to an immunocompromised state, such as the presence of viral infections (i.e., HIV/AIDS, Epstein-Barr virus ), use of immunotherapy. suppressive drugs and radiation therapy during cancer treatment. These malignant cells will accumulate in a lymph node and form a lymph node larger than 2 cm in size, rubbery and painless. Other symptoms of lymphoma include night sweats, unexplained weight loss and fever, enlarged spleen and liver, and anorexia.
Research is still being done to understand what lymphoma is. Until now, traditional cancer treatments such as chemotherapy and radiation therapy are being used to help fight the malignancy. Bone marrow transplantation is performed when the malignancy is in an advanced stage and as a last resort to combat the disease. If you suspect lymphoma, contact your doctor for a definitive diagnosis and treatment to manage your condition.
