You likely don’t think about your body’s lymphatic system very often – but it plays a critical role in your overall health. The lymphatic system moves lymph fluid throughout your body, filtering, capturing, and destroying bacteria and viruses to stop infections in their tracks. But lymphatic cancer can cause this entire system to malfunction.
Lymphoma, which is cancer that occurs in the lymphatic system, comes in over 70 different forms. And when lymphoma strikes, it can affect your entire body. That’s why it’s important to search online to learn about lymphoma right now.
There are two primary types of lymphoma: Hodgkin’s lymphoma and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. While non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma is the most common kind of this cancer, each case of the disease is different. And while lymphoma is treatable, it all depends on your unique cancer, its stage, and its spread.
Are You At Risk for Lymphoma?
Cancer can appear unexpectedly in any form, and lymphoma is no different. However, doctors aren’t certain what, exactly, causes lymphoma.
It is known, though, that lymphoma begins when a certain kind of white blood cell – a lymphocyte – develops a genetic mutation. That mutation causes the lymphocyte to begin rapidly multiplying, and cancer begins to spread.
In order to assess your specific risk level for lymphoma, doctors can look at factors that may cause you to have higher odds of developing this type of cancer. Common risk factors include:
- Your age. Certain types of lymphoma appear more frequently in young adults, but some affect those aged 55 and older.
- Being a male.
- Living with an impaired immune system or taking medication that suppresses the immune system.
- Having certain infections, including Epstein-Barr or Helicobacter pylori.
If you think you might have these risk factors, talk with your doctor to determine if you need to be concerned about developing lymphoma.
Signs and Symptoms of Lymphoma
When lymphoma begins in the body, it can be difficult to detect its symptoms. Because this cancer targets the immune system, you might not immediately notice anything new or strange. And often, the symptoms of lymphoma can appear to be nothing more than ailments associated with other health conditions.
Warning signs and symptoms of lymphoma often include:
- Swelling in your glands (or lymph nodes).
- A cough.
- Shortness of breath.
- A fever.
- Night sweats.
- Fatigue.
- Unexplained weight loss.
- Itching.
If you’re noticing symptoms like these, make sure to see your doctor. They might be symptoms of a different ailment or illness. But they could also be the first signs of lymphoma. It’s important to see your doctor to get an official diagnosis, which will be critical before any treatment can begin.
How Lymphoma is Treated
Once you’ve been diagnosed with lymphoma, your doctor will be able to determine important details about your unique case of this cancer. It’ll be important to know which kind of lymphoma you have, what stage it’s in, and if the cancer has begun to spread to any other areas of the body.
From there, your treatment plan will be targeted to treat your lymphoma. There are different treatments for Hodgkin’s lymphoma and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
If you have non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, the primary treatments are:
- Chemotherapy, which uses drugs that kill cancerous cells throughout the body.
- Radiation therapy, which uses high-energy rays like X-rays to kill cancerous cells.
- Immunotherapy, which uses drugs and the body’s immune system to attack cancerous cells.
- Targeted therapy, which uses drugs to target lymphoma cells and stop their rapid growth or spread.
If you have Hodgkin’s lymphoma, the primary treatments are:
- Chemotherapy.
- Radiation therapy.
- Immunotherapy.
These different treatments can be used individually or in combination with one another. Your doctor will decide what the best path forward is for your unique situation. Additionally, should these treatments not prove effective, stem cell transplants can also be an option for lymphoma patients. Stem cell transplants are typically used after chemotherapy to replace the stem cells in your bone marrow.
Lymphoma often has a good prognosis. But, like any health condition or type of cancer, catching this disease as early as possible is the best way to achieve a good outcome and regain your full health. When caught early, doctors can begin treating lymphoma earlier and faster.
Keep an eye out for the signs and symptoms of lymphoma, and make sure you understand your risk level for this cancer. These small details can help you detect changes to your health as soon as they happen. And if you’d like to learn more about lymphoma, you can search online for facts, information, and the latest news about lymphoma treatment options.