Lymphoma is a pathology of lymphatic tissue of an oncological nature that affects the internal organs or lymph nodes. It is characterized by uncontrolled excessive accumulation of leukocytes. The lymphatic system is the vascular system of the body, consisting of lymph nodes, vessels and the spleen, through which lymph circulates through the body, and with it the white blood cells - lymphocytes. It serves to activate immunity at the right time and delivers cells of the immune system to the affected area, mainly lymphocytes.
The essence of pathology
Like any other tumor, lymphoma occurs when the body non-stop producing cells in excess, thereby causing a malignant neoplasm. With lymphoma, the multiplying cells are the same lymphocytes. Lymphoma is classified into 2 groups: Hodgkin's disease (scientifically - lymphogranulomatosis) and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL). Malignant formations of the lymph nodes occupy 5th place among all tumors, yielding to cancer of the prostate, lung, breast and colon.
Symptomatic manifestations
The very first symptom of lymphoma is swollen lymph nodes in areas of the body such as the groin, neck, armpits, or stomach. At the same time, swelling is completely painless. There may be a feeling of fullness in the abdomen, pressure in the face, on the neck, in the back, it may become more difficult to breathe or move in a certain way.
Other, no less problematic symptoms of lymphoma:
- sweating, especially at night;
- pain in the head, back, chest, or abdomen;
- lethargy, drowsiness, fatigue;
- nausea, vomiting;
- very obvious weight loss;
- itchy skin;
- temperature.
If there are signs that can be classified as symptoms of lymphoma, in particular swelling on the neck or other parts of the body, you should immediately consult a doctor, because in the advanced stages the chances of recovery are significantly reduced.
Diagnostic measures
The diagnosis of lymphoma can be made based on the results of the following procedures:
- Medical examination. Based on the symptoms and other characteristic signs, a specialist can indicate the presence of the disease often and without the help of any diagnostic devices.
- General and biochemical blood tests. According to the results of these analyzes, it is actually impossible to firmly make a diagnosis, but by observing other characteristic indicators that are indirect, certain conclusions can be drawn.
- A biopsy is considered one of the preferred diagnostic methods. According to the results of a biopsy, one can judge the morphological and immunological characteristics of the pathology. During the procedure, part of the tissue is removed surgically for a deeper further study.
- Radiation diagnostics. Radiography, MRI, computer diagnostics make it possible to clearly identify areas of affected tissue that cannot be seen during an external examination. The method is used to determine at what stage the tumor is.
When a woman is diagnosed with lymphoma in a position, methods that do not harm the child are used. This is an ultrasound scan and magnetic resonance imaging.
Classification of lymphomas by type
In addition to the composition, lymphomas are also grouped by the speed of spread and the general course of the disease. By classifying the types of lymphomas in this way, it is better to prescribe a course of treatment for each patient. Some subtypes of lymphoma are characterized by slow progression and the absence of serious symptoms. Such a favorable course of the disease is called indolent and often does not require treatment in the early stages of development.
Other names for lymphomas are known for the transience of their harmful progression and a large number of symptoms. Classification of lymphomas of this nature is regarded as aggressive and requires prompt medical attention.
Lymphomas with symptoms from both categories are also found. In the classic case, lymphoma primarily affects lymphocytes in the lymph nodes, causing them to uncontrollably increase in number and thereby form a tumor. However, sometimes there are lymphomas that do not lead to an increase in lymph nodes, but affect some other organs. It can be the stomach, spleen, lungs, brain, intestines. Lymphomas with these characteristics are called extranodal.
The above categories are types of Hodgkin lymphoma and non-Hodgkin lymphomas.
Stage lymphoma
Like any other cancer, lymphoma has its stages. Knowledge of the classification of lymphoma according to the stage of the disease plays a key role in its healing, since it is the information on what stage the patient is at is the main indicator for determining the further course of treatment. The methods and clinical methods for treating the initial (local) and common stages usually differ significantly.
In medical practice, in accordance with the generally accepted classification of lymphomas, pathology is divided into 4 stages. The letter A or B is also attached to the stage number. These letters indicate the presence or absence of three main symptoms in a person suffering from lymphoma, which are usually found in patients with this pathology: weight loss, night sweats and fever attacks. When using the letter A, it is understood that the patient does not suffer from the above symptoms, and if the letter B is attributed, then this means that the three above-mentioned symptoms are present in the patient.
In modern classical medicine, groups 1 and 2 are considered local (primary, local), and the remaining 3 and 4 are common. As a rule, the initial stages of development of lymphomas are relatively easily treatable, and sometimes do not require treatment at all, while in the later stages the disease becomes many times more dangerous and more difficult to treat.
Characterization of the disease by stages
So, a staged disease is classified as follows:
- The first stage - only one part of the lymphatic system suffers from lymphoma.
- The second stage - two or more lymph nodes located on one side of the diaphragm are involved in the lymphoma process. (diaphragmatic-muscular septum separating the chest cavity from the abdominal cavity).
- The third stage - the disease covers the lymph nodes on both sides of the diaphragm (i.e., it is not limited only to the region of the lungs or only to the stomach).
- The fourth stage - the disease covers not only the lymph nodes, but also the internal organs: lungs, stomach, heart, brain, intestines, etc.
Hodgkin's lymphoma
Hodgkin's lymphoma is a malignant pathology of lymphoid tissue (it is also called lymphogranulomatosis in another way). A characteristic feature of this disease is the presence of huge Reed-Berezovsky-Sternberg cells, which can only be detected by microscopic examination of the affected lymph nodes. This does not mean that the disease cannot be diagnosed differently. The clinical classification of Hodgkin's lymphoma is based on the availability of these cells. Most often, the disease occurs in people at a young age.
Risk factors
It is still not exactly established what exactly causes the disease. Typically, Hodgkin's lymphoma is found in people who have already had an immunodeficiency illness (such as HIV), or a condition triggered by medications that cause immunodeficiency (such as organ transplantation). Epstein-Barr infection (mononucleosis) is also attributed to factors that can cause this ailment.
Hodgkin's lymphoma treatment
Currently, medicine makes very positive predictions about the recovery from this disease. In some cases, the tumor does not enlarge. Such lymphoma can be classified as non-hazardous and not require treatment at all. A regular oncologist examination may be sufficient.
The choice of treatment depends on the symptoms and the prevalence of the disease. Most often, specialists resort to a separate or complex drug or radiation therapy. In case of worsening symptoms, it is possible to turn to biological drugs and stem cell transplants.
In fact, if you miss the opportunity to treat Hodgkin’s lymphoma in the early stages, the rest of the treatment will methodologically coincide with the treatment of non-Hodgkin’s lymphomas (adjusted for the unique moments of treatment for each patient, of course).
WHO (World Health Organization) classification of non-Hodgkin lymphomas
Non-Hodgkin lymphomas are a heterogeneous (heterogeneous) group of tumor formations arising from various types of lymphoid tissue cells and differing in a number of immunological, clinical, cytomorphological and molecular genetic characters. Classification of non-Hodgkin lymphomas is essential. There are many subspecies of the pathology (about thirty) that differ from each other in symptoms, composition, and, therefore, treatment methods.
WHO classification of lymphomas for 2008 (incomplete, for reference):
- B-cell tumors from precursor cells of B-lymphocytes.
- B-cell tumors from peripheral (mature) B-lymphocytes.
- T and EC cell tumors from progenitor cells of T lymphocytes.
- T-cell lymphomas from peripheral (mature) T-lymphocytes.
Treatment principles
The main method of treating lymphomas of the non-Hodgins classification (and not only) is chemotherapy. Chemotherapy - treatment of infectious or neoplastic diseases by interacting on damaged areas with chemicals. This method is considered the most effective and applies to all lymphomas, regardless of whether they are classified as malignant or benign lymphomas.
Also, as an addition, the patient is often subjected to radiation therapy (x-ray therapy, telegammotherapy, electrotherapy, etc.) along with chemotherapy. This method involves electromagnetic radiation or emits bundles of elementary nuclear particles that burn out tumor cells, thereby killing or at least delaying their growth and reproduction.
Another interesting and very effective method of combating lymphoma is biological therapy (immunotherapy) - a completely new, but at the same time very promising method that has already proved its usefulness and potential. This method is noteworthy in that the medications taken do not directly combat pathology, but rather stimulate the biological mechanisms of the body to solve this problem. With lymphoma, such a course is used that the body slows down the self-reproduction of lymphocytes, thereby stopping the growth of the tumor. Currently, the method is used along with chemical and radiation therapies.
Surgical intervention will not help cure the disease, since non-Hodgkin's lymphoma is a disease that constantly develops from other areas of infection. Chemotherapy is almost always the main course of treatment.