One of the most dangerous oncological diseases known to modern medicine is Hodgkin's lymphoma. Malignant processes affect the lymphatic system. The disease got its name on the initiative of the WHO in 2001, but cancer itself was described back in 1832. It was in honor of the author of those works, the English doctor Hodgkin, that the disease was named. Alternative names - granuloma, lymphogranulomatosis.
Basic information
Hodgkin's lymphoma is an oncological disease in which the nodes of the lymphatic system grow. Atypical cells, lymphocytes accumulate in these places. The progress of pathology is accompanied by a failure of division, the maturation of beta-lymphocytes capable of producing antibodies. Atypical neoplasms can penetrate the bloodstream, spread throughout the body, they accumulate in different parts of the body. As soon as a new area of the body becomes infected, division processes lead to the appearance of another neoplasm.
A feature of Hodgkin's lymphoma is localization in a system that covers the entire human body, since there are nodes in a variety of areas of the body. From medical statistics it is known that most often neoplasms are observed in the field of reproductive and respiratory organs, bones.
Types and classification
Doctors divide all cases into five large groups. Most often, nodular sclerosis occurs . Hodgkin's lymphoma in this form in a predominant percentage of cases is well treated. The course is estimated as relatively favorable.
A somewhat less common form is lymphocytic. It is known from medical practice that most patients have a high chance of recovery.
If a person suffers from immunodeficiency syndrome, there is a risk that he will develop a Hodgkin mixed cell type. It occurs somewhat less frequently than the two types described above, proceeds aggressively. Modern approaches to therapy are relatively ineffective, so the disease can be treated with great difficulty.
In old age there is a risk of detecting lymphocytic depletion. It is known from statistics that such a malignant process is more often found only closer to the tragic end - at the fourth or even fifth stage.
Finally, the fifth variety is Hodgkin's nodular lymphoma with a predominance of lymphoid processes. Among patients with this disease, significantly more men. Up to 80% of cases can be detected in the first stage, the maximum is in the second. If the disease is detected early, there are certain chances for a successful cure.
How to notice?
Symptoms of Hodgkin lymphoma include proliferation of lymph nodes. The easiest way to notice this is in the inguinal region, on the neck and in the armpits. At the very beginning, the pathology is similar to the appearance of foci of inflammation. The patient is disturbed:
- heat;
- sweating, worse at night;
- weight loss for no apparent reason;
- weakness, fatigue;
- itching of the skin;
- soreness under the ribs on the right or left.
Patients feel overwhelmed; they don’t even have the strength to do things that used to be usual before.
Symptoms of Hodgkin's lymphoma include an increased concentration of white blood cells in the circulatory system. If the primary manifestations were ignored, a strong pain syndrome in the bones gradually joins. The cancer process produces metastases found in a wide variety of tissues and organs. As the lymph nodes grow, they put pressure on the organic structures nearby. This causes specific symptoms:
- dry cough;
- dyspnea;
- back pain;
- tingling in the heart;
- spotting when coughing.
To clarify what kind of disease it is (Hodgkin's lymphoma or something else), a number of analyzes, laboratory and instrumental studies are done. Tissue samples are taken for biopsy. The described disease is diagnosed if specific Reid-Sternberg cells are detected in the materials.
Features of the disease
At the moment, doctors do not know what are the causes of Hodgkin's lymphoma. Scientific research on this issue has been carried out for several years, but reliable, confirmed information has not yet been obtained. This significantly complicates the formulation of the risk group, therefore, the primary manifestations of the disease should be known to everyone, without exception, in order to raise the alarm in time and come to the doctor for an examination in order to establish the symptoms of which disease is bothering.
At the initial stage of Hodgkin's lymphoma, swelling appears in the area of the lymph nodes. These areas are given in pain. If this phenomenon worries, then it is time to go to the doctor for a detailed analysis. More often, swelling forms in the perineum, axillary fossa, and neck.
In some cases, the disease manifests itself:
- abdominal pain;
- tumors in the abdomen.
Explaining to the patient what kind of disease this is - Hodgkin’s lymphoma, the doctor will tell you that often at first it occurs without any pronounced symptoms. You can easily confuse cancer and the common cold with which patients come to the therapist if ARI cannot be cured with the usual means for a long time. If the doctor directs you to specialized examinations, it is important to pass them as soon as possible - the sooner the pathology can be established, the better the patient's prospects.
Diagnostics
If there is a suspicion of Hodgkin's lymphoma in adults, children, the doctor examines the patient, compiles a list of all health complaints, examines the medical history, and directs him to an X-ray. Pathology is not inherited, it is impossible to contract lymphoma from a patient.
The final conclusion can only be drawn up on the basis of a biopsy. The event is carried out under local anesthesia. Using a small needle, tissue samples are extracted from the patient's body. Material must be taken from the swollen lymph node. To control the procedure, you must use a computer tomograph.
As can be seen from the reviews compiled by experts, Hodgkin's lymphoma can be established only if a biopsy is performed according to all the rules. The options are as follows:
- deleting the entire node or its element;
- obtaining tissue samples through a wide needle;
- use of a thin needle.
If the diagnosis is confirmed, additional studies are prescribed to determine the stage of Hodgkin's lymphoma. 4 (5 according to some less common classifications), of course, has a worse prognosis for treatment, but only a nascent disease is likely to be cured.
To clarify the condition, appoint:
- CT
- MRI
- X-ray;
- bone marrow biopsy;
- ultrasound;
- blood study.
Stages of development
Of course, the worst option is the detection of Hodgkin's lymphoma in 4 stages. To understand what this means, one should be guided by what signs the case is considered to be one or another step.
At the first stage, the cancer is localized in the group of lymph nodes located nearby. These can be nodes in the perineum on one side or on the neck, but also only on one side.
If at the same time two groups of lymph nodes are involved in the process or the disease has gone further, but all localization sites are either above the diaphragm or below it, the case is referred to the second stage.
The third stage is said to be if atypical cells are simultaneously located in the lymph nodes above the diaphragm and below it.
The most difficult case, which means the worst prognosis, is Hodgkin’s fourth stage lymphoma. At the same time, atypical cells are present not only in the lymphatic system, but also spread throughout the internal organs, infected bone tissue.
Classification and manifestations
In some patients, fever begins at night, sweating is activated, weight decreases sharply. In this case, they say that the case belongs to the category “A”. The second option, class "B", is diagnosed if the listed symptoms are absent.
It is known that the disease can develop in both an adult and a child. There are two options: the classic scenario or nodular sclerosis. Hodgkin lymphoma in both cases is an extremely dangerous disease. It is more likely to develop if the patient is already infected with the Epstein-Barr virus.
It is known that lymphoma is more often found in boys over the age of five, but younger than fourteen. If the child’s brother or sister is sick with lymphoma, the baby is more likely to develop it. Manifestations of the disease in children and adults do not differ.
What to do?
Treatment of Hodgkin's lymphoma is determined by the form, type of disease, stage at which it was found. Much depends on the well-being of the patient, the presence of other pathologies. The main goal of the therapeutic course is absolute remission, that is, a complete victory over the symptoms and signs. If it is impossible to achieve this state, partial remission is established, when it is possible to take the tumor under control, to prevent harm to other tissues and organs.
The treatment of Hodgkin lymphoma is a complex of methods:
- medicines
- radiotherapy;
- surgery.
If it was possible to detect the disease at the very beginning of its development, radiation and chemotherapy will be sufficient. In later cases, immunotherapy is additionally required. Using irradiation can effectively destroy atypical formations in the affected organic tissues. All areas where, as the doctors suggest, have cancers are irradiated.
Chemotherapy consists in the use of drugs that can inhibit the vital activity of atypical cells. Some medications are available in tablet form; others are for injective use. To improve the prognosis, several drugs have to be combined. A specific program is chosen by a professional, evaluating the features of the case.
Immunotherapy is the administration of drugs to stabilize the state of the immune system.
Sometimes folk recipes are used. They cannot be called the main treatment, but such formulations, being successfully selected, can stimulate the immune system and somewhat improve the patient's condition. Of course, they cannot replace the main course.
A well-chosen program can prevent the recurrence of Hodgkin lymphoma.
Alternative methods against cancer
Healers and healers can offer several recipes that can alleviate the condition of the patient with Hodgkin's lymphoma. The photo below demonstrates what the plant looks like from which the most effective preparations are made - this is aloe vera, which is widespread in our country. Syrup is prepared on its juice, it is used for food. The drug is harmless, strengthens the immune system, increases the body's resistance to various pathological agents, prevents repeated diseases against the background of a weakening of natural protection.
It is believed that viburnum decoctions will benefit. For cooking, not only berries are used, but also branches of a tree. Useful infusion on calendula inflorescences. For a couple of spoonfuls of petals, take two glasses of boiling water, insist for at least 30 minutes and eat. You can replace the usual teas with calendula infusion.
Many healers are convinced that with cancer, an indispensable element of treatment is chaga, a birch mushroom. The greatest effect will be from its use in food at the beginning of the disease. It is believed that the product can slow the growth of atypical cells, relieve pain. Infusion on the chaga is used before meals three times daily. Dosage - a tablespoon.
Disease: is it defeated?
From statistics it is known that many patients with Hodgkin's lymphoma experience relapses of the disease. As the therapeutic course is completed, the patient is registered. Have to regularly come to the clinic for examination by a professional. If the malignant processes are suddenly activated again, the doctor will be able to notice this at an early stage, and therefore take adequate measures. The faster the relapse was established, the better the prognosis.
Currently, it is believed that with successfully defeated Hodgkin's lymphoma, examinations are needed once every two months. With half the frequency of the patient do computed tomography. These measures allow you to keep the condition under control.
Power Features
To increase your chances, you should eat right. With Hodgkin's lymphoma, dairy products are indicated, and most of all, dairy products. Have to give up:
- oily;
- fried;
- sweets;
- salty dishes.
An absolute ban is imposed on alcohol, soda, instant food.
To support the body's defenses, you need to ensure the influx of vitamins and minerals with food. For this, the diet will have to be diversified with an abundance of fresh fruits and vegetables.
The patient is shown cereals and soups, oats and buckwheat, beets and garlic. It is recommended to cook with the addition of cheese and carrots.
Thorough treatment is the key to success
The classic approach to eliminating the disease is a combination of chemotherapy and radiation, although in some cases one method is enough. To make the course as effective as possible, but bring the patient as little inconvenience as possible, a group of doctors of different specialties is working on the preparation of the program. A team of highly qualified specialists can create an optimized, sparing program, taking into account the peculiarities of the case. At the same time, the stage of the disease and the area of localization of atypical cells, the dimensions of the lymph nodes, associated pathologies, and the condition of the patient as a whole are taken into account.
If it was possible to identify the disease at the very beginning, it is quite possible, only radiotherapy will already be enough. In practice, doctors prefer to add a course of chemotherapy even at the onset of the disease to provide a better prognosis. If Hodgkin's lymphoma is detected at a late stage, chemotherapy cannot be dispensed with. Will have to prepare mentally: dosages will be high.
Features of the disease
It was mentioned above that the disease was first described as early as 1832. Initially, scientists believed that there were two peaks of development; the first falls on the age group from 15 years to forty, the second affects people over fifty years of age. Currently, information has been clarified using the most effective drugs, tools and techniques, of which the most significant is immunophenotyping. It was revealed that the disease does not have a second peak or is rather weak, and cases that were previously referred to as Hodgkin’s lymphoma are actually large-cell non-Hodgkin’s.
Previously, Hodgkin's lymphoma was one of incurable diseases. Currently, up to 85% of patients are either cured completely, or achieve a stable remission. For successful therapy, two basic conditions must be met:
- detection of the disease in the initial stage;
- proper selection of a treatment program and strict adherence to it.
Risk group
Scientists believe that the likelihood of developing a malignant process is higher for people whose immune system is weakened. A variety of factors can trigger this:
- HIV infection
- organ transplant surgery;
- drug therapy;
- diseases that depress the immune system.
There is a higher risk of developing oncology against the background of glandular fever caused by the Epstein-Barr virus.
The nuances of the disease
Doctors pay attention: Hodgkin's lymphoma does not develop instantly. In some, the symptomatology becomes relatively pronounced in a month, in others, the condition gradually changes for the worse within six months or even more time. Manifestations of different people are different. In childhood, lymphoma is often disguised as a cold, but there is also a reverse situation when the manifestations of a cold disease are mistaken for atypical cells and refer the patient for a long study.
If a persistent increase in the size of the lymph nodes of the cervical-supraclavicular region is revealed, while the general health is normal, the probability of the oncological process is estimated at 70%. In the study, the nodes show themselves to be mobile, to the touch - elastic, dense. Possible pain in the area, but this condition is not required.
If it was not possible to notice the malignant processes in time, the lymph nodes gradually grow, which leads to the formation of large formations. At this stage, lymphoma almost always manifests itself as quite severe pain. Unpleasant sensations are especially pronounced if you drink alcohol.
There are such cases when Hodgkin’s lymphoma was detected quite by accident during planned fluorography, since the enlarged nodes did not respond with pain and did not bring the patient anxiety, did not pay attention to themselves. They may have already provoked shortness of breath and cough, but patients rarely pay attention to such manifestations. As the situation develops, the overgrown lymph nodes press on the superior vena cava, due to which the face swells and the skin acquires a bluish tint.
Development: many scenarios
Symptoms characteristic of Hodgkin's lymphoma (increased sweating, weight loss, fever) in the initial stages of the disease appear in only 15% of patients. , . , . , . , . . :
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If during the process atypical cells hit the lungs, infiltrates form, cavities appear, cells from the lymph nodes gradually spread to the mediastinum, and the pleural areas become the localization of fluid accumulation.
The defeat of the pleura with lymphoma can be detected by making an x-ray. Atypical cells are found in the liquid during analysis. From the mediastinum, the process can spread to the esophagus, heart tissue, and trachea.
In one case out of five, the process affects bone tissue. The most vulnerable are the sternum, spine, ribs, and hip system. More rarely, atypical cells penetrate the tubular bones. If the disease affects the musculoskeletal system, the patient is worried about severe pain.
Disease progression
With Hodgkin's lymphoma, the spread of degenerate cells to the bone marrow is possible. Such changes are indicated by blood quality: the concentration of leukocytes and platelets decreases. Perhaps anemia. In some, the symptoms of bone marrow damage are absent even when atypical cells have affected this area.
With infection of the liver in the early stages, it is almost impossible to identify this fact due to the increased compensatory capabilities of the organ. If Hodgkin's lymphoma has spread to this area, the liver becomes larger, serum albumin is reduced, phosphatase becomes more active, but all these indicators can be detected only by conducting special studies aimed at confirming or eliminating the fact of liver damage.
Secondary damage to lymphoma is possible in the gastrointestinal tract. Atypical cells are detected in the submucosal layer. The process is not accompanied by the formation of ulcers.
There is a chance of infection of the central nervous system. Studies show that atypical cells can accumulate in the membranes of the spinal cord. This provokes neurological disorders, causes absolute paralysis.
In almost every third patient with Hodgkin's lymphoma, itching of certain areas of the skin, small rashes appear. In some cases, the manifestation is taken for dermatitis. Skin reactions are possible in the area near the enlarged lymph nodes, but reactions can also unpredictably appear in other parts of the body. Itching is quite painful, leading to loss of appetite, sleep disturbance and mental disorders.
Blood tests for Hodgkin 's lymphoma do not show any particular changes. In most, the concentration of leukocytes is close to normal, only in the later stages the number of these cells decreases.