What is non-Hodgkin's lymphoma?

Lymphoma is a type of cancer of lymph nodes, it has many manifestations, and, therefore, requires a variety of approaches to treatment. In medicine, it is common to divide lymphomas into two large groups: Hodgkin's lymphomas and non-Hodgkin's lymphomas. Hodgkin's lymphoma (otherwise lymphogranulomatosis) refers to well-studied and fairly common variants of malignant disease. It manifests itself in the formation of specific cells of the "Berezovsky-Sternberg-Read" and in the increase in lymph nodes.

Types of non-Hodgkin's lymphomas

Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma represents a huge group of diseases with different clinical manifestations, the above-named cells do not participate in its formation. This tumor can develop on any organ, but its main clinical manifestation is enlarged lymph nodes. Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma is of two types: B-cell and T-cell. All non-Hodgkin's lymphomas are formed from the cells of the immune system (B- and T-lymphocytes) and have a negative effect on the lymph nodes. Since these cells are actively moving, by the time the diagnosis is established, almost the whole organism is infected. It's no secret that most non-Hodgkin's lymphomas are diagnosed at later stages, however, according to experts, lymphomas are perfectly treatable.

Diagnosis of non-Hodgkin's lymphomas

Non-Hodgkin's lymphomas occur in different forms, they are usually distinguished by the nature of the disease and by the time of development. There are forms that for a long time do not require medical intervention, but there are also those who at the initial stage of the disease behave aggressively enough. That is why they are usually divided into sluggish, aggressive and highly aggressive. In some cases, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma can affect blood and bone marrow, a form of the tumor called leukemia or leukemia. Sometimes such a lymphoma is called a liquid tumor, which is initially formed in the bone marrow. However, blood and bone marrow can be affected not only by liquid tumors, but also by those that develop on internal organs or lymph nodes.

Rare species of non-Hodgkin's lymphomas

Lymphoma of the stomach is very rare and its diagnosis is extremely complicated, sometimes the patient may not have any symptoms at all. Most often this disease is confused with some benign tumors. Sometimes, primary stomach lymphoma is characterized by vomiting and pain syndrome in the epigastrium, weight may also decrease and anemia may develop. Most often this disease is diagnosed at later stages, when the symptoms are already evident, as well as mediastinal lymphoma.

Treatment of non-Hodgkin's lymphomas

Treatment of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma will depend on a number of factors: from the type of lymphoma, the stage of the disease, the size of the tumor, the features of the course of the disease, and the state of the body's immune system. Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma is well treatable in two ways: chemotherapy and radiation therapy. There is another direction in the treatment of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma - this is a treatment with new class drugs ( monoclonal antibody therapy ). One of the drugs of this group of Rituakimab is very effective even in the aggressive form of the tumor, while the antibodies attack and destroy the tumor-like cells in the body. Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma is well served by combined chemotherapy, as different drugs can affect tumor cells in different ways.

Experts know many cases when patients with lymphoma have lived a long and happy life, but they were under the supervision of an oncologist. Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma is not a verdict, it's one of the reasons to take a closer look at your body and reconsider your way of life.