Lymphoma

Disease information

Overview
Causes
and Symptoms
Treatment

Overview

Lymphoma is a type of blood cancer that starts in cells of the body's immune system, specifically the lymphatic system. This system includes the lymph nodes (small, bean-shaped structures that produce and store cells that fight infection and disease), lymphatic vessels (similar to veins and capillaries but carry a clear fluid called lymph), lymphocytes (type of white blood cell), spleen, tonsils, thymus, and bone marrow. What sets lymphoma apart is that, although it starts in the blood cells, it often forms a painless lump or mass, much like solid tumors do. This is because lymphoma cells often group together to form a mass in a lymph node. Lymphoma is generally classified into two main types: Hodgkin's lymphoma and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Each of these types has several subtypes, making the variety of lymphomas quite diverse.

Cause and Symptoms

While the exact causes of lymphoma aren't fully understood, certain factors have been identified that may increase the risk of developing the disease. These include :

Genetic factors
Viral infection In some lymphoma, it can develop through the abnormal regulation of Epstein-Barr virus, human T-lymphocyte virus (HTLV-1) or HIV, or chronic hepatitis C virus; among bacteria, MALT (mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue) lymphoma by Helicobacter is a typical one.
Immune system deficiency It includes organ transplant or AIDS, congenital immunodeficiency syndrome, and autoimmune disease. The development of lymphoma has increased in patients receiving immunosuppressant treatment after solid organ transplantation (liver, kidney, lung, heart). In the case of autoimmune disease, Sjogren syndrome, lupus, and rheumatoid arthritis are typically related to lymphoma.
Previous high-dose chemotherapy due to solid tumors

The most common and important symptom is a lump that gradually becomes bigger without pain in a normally recognized lymph node.
An enlarged lymph node can be recognized by hand at the neck, groin, and armpit.

Symptoms of lymphoma
- a.
  High fever of over 38’C without clear cause for more than 6 months
- b.
  Drenching cold sweat at night
- c.
  Weight loss
The following local symptoms also frequently develop according to the area invaded by lymphoma
- a.
  Bone marrow invasion: anemia, leukocytopenia, or thrombocytopenia
- b.
  Brain and spinal cord invasion: nausea, vomit, headache
- c.
  Intra-abdominal cavity invasion: abdominal distention due to intestinal obstruction, constipation, or jaundice

Treatment

Chemotherapy
Radiation therapy
Targeted therapy
Autologous Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation after High-dose Chemotherapy for Cancer
Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation
Immunotherapy Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors, CAR-T Cell Therapy

▲ Treatment Process