2023-09-14 19:00:08
Lymphoma is a cancer of the lymphatic system which, depending on its type, affects people aged 20 to 40 or over 60. Certain symptoms are particularly evocative.
Summary
Lymphoma is cancer of the lymphatic system, the circulatory system composed of lymphatic vessels. World Lymphoma Day takes place every year on September 15. The opportunity to raise awareness among the general public regarding this cancer diagnosed in nearly 14,000 new patients per year in France. According to the France Lymphoma Espoir Association, non-Hodgkin lymphoma ranks 6th most common cancers in France. On distingue two big guys lymphomas: Hodgkin lymphoma (previously called Hodgkin’s Maladie) that touches especially young adults (20-40 years) and which represents 15% of lymphomas, and the non-Hodgkin lymphoma which concerns the people around 60 years old and which are the most common. Explanations from Professor Emmanuel Gyan, head of the hematology and cellular therapy department at Tours University Hospital.
1. A swollen lymph node
The system lymphatic includes tissues and organs that make, store and release des lymphocytes (types of white blood cells). These lymphocytes are blood cells which participate in the immune system, in other words in defense of the body. Overall, we have three types of lymphocytes : lymphocytes B, T and NK. B lymphocytes are the most numerous, therefore B lymphomas are the most common. “These lymphocytes are patrollers that travel throughout the body, but they are lodged 70% of the time in the lymph nodes. The only places they cannot be found are hair, teeth and nails, which is why it isIt’s impossible to have lymphomas of the hair, teeth or nails. A lymphocyte can activate an oncogene, in other words “press the wrong button” which is either an accelerator pedal (the lymphocyte will thus multiply) or a button which prevents the lymphocytes from disappearing following an infection (this is called an apoptosis deficiency)“, describes our interlocutor. This will then lead to the formation of a lump at the level of the ganglion in which this lymphocyte is found. “Since we have lymphocytes everywhere in the body, these lumps may be visible at the level lymph nodes in the neck, armpits, inguinal hollows (groin folds), the spleen, also lymph nodes that cannot be palpated with the fingers such as those between the lungs (mediastinum), behind the kidneys (retroperitoneum). But you can also have lumps in the skin, liver, intestines, brain, eye, etc..”, liste Pr Gyan.
2. Sudden weight loss
It’s not just the so-called tumor symptoms. “We can also see repercussions on the general state of health which, in isolation, are not suggestive of lymphoma. In some cases, people with lymphoma may experience sudden, unexplained weight loss because the tumor consumes a lot of energy and therefore calories“, indicates the hematologist.
Symptoms of lymphoma © normaals – 123RF
3. Sweats at night
In case of lymphoma, “you may also notice significant night sweats which wake the person up because they are so wet or she is cold“, specifies Professor Gyan. These sweats are abundant enough to wet nightwear and bed linen, and recurrent.
4. A fever that persists
“An unexplained fever above 38°C and which lasts more than 8 days can be one of the warning signs of lymphoma and requires consultation with a doctor. We can also observe a significant fatigue, but this signal is difficult to understand because it remains subjective“, explains the doctor.
5. Itching
Some people can scratch, sometimes until they bleed, and not suspect lymphoma. “And this pruritus remains unexplainedit may be interesting to realize un PET-scan (examination prescribed by a specialist) to check that there is no hidden lymph node which contains lymphoma. Lymphoma can sometimes be discovered during an investigation of pruritus.“, underlines the hematologist.
6. Joint pain
“The presence of lymphoma can also lead to so-called “paraneoplastic” signs, which correspond to a set of abnormalities that can accompany certain cancers, such as the occurrence of rarer autoimmune pathologies such as des myosites (rare diseases that affect the muscle), or joint damage such as polyarthrites“, describes our specialist.
7. Difficulty breathing
Yes, yes lymphoma is located in the lungs, respiratory signs such as difficulty breathing, shortness of breath or persistent cough may be observed. “However, this remains rare. These breathing problems may also be linked to anemia caused by lymphoma. But what you have to remember is that aside from the lumps, specifically at the level of the lymph nodes, there is no real specific symptoms of lymphoma“, would like to clarify our interlocutor.
Are these the same symptoms for Hodgkin’s or non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma?
Although the treatments are different, the symptoms are essentially the same. “Of course, when we go into detail, we realize that there are small subtleties in the presentation of the manifestations of one type of lymphoma to another. For example, having skin rashes will rather evoke an angioimmunoblastic T lymphoma (ALI) which is a non-Hodgkin lymphoma. People who have large lymph nodes that appear suddenly can induce Burkitt’s lymphoma which is also non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma… But this will be refined at the time of diagnosis. The orientation signs are significantly similar regardless of the type of lymphoma“, indicates our interlocutor.
There may also be an impact of the disease on the blood test, such as:
Anemia: the presence of lymphoma can lead to autoimmunity once morest red blood cells, which will be destroyed.
A drop in red, white or platelet blood cells, if the lymphoma reaches the bone marrow, therefore at the site of production of white, red blood cells and platelets. This attack can be discovered during a myelogram oran osteomedullary biopsy.
Hypercalcemiadefined by too much calcium in the blood
An increase in lactic acid.
When do these symptoms appear?
“These symptoms are correlated with the presence of the tumor, so they occur from the start of the cancer. For example, if the tumor returns, at the time of a relapse, these symptoms may appear and alert the patient“, specifies Professor Gyan.
Stages of evolution of lymphoma © designua – 123RF
Who to consult if lymphoma is suspected?
The presence of these symptoms should lead to consultation his general practitioner who will carry out an initial clinical examination, a questioning and will order a blood test. “Faced with an isolated lymph node or not, the general practitioner will refer his patient to a specialist such as a hematologist (hematologists are lymph node specialists) who will carry out more in-depth examinations. Imagery can orient, but it will only be an element of orientation. Alone a biopsy is an element of certainty and allows a diagnosis of lymphoma to be made“, concludes our interlocutor.
Thanks to Professor Emmanuel Gyan, head of the hematology and cellular therapy department at Tours University Hospital and thanks to the France Lymphoma Espoir Association.
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