2023-09-15 10:30:00
On September 15, the World Lymphoma Awareness Day. Lymphoma is a broad term that describes cancer that begins in the cells of the lymphatic system, part of the immune system. Lymphomas are divided into two large groups: Hodgkin lymphomas, also known as “Hodgkin’s disease” and lymphomas No Hodgkin (LNH) which are the ones with the highest incidence.
The latter are divided into various subtypes such as follicular lymphoma, diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, small lymphocytic lymphoma, Burkitt lymphoma, T-cell lymphomas, cutaneous T-cell lymphoma.
In Argentina, lymphomas correspond to 4% of all types of cancer and are one of the most frequent in the general population. It is the most common type of cancer in young people between 15 and 19 years old and the third most common type of cancer in children under 15 years of age. While in young people and adults the most common lymphoma is Non-Hodgkin lymphoma, the opposite is true in children, NHL is the most prevalent.
What is the lymphatic system like?
The lymphatic system is made up of the following elements:
Lymph: colorless, watery liquid that runs through the lymphatic vessels and transports lymphocytes.
Lymphoma: what signs allow it to be detected in time
Lymphocytes: Lymphocytes are part of white blood cells, generated in the bone marrow. There are three types of lymphocytes:
Los B lymphocytes, which make antibodies to fight infections. They are also called B cells. Most types of non-Hodgkin lymphoma form in B lymphocytes. T lymphocytes, which help B lymphocytes make antibodies to fight infections. They are also called T cells. natural killer lymphocytes, which attack cancer cells and viruses. They are also called natural killer cells or NK cells.
Lymphatic vessels: network of thin tubes that collect lymph from different parts of the body and return it to the bloodstream.
lymph nodes: small, rounded structures that filter lymph and are defense points of the body to fight infections and diseases. Lymph nodes are distributed throughout the network of lymphatic vessels throughout the body. There are lymph node groups in the neck, armpit, mediastinum, abdomen, pelvis, and groin.
What is Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, the disease that Máxima’s father suffered from?
Basis: organ that makes lymphocytes, stores red blood cells and lymphocytes, filters blood, and destroys old blood cells. The spleen is on the left side of the abdomen, near the stomach.
Timo: organ located in the thorax, behind the sternum, in which T lymphocytes mature and multiply.
Tonsils: two small masses of lymphatic tissue in the throat, on each side of the throat.
Bone marrow: soft, spongy tissue in the center of certain bones, such as the hip and breastbone. White blood cells, red blood cells and platelets are generated in the bone marrow.
Lymphoma can affect all of these areas, as well as other organs in the body.
Risk factors in adult lymphoma
There are several of them and they might be summarized in the following:
- Age: Some types of lymphoma are more common in young adults, while others are diagnosed more often in people over 55 years of age.
- Sex: Men are more likely to develop lymphoma than women.
- It is more common in people with diseases of the immune systemcertain chronic infections or taking immunosuppressive medications.
- Autoimmune diseases
- Hereditary immunological diseases
- VIH/SIDA
- infection by Epstein-Barr virus.
- infection Helicobacter pylori.
There are several presenting symptoms of lymphatic cancer, for example, swollen lymph nodes lymphatics of neck, armpit or groin persistently and painlessly. Unlike other causes of inflammation, this does not subside over the days and the nodes may have a increased or stony consistency. Furthermore, the patient suffers fatigue persistent, lack of energy and weight loss or hair loss without apparent cause. Presents itself feverlow-grade fever, paleness or night sweats, as well as difficulty breathing and increased spleen or liver size on palpation.
Why can’t cancer still be cured?
The diagnosis of lymphoma is made through hematological studies, tomography and biopsy of the affected lymph node and bone marrow mainly. These studies allow us to determine the type of lymphoma and the stage it is in. In the hematological study we can find lymphocytes with their own atypical shapes, also the increase in erythrocyte sedimentation rate in the blood is characteristic.
It is important to emphasize that the earlier the diagnosis, the greater the chances of cure with treatment. Non-Hodgkin lymphoma, above all, is one of the few types of cancer where we can currently talk regarding a cure.
Hodgkin lymphoma often has a high 5-year survival rate, which is around 90%. While the prognosis of non-Hodgkin lymphoma depends on the specific type of pre-existing disease, age, stage of diagnosis, tumor size, location and distant spread. In children and young people, The 5-year relative NHL survival rate is higher and is around 90%, but it can vary depending on several factors.
Treatment of lymphomas may include chemotherapy, immunotherapy, monoclonal antibody therapy, radiation therapy, stem cell transplant, or some combination of these. Depending on the stage of diagnosis, the presence of pre-existing diseases, age and type of tumor, treatment options will vary.
Colon cancer: how to detect it to treat it in time
He Stem cell transplant can be done from bone marrow, peripheral blood or umbilical cord cells. It can be autologous, when the tissue belongs to the person themselves, or allogeneic, when the stem cells come from a person other than the patient, whether a related or unrelated donor.
Therefore, the importance of registering as a bone marrow donor, since we might contribute to the treatment of many people who require a bone marrow transplant. Any healthy person from the age of 18 to 60 can be a bone marrow donor. years, provided that he does not suffer from any disease that might be transmitted to the recipient and that he does not suffer from any disease that might endanger his life due to the donation.
In summary, we can mention the importance of knowing the signs and symptoms of this disease: when palpating a tumor with a hard consistency, not painful, of sudden appearance or increasing in size, located in the neck, armpit or groin, it is important to consult immediately to the doctor. Also in case of fatigue or fever of undefined cause. Early diagnosis and timely treatment is key, since it clearly improves the prognosis of lymphoma, both in children and adults.
* Médica Pediatra MN 88956, Health Coach
1694774961
#lymphoma #common #cancer #among #young #people
