Lymphoma: Benign or malignant?
A lymphoma is an enlarged lymph node, which cause different diseases can be. There are benign inflammatory (benign) and malignant (malignant) lymphomas, including Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.
Man picks up in neck
Signs of lymphoma: especially on the neck, the armpits and the bar first enlarged lymph nodes show up.
I felt without external cause often sahal and realized that I have taken off without to hungern ", portrays a 45 patients with Hodgkin's lymphoma. Later he had some fever every now and then. "Außerdem I realized that my lymph nodes on the right side of the neck were swollen. " with blood tests and CT scans, the doctors were a malignant lymphoma on the track. " The infested Lymphkonten has been surgically removed. Chemotherapy and radiotherapy joined. "DAS is now her two years", reported the patient where it's fine now. However, he needs to fine-meshed control tests as early as possible to discover a recurrence.
Lymph nodes, lymphoma, malignant lymphoma
To understand how to develop Lymphoma, one must get something out: the lymph nodes are a part of the body's immune system and spread over the entire body. There is a certain type of white blood cell, the lymphocyte in them. These are immune cells that increasingly result from inflammation. This swell the lymph nodes in the affected region of the body.
Benign lymphoma is a natural body reaction
A swollen lymph node in defense response to illness or injury is benign lymphoma. Accordingly, swollen lymph nodes in this context in a patient are normal and occur very often - such as any infection.
Malignant lymphomas are rare
Malignant lymph nodes swelling develop on the basis of incorrect cell formation. They are divided into Hodgkin's lymphoma and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. It is a comparatively rare type of cancer. Most illnesses with the non-Hodgkin's lymphoma occur between 60 and 70 years of age, the average age of onset of patients lies in Hodgkin's lymphoma for about 40 years. On average, there are one or two new cases per year to 100,000 patients in Germany.
Treatment and research for lymphoma
The treatment of lymphoma depends on the severity of the disease. While in mild forms often can wait, the malignant lymphoma - Hodgkin's lymphoma and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma - is treated with radiation and chemotherapy. A new form of treatment uses the stem cell therapy. This treatment approach is the subject of current research. Studies on this topic and a development of this treatment are partially still.
As a lymphoma may manifest
The signs of lymphoma are very non-specific. Often detected the disease in a study, where the occasion was a completely different - so-called incidental finding. In many forms of the disease, but is a sign in the foreground: the lymph nodes swell and are often sensitive to pressure. This applies to benign, but also malignant lymphomas.
Spleen and liver swelling signs of lymphoma
The lymph node enlargements, especially on the neck, the armpits and the bar show up for malignant lymphoma. The spleen is often larger and swollen. Also, the liver can be striking in this way. More symptoms of malignant lymphoma are very varied, because the cancer cells in various parts of the body can form tumors.
Signs depending on the localization of lymphoma
The complaints are based on the seat of the tumor. Has it example way way developed the lymphoma in the chest, coughing, but also gastrointestinal discomfort can occur. Diarrhea or itching are possible depending on the localization of lymphoma. Following General signs may indicate malignant lymphomas:
Eight signs of lymphoma
long-lasting feeling of weakness
Anemia
increased susceptibility
Fever
Diarrhea
Swelling and pressure pain of unclear origin
strong weight loss
increased night sweating
Contact person at each of these signs of a lymphoma is first the doctor, if necessary, transfer to a specialist in hematology and Oncology.
Causes and risk factors for the development of lymphoma
The exact causes of lymphomas are not yet known. However, there are a number of risk factors associated with their formation in conjunction. Benign lymphoma are a normal reaction of the immune system. Inflammation in the body occur, produce in lymph nodes which the corresponding region of the body more lymphocytes. While they swell. Colds are the most common cause for this swelling of the lymph nodes, but also other infectious diseases cause an enlargement of the lymph nodes:
Causes of benign lymph node
• Inflammation of the mouth and throat
• Viral infections
• Toxoplasmosis
• Lymph node tuberculosis
• Sarcoidosis
Glandular fever as the cause of lymphoma?
On the formation of malignant lymphoma is much less well known. It is believed a connection with certain viruses such as the Epstein-Barr virus, which causes the Pfeiffersche glandular fever. About half of those affected has this virus.
Genetic causes of lymphoma
A degeneration of cells is the cause of all cancers. The cells multiply unchecked and spread as a tumor. Lymphomas can spread through the lymphatic system throughout the body. Various risk factors for their development are:
• Lymphomas already occurred within the family
• chronic gastric mucosal inflammation, caused by Helicobacter pylori
• Radioactive irradiation
• Immunodeficiency diseases such as AIDS
• Chemicals and environmental toxins
The wide range of factors in question come as a cause of lymphoma.
Lymphomas: So the doctor makes the diagnosis
Dealing with the diagnosis of a lymphoma, this benign Lymphadenopathy are excluded. They require normally no treatment and no diagnosis. You are only a (positive) sign for a disease. The following diagnosis and treatment criteria are therefore for malignant lymphomas.
Blood tests and imaging procedures in a lymphoma
The physical examination is followed by a discussion of the medical history (anamnesis). This, also, spleen and liver are scanned, because they often fall. In addition, changes in these institutions can be sure notice through an ultrasound (Sonography) or an X-ray. Above all, palate - and adenoids are examined in the diagnosis as well as the lymphatic tissue in the entire mouth and throat. A tissue sample (biopsy) of the lymph nodes is carried out if possible, to the diagnosis when a lymphoma. Also change the blood levels can indicate a malignant lymphoma. In addition blood is examined for different viruses, which can stand in connection with a lymphoma - AIDS, glandular fever, or Helicobacter pylori.
Determine the degree of spread of lymphoma diagnosis
To determine a treatment plan, it is essential to know the exact extent of the tumor spread. Depending on the nature and severity of the tumor various investigations will be carried out:
• Ultrasound (Sonography)
• X-ray examination
• Computed tomography (CT)
• Bone marrow puncture
• Laparoscopy
• Skeletal scintigraphy
Hodgkin's lymphoma can be divided into four stages according to the Ann Arbor stages classification of the World Health Organization:
Stage I: attack a single lymph node region
Stage II: Two or more lymph node regions on one side of the diaphragm are affected
Stage III: Two or more lymph node regions on both sides of the diaphragm are affected
Stage IV: Diffuse organ infection by at least one non-lymphoid tissues, such as bone marrow or liver
Yet to differentiate the staging, there's a typed letter: A, if the patient has no other symptoms, (B), night sweats, fever, and weight loss occur in addition and E, when the lymphoma already on the lymph nodes has grown, and has affected the surrounding tissue.
Treatment of lymphomas
There is no standard therapy for lymphoma. The treatment of different forms of lymphoma is very different. It is aimed to the complaints, the age and the Gesundheitszusatnd of the patient, which is form of lymphoma, whether it is a highly malignant non-Hodgkin's lymphoma or indolent lymphoma.
Indolent lymphomas require usually no treatment
The so-called Idol duck diseases progress so slowly and cause hardly any complaints, so doctors usually for a wait and watch ("Watch and Wait" ") decide. This tight controls are important, so that treatment can be started immediately, if their disease getting worse.
Treatment of indolent non-Hodgkin's lymphoma
With the indolent non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, a treatment is not required. In contrast to the most other types of cancer, a possible early initiation of treatment is not considered promoting healing. The complaints are increasing, a chemotherapy usually first recommends. Often combined with antibody therapy.
The recidivism rate is very high for the indolent non-Hodgkin's lymphoma: after a few years, it comes in many patients to a new wave of the disease. However, it's with such a little aggressive lymphoma mostly symptom-free and well settle in.
The relatively new radio immune therapy an antibody is with radioactive particles and administered by infusion. The radiation is introduced directly into the tumor and destroys him.
Treatment of high malignant non-Hodgkin's lymphoma
Even in highly malignant non-Hodgkin's Lymphonen, chemotherapy is combined with antibody therapy. The treatment is carried out but immediately and more intensively. Then a radiotherapy follows depending on the severity and type of lymphoma.
It comes to the relapse, usually a transmission is performed by own stem cells (Autologous stem cell transplantation). Also the foreign stem cell transplantation is possible.
Hodgkin's lymphoma - the best therapy
Hodgkin's lymphoma treatable with chemotherapy also. Depending on the stage and severity of the disease, it takes between two and eight months. Still a radiotherapy followed. Also the own stem cell transplantation is possible.
In some cases, about 15 to 20 years after therapy occur a relapse or other types of cancer. Tight controls are therefore vital.
Prognosis of lymphoma that is different
The diagnosis meant malignant lymphoma a tragic fate 30 years ago. Because healing was almost impossible. Only the life time had extended himself in some forms of lymphoma. In the fast-paced, there was however no aid. Slowly however, history, forecast and chances of recovery improve for lymphoma.
New therapies improve history of lymphomas
Even today, the chances of recovery of malignant lymphomas are very different. Not only the shape and spread of lymphoma, but also age and State of health of the patient are paramount. But the prognosis for most patients has improved with the development of highly effective radiation and chemotherapy, as well as the transplants. The side effects of chemo - and radiotherapy are often very stressful. Symptoms such as nausea, vomiting and diarrhea subside but after the end of the treatment completely.
Stage of lymphoma, and history
As in other types of cancer it arrives also in Lymphoma it to discover the disease as early. Then the chances of recovery at 100 per cent below - appropriate therapy - even when highly malignant non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. The disease is already advanced, they drop to 60 percent.
Check the history of lymphoma
Lymphomas tend most to a recurrence. So again - the cancer can occur in the same place or in a different part of the body. The risk falls but over the years, but remains a residual risk. Regular follow-up is important to discover a Rizidiv as early as possible, to handle quickly and to get the best possible chance of recovery.
Still no targeted measures for the early detection of lymphoma
For the different forms of lymphoma are known up to now no direct trigger - the cause of most lung diseases is safe as, for example, smoking. However, there are a number of factors favouring a development of lymphoma. These include environmental toxins and radioactive radiation. To avoid these among lymphomas the prevention against.
Avoid fumes and chemical residues and prevent Lymphoma
It is useful also in terms of the overall health - as far as possible to avoid these toxins. Includes, to consume as uncontaminated food. If you - come around at work - with toxic substances in contact, it should be granted to comply with the prescribed protection measures.
Healthy living belongs to the lymphoma prevention
A generally healthy lifestyle also contribute daily fruit and vegetables, adequate sleep, reduce stress and movement more generally to reduce the individual risk of cancer. These include also a sensible handling of the Sun. The General Mr program with the screening is completed. A mammography or the ultrasound examination of the abdominal cavity, a lymphoma can be discovered by chance.
Non-specific signs of the doctor to clarify leave
But there is no - a targeted measures for the early detection of malignant lymphoma because it can make known in any area of the body. The partly very non-specific symptoms of lymphoma are first of all there is no reason to consult a doctor for most people. These include swollen lymph nodes, night sweats, fever again, susceptibility and weakness. If these complaints however repeatedly occur over a certain period, it is advisable to let yourself examined by a doctor. Rather malignant lymphoma diagnosed, the prognosis is the cheaper.
Generally there is no specific prevention for lymphoma, only the facilities that belong to the healthy way of life.
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