Lymphoma is a cancer of lymphoid cells and tissue. These cancerous cells can originate from different cell types including B-cell and T-cell lymphocytes. More than 60 distinct types of lymphoma derive from two major classifications, Hodgkin's and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Rarely benign, malignant lymphoma is a systemic disease of the lymphatic system that can affect the entire body.
Incidence
The National Cancer Institute estimates that approximately 74,000 Americans will be diagnosed with lymphoma in 2010, with more than 21,000 deaths attributed to this form of cancer. With treatment, five-year survival rates are greater than 82 percent for localized, or stage 1 lymphoma. These rates drop to less than 60 percent for metastatic lymphoma.
Identification
Clear warning signs indicate the development of a lymphoma. Sufferers may experience unexplained fevers that last for weeks or reoccur periodically. There may be swelling and pain associated with an afflicted lymph node, that can be located virtually anywhere on the body. In addition, there may be severe night sweats, fatigue, shortness of breath and a persistent cough. Only a biopsy of the affected area can positively identify the presence of a malignant lymphoma.
Treatments
Most lymphomas respond well to both chemotherapeutic and radiation treatment regimens, and to a combination of each. In some cases, sufferers also receive bone marrow transplants in addition to the traditional treatments. Some major complications associated with treatment include the development of heart or vascular disease, thyroid disease and sterility. In addition, a second type of cancer, leukemia, sometimes develops that may or may not be caused by the treatments.
Side Effects
There can be complications associated with lymphoma treatment strategies. Certain drugs, like doxorubicin, have been shown to be cardiotoxic and may lead to atherosclerosis in a small percentage of patients. Many chemotherapeutic drugs are also linked to mild to moderate neurotoxic effects that include memory loss, serotonin imbalances affecting mood and other cognitive disorders. In addition, other common side effects of chemotherapy and radiation therapy include nausea, loss of hair, weakness, fatigue and weight loss.
Prognosis
There are four stages of lymphoma: stage one is the easiest to treat and stage four the most difficult. Of those with stage one and two Hodgkin's lymphoma, more than 80 percent achieve complete remission when treated with chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Using the same treatment strategies, this remission rate drops to 70 percent in stage three cancer, and greater than 50 percent for those diagnosed with stage four. If left untreated, the cancer advances to late stage four cancer, at which point the disease is terminal.
Considerations
The exact causes of Hodgkin's lymphomas are unknown, but certain risk factors are known to increase the chances of developing this blood cancer. According to the Lymphoma Research Foundation, exposure to certain carcinogens such as herbicides and pesticides, viral infections such as Epstein-Barr and HIV as well as other conditions that lead to a compromised immune system may increase the risk for developing Hodgkin's lymphoma.
