1. AIDS and the Cancer Connection
Lymphoma is cancer of the lymphatic system, a network of glands, ducts and vessels similar to blood vessels that form part of the body's circulatory and immune systems. People infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), which causes AIDS, are especially susceptible to lymphoma because HIV attacks the immune system and makes it much harder for the body to defend itself against cancer. Early symptoms of lymphoma include fatigue, weight loss, fevers, night sweats and swollen lymph nodes in the neck, groin or under the arms. These are also symptoms of other illnesses, but with lymphoma the symptoms do not go away.
2. Many Diseases with One Name
Health care providers diagnose lymphoma by taking a biopsy of tissue from one or more lymph nodes. If the biopsy shows cancer cells, more elaborate diagnostic procedures follow to determine the kind of lymphoma and how advanced it is. Lymphoma is classified as Hodgkin's disease or as non-Hodgkin's lymphoma based on the kinds of cancer cells that are present. Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma is further classified as one of several different types. Doctors also group lymphomas according to where in the body the disease started. Some kinds of lymphoma spread faster than others, and some are easier to treat than others. People with AIDS can develop any of the lymphomas, but lymphoma often spreads faster in people with AIDS because their immune systems are depressed.
3. Strike Two Blows to Treat Cancer
When people with AIDS receive treatment for lymphoma, they require treatment for HIV at the same time. The drugs used to treat cancer weaken the immune system, and this can pose a problem for people with AIDS whose immune systems are already compromised. However, treating HIV with anti-viral drugs to slow its progress at the same time can make the cancer treatments safer for people with AIDS.
4. As Many Treatments as Lymphomas
Treatments for AIDS-related lymphoma include chemotherapy, radiation, stem cell transplant and antibody therapy. Chemotherapy is the use of drugs that the patient takes orally or by injection. Radiation treatments direct high-energy radiation at the cancer cells in order to kill them. Stem cell transplant is sometimes used with high doses of chemotherapy to replace healthy cells in the body killed by the powerful drugs. Antibody therapy uses specially constructed immune system cells to destroy or stop the spread of cancer cells. The treatment or combination of treatments depends on the kind of lymphoma and how far it has progressed.
5. No Need to Go it Alone
Living with a major chronic illness like AIDS and its related diseases is challenging. Staying informed and taking an active role in the management of the illness can keep you from feeling overwhelmed. It is equally important to maintain a strong network of family, friends and other people living with AIDS so that you can share physical, material and emotional support.
