Overview

Lymphomas are tumors of a particular type of white blood cells (lymphocytes), which dwell in the lymphatic system and blood-forming organs. 

Lymphomas can originate from either of the following: 

• T lymphocytes - essential for coordinating the immune system and combating viral infections. 
• B lymphocytes - produce antibodies, which are crucial to fighting off some diseases.

The lymphocytes progress to all body parts through the blood and into lymphatic vessels. Throughout the network of lymphatic vessels, lymph nodes are distributed. Lymphocytes that turn cancerous may stay restricted to a specific lymph node or transmit to the bone marrow, blood, the spleen, or other organs.

The two significant kinds of lymphoma are Hodgkin lymphoma and Non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Non-Hodgkin lymphoma are more common, and they have subtypes.

Symptoms

Symptoms of lymphoma may involve:

• Inflammation of lymph nodes in the armpits, neck or groin
• Persistent fatigue
• Fever
• Night sweating
• Shortness of breath
• Unexplained weight loss
• Itchiness in the skin

Treatment

Suitable treatments for lymphoma depend on the type, degree of the disease, health, and preferences. Treatments involve:

• Active surveillance: Some forms of lymphoma are very slow-growing; therefore, one might want to wait until the symptoms interfere with daily activities. Till then, monitoring and periodic tests are a must.
• Chemotherapy: This method uses drugs to destroy fast-growing cancer cells. The drugs can be administered through a vein or via pills.
• Radiation therapy: This method uses high-powered beams of energy to kill cancer cells.
• Bone marrow transplant: This involves using high chemotherapy and radiation treatment to suppress the bone marrow. Later healthy bone marrow stem cells from the person's body or from a donor's body are infused into the blood, where they progress to bones and rebuild the bone marrow.
• Targeted drugs focusing on particular abnormalities in the cancer cells. 
• Immunotherapy drugs using the immune system to kill cancer cells.
• Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cell therapy uses the body's germ-fighting T cells and designs them to combat cancer. This is later infused back into the body.

Fact Sheet:

Tips: Lymphoma treatment in India is successfully done at selected centers at an affordable price. Treatment is provided as per the patient's preferences based on the severity of the disease.

PGC Resolution: Advancing care through education and support services and improving outcomes through research. To eradicate lymphoma, serve those touched by this disease and improve treatment options for patients.