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How quickly does simple lymphoma become malignant? Lymphoma: prognosis, treatment, photos, stages, tests

Lymphoma is considered one of the most dangerous oncological lesions of the lymphatic system and the body as a whole. Most often, treatment does not have any effect precisely because of late consultation with a doctor. Symptoms in adults and children really do not give complete confidence at first, but at the slightest manifestation you need to immediately take all the necessary tests.

Lymphoma is an oncology that originates from lymphoid tissue, and also occurs due to the degeneration of lymphatic cells (lymphocytes). Symptoms can occur in adults and children regardless of gender or race. As the disease progresses, not only certain lymph nodes are affected, but others as well, and then organ systems and bone marrow become affected.

During illness, lymphocytes divide and accumulate, and this leads to disruption of the functioning of organs and lymph nodes, and lymphoma must be treated as quickly as possible.

Lymph nodes are distributed throughout the body, forming a system; from one affected node, oncology immediately moves on to the next.

Healthy lymph nodes perform the following functions:

barrier(delay of harmful microorganisms and cleansing of lymph);
transport(delivery of nutrients, intercellular fluid);
immune(elimination of viruses and bacteria that have entered the body).

During lymphoma, the system no longer performs its functions fully and spreads cancer.

Types of lymphoma

Lymphomas are distinguished by the structure of the tumor. Determining the type of tumor also depends on the location of the affected node or organ that was affected by the lymphoma. Thus, kidney lymphoma, breast lymphoma and others are distinguished.

Oncology is also distinguished by the degree of aggressiveness:

Sluggishly aggressive (indolent).
Aggressive.
Highly aggressive.

If we classify lymphoma by structure (morphological and immunological), there are 4 types:

Diffuse lymphoma- this degree is highly aggressive, most often affecting elderly and middle-aged people. The tumor usually occurs in the gastrointestinal tract. There are several options for the development of this type of disease. The first is to increase several nodes at once. Second, the tumor is located outside the lymph node. In the second option, the symptoms will be associated with the organ that was affected.
Hodgkin's lymphoma– a malignant tumor characterized by the formation of granulomas. Because of this, the second name for this type of oncology is lymphogranulomatosis. The lymphatic tissue contains pathological cells that are the basis of this type of lymphoma. The cells are large, with several nuclei, their presence (they are detected when analyzing the contents of the puncture) indicates the presence of Hodgkin lymphoma. Pathogenic cells develop from B lymphocytes. This type is not so common and is diagnosed in patients 20-35 years old. With this lymphoma, a person may experience enlargement of the inguinal, femoral, intrathoracic, and axillary lymph nodes. The location of Hodgkin lymphoma determines the clinical picture. Enlarged nodes have a compressive effect, which can cause shortness of breath, coughing, swelling, and paralysis. Intense pain occurs. In cases of damage to the liver and gastrointestinal tract, nausea and vomiting and an unpleasant taste in the mouth occur.
Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma(aka lymphosarcoma). Occurs predominantly in people over 55 years of age. Such lymphoma can be either aggressive or indolent. Aggressive tumors are characterized by metastases (spreading into other organs). A sluggish disease is difficult to treat, as it can occur unpredictably, with sudden relapses. Tumors can be located in the lymph nodes themselves in the initial stages. Treatment is treatable, but it often leads to remission.
Burkitt's lymphoma– it is characterized by a very high degree of malignancy. Spreads through the lymph nodes, penetrates the blood and organs. In the case of this type of tumor, the pathogenic cells also originate from B lymphocytes. However, Burkitt's lymphoma occurs only in the United States, Central Africa and Oceania. African Burkitt's lymphoma (also endemic) is characterized by the presence of the Epstein-Barr virus. Depending on the location of the tumor, the onset of the disease may be sudden or slow. At the very first stages, lymphoma resembles a cold, then fever is added. After this, the weight begins to decrease very sharply, and the lymph nodes enlarge. It is possible that internal bleeding, renal failure, and intestinal obstruction may occur.

With timely treatment, remission can be long-term, but eventually the disease completely disappears. When a malignant tumor grows, all systems are affected, including the brain.

Stages and degrees

Stages in oncology (including lymphoma) are the progression of malignant tumors. Each stage has its own characteristic features, such as the degree of organ damage and the nature of distribution. Depending on the stage, treatment is selected.

There are 4 stages of lymphoma development:

First stage is initial and involves damage to 1 or several lymph nodes located in one place (axillary lymph nodes). Lymphoma, which has begun its development in an organ (without affecting the lymph node) is also the initial stage. The first stage occurs without metastases and is marked with I.
Second stage begins after 2 or more lymph nodes located on one side of the diaphragm are affected. The marking of this stage is II.
Third stage- This is damage to the lymph nodes on different sides of the diaphragm. Organs and tissues may be involved in the process. The spleen is also affected. Marking – III.
Final, fourth stage- An almost ubiquitous tumor. Affects several organs or systems, and is located at a great distance from the original location of the tumor.

The last stage is the most dangerous, in which a person has virtually no chance of survival. The development of tumors and lifespan are influenced by the age and immunity of the cancer patient.

Symptoms

Lymphoma (symptoms in adults may differ slightly from those in children) has symptoms similar to most cancers. But it also has some of its own signs that speak specifically about disease of the lymph nodes.

The problem is that at first everything can resemble a completely unrelated illness (cold, flu). Therefore, you should be more attentive to the signals that the affected organism gives.

External signs

The vast majority of patients experience enlarged lymph nodes. This can happen in one specific place (for example, on the neck) or in different places. The inflamed areas are visible to the naked eye; they are also mobile and not attached to the skin.

During growth, enlarged nodes can connect with each other, forming one large tumor. They do not cause pain when pressed.

Temperature rise

All types of lymphoma are accompanied by high fever. At the initial stages it is relatively low, not exceeding 38 degrees. Already in subsequent stages, the temperature increases - this occurs due to damage to other organs and inflammatory processes.

Hodgkin's lymphoma is characterized by excessive sweating. This symptom manifests itself especially strongly at night. The discharge is odorless and colorless.

Weight loss

Disruption of metabolic processes and the occurrence of inflammatory processes lead to a sharp loss of weight in the patient. In addition, weight loss is facilitated by lack of appetite, vomiting, and a feeling of fullness (as happens when a person overeats). The human body in its final stages can reach dangerous exhaustion.

Pain

During lymphoma, a person may also experience pain, which depends on where the inflammation is located. Thus, due to compression of blood vessels, blood supply deteriorates and frequent headaches occur. As a result of damage to the chest organs, chest pain occurs. With abdominal lymphoma, corresponding pain sensations appear.

Itching

Hodgkin's lymphoma is also characterized by itching, which can be bothersome either in a specific area or throughout the body. Children especially suffer from this symptom. The unpleasant burning sensation may be mild, but in some cases the patient suffers from severe itching, scratching the irritated areas until it bleeds. Like sweating, itching is more noticeable during the day.

Weakness

Like most diseases, lymphoma is accompanied by weakness throughout the body. Some people do not pay attention to this symptom, but fatigue spreads throughout the body, even regardless of whether a person engages in physical training or not. Drowsiness and loss of interest in everything occurs for no reason.

Lymphoma has some other symptoms that depend on the location of the tumor:

cough(dry, debilitating, followed by shortness of breath and chest pain);
body swelling(deterioration of blood circulation in certain areas of the body);
digestive system disorders(diarrhea or constipation, vomiting, pain, feeling of fullness).

Symptoms of oncology can be difficult for children to bear, so at these moments they need special attention.

Reasons

Any specific reasons causing this disease have not yet been established. However, there are some factors that are present in almost all patients that trigger the appearance of lymphoma.

Reorganization of the body

Children can get lymphoma as a result of the formation and restructuring of the immune system. During these natural processes, a malfunction may occur, which causes cancer. As for adults, it is worth highlighting several factors that become causes of lymphoma.

Age and gender

These include the age and gender of the patient. Depending on the type of lymphoma, people from 25 to 60 years of age can be affected. Men are more likely to get Hodgkin's lymphoma. Most patients have the Epstein-Barr virus, which enters the body through airborne droplets and contact. This virus is also the causative agent of hepatitis, multiple sclerosis and other diseases.

Toxic substances

Constant exposure to toxic substances on the body (for example, work in laboratories, contact with pesticides) is also a factor that provokes cancer. Taking drugs that suppress the immune system can cause lymphoma. Such medications are prescribed to people who have autoimmune diseases (arthritis, lupus).

Diagnostics

Lymphoma, the symptoms of which in adults in the initial stages may not cause suspicion, is diagnosed through tests and hardware diagnostics.

Palpation of lymph nodes	Occipital nodes, submandibular, axillary, femoral, popliteal and others.	Enlargement of nodes, location, possible pain.
General and biochemical blood test	ESR, bilirubin, blood protein, urea, leukocyte form and other indicators.	In general: decreased levels of red blood cells and hemoglobin, decreased lymphocytes, increased eosinophils. With biochemical: increased LDH, phosphatase and creatinine.
Ultrasound	Liver, spleen, intestines, spleen.	The degree of tumor growth, changes in organs.
CT	Internal organ systems and lymph nodes.	A more detailed study of the nature of the disease and its behavior.
X-ray	Anterior and lateral projections.	Widening of the mediastinal shadow.

For all questions regarding lymphoma, contact an oncologist specializing in this type of oncology. He also performs diagnostics.

When to see a doctor

Of course, if fatigue and some other symptoms occur separately, you should not immediately attribute this to the onset of oncology. It is necessary to undergo tests in order to understand the cause of the malaise.

Before taking the tests, you need to prepare. A person a day before all procedures excludes alcohol and tobacco. The stomach should be empty. The time of the last meal is at least 12 hours. It is forbidden to drink tea, juices (natural and purchased), and chew chewing gum. Only drinking water is allowed.

Another important condition is that you should not worry before the procedures. Sometimes it is difficult to prevent absolutely all factors that provoke stress. The most common cause of anxiety is waiting for a bad test result.

If a person is taking any medications, the doctor should be informed.

If the diagnosis is confirmed, then the next person the patient is referred to is an oncologist. After the examination, therapy, diet and prognosis for recovery are prescribed.

Prevention

Lymphoma, symptoms in adults in which can occur for various reasons, will be avoided if you follow some recommendations and exclude these causes. Prevention will help reduce the risk of damage to the body to zero.

To exclude the possibility of lymphoma, you should:

less contact with toxic substances;
do not neglect contraceptives during sexual intercourse with a casual partner;
undergoes a course of vitamin therapy at least 2 times a year;
maintain hygiene (do not use other people’s toothbrushes or towels);
exercise regularly (moderately, at least 10-15 minutes will be enough).

Special attention is paid to hygiene and sexual relations due to the possibility of infection with the Epstein-Barr virus.

Treatment methods

Treatment of any oncology can be long, and, unfortunately, it does not yet provide complete confidence in a person’s recovery. In the final, inoperable stages, doctors give no chance.

However, timely contact with the oncology center significantly increases the likelihood of a full recovery. The state of the immune system and the age of the patient add to confidence in complete recovery from the disease. Prices for services and treatment vary depending on where the person goes.

Full treatment (immunotherapy, chemotherapy, bone marrow transplant, etc.) can cost from $1,000-$4,000 to $70,000. It all depends on the clinic and the quality of its services. Diagnostics may be paid, in which case each analysis is considered separately (for example, laboratory tests from $400).

Medicines

Lymphoma, which may have symptoms that can be suppressed by medication in adults, is not itself treatable with medication alone. But some biological drugs are still necessarily present. Chemical preparations in such cases are made from the cellular structures of the patient himself.

The action of these drugs is to activate anti-cancer mechanisms and direct them to fight the disease. Antibodies, interacting with pathogenic cells, destroy them.

Sometimes taking these medications is accompanied by the following symptoms:

nausea;
pain in the head;
feverish condition.

These ailments disappear upon completion of treatment. The drugs are administered to the patient intravenously. Other necessary medications include so-called cytostatics. These medications damage tumor tissue and prevent new pathogenic cells from forming.

Lymphoma, having recognized the symptoms, it is important to immediately prescribe treatment.

Cytostatics include:

doxorubicin;
cyclophosphamide;
mercaptopurine;
prednisolone;
chlorambucil.

Corticosteroid preparations can be applied in the form of ointments.

Folk remedies

Traditional medicine is completely useless in the fight against cancer, and in some cases can be dangerous.

However, some people choose to supplement their primary treatment with home remedies.

Thus, one of the most popular remedies for eliminating lymphoma is celandine. Thanks to the vitamins contained in this plant, celandine has immunostimulating properties.

However, it should be remembered that a medicinal plant in cases of oncology may turn out to be a poison, and the natural stimulant of the immune system will negatively affect the tumor. The reproduction and causes of cancer cells have not yet been fully studied, so resorting to traditional medicines is not advisable. The reaction of tumor formations can be completely unpredictable.

You should resort to traditional medicine recipes only after recovery. In such cases, you need to consult a doctor who will tell you what is best to take.

One of these means may be:

chamomile tea;
celandine juice and milk;
kombucha drink;
decoction of birch buds.

During treatment, it is best to put off all prescriptions for home remedies.

Other methods

Treatment of lymphoma can be complex and combine several methods. The most famous is chemotherapy. This method involves administering drugs that destroy cancer cells. The therapy has strong side effects, because it “kills” not only the malignant tumor, but also the healthy structures of the body.

So, after chemotherapy you may experience:

hair loss;
deterioration of the digestive system;
weakening of the immune system.

The patient is also prescribed a special diet aimed at maintaining protein levels in the body and avoiding weight loss. During treatment, nausea and vomiting are common. Therefore, meals should be fractional; the menu must include porridge and soups. Food temperature is at least 50 degrees.

If vomiting occurs, food consumption stops for a while so that the person does not develop an aversion to food in the future. The diet is prescribed by the doctor, it depends on the course of therapy. The patient needs to get enough calories per day and also maintain a drinking regime.

In the case when only one tumor focus is identified in the patient, surgical intervention is performed. However, this method of treatment is not very popular and is practically not used.

Bone marrow transplantation, on the contrary, is used more often. Through this method, the bone marrow begins to produce healthy blood cells. The transplant is usually performed after chemotherapy, since in this case all the malignant cells and some of the patient’s own cells die.

Bone marrow material can be transplanted from:

identical twin;
donor;
the patient himself (the material is taken before chemotherapy and radiation and frozen).

Another treatment method is radiation. The high-energy effect is applied to those areas where pathogenic cells are concentrated, without affecting healthy tissue. Radiation therapy is used in conjunction with chemical therapy, but in the initial stages it can be used independently. The duration of such treatment is no more than 3 weeks. The procedures are carried out under the supervision of a radiologist.

Possible complications

Lymphoma (symptoms in adults and children may not be suspicious at first) is a fatal disease. Without timely treatment and ignoring symptoms, it progresses, and eventually death occurs. Also, self-medication with folk remedies can greatly aggravate the picture.

It is possible to cure lymphoma if you start timely treatment and pay attention to the symptoms in both adults and children. However, it all depends on the person's immune system, age and response to treatment.

Article format: Lozinsky Oleg

Video about lymphoma symptoms

Lymphoma - what it is, symptoms and treatment of the disease:

The term “lymphoma” is a collective name for many cancers that affect the lymphatic system. This is accompanied by an enlargement of the lymph nodes and damage to some somatic organs, which are capable of accumulating a huge number of lymphocytes. A tumor can form in any part of the body, since lymph circulates throughout the body.

What is lymphoma?

In short, lymphoma is... The disease affects cells that perform a protective function in the body and form the entire lymphatic system.

So what kind of disease is lymphoma? How does it manifest itself?

With the enlargement of lymph nodes and other internal organs, the process of accumulation of lymphocytes begins in them, which are responsible for the body’s immune system. Accumulating in nodes and organs, lymphocytes disrupt their normal functioning. There is a failure in the division of normal cells, and the accumulation of tumor lymphocytes does not stop, resulting in the appearance of a tumor - lymphoma.

Like all malignant tumors, lymphoma manifests itself by the formation of a primary focus of the disease. In addition, it can not only metastasize to other structures, but also spread throughout the body, accompanied by a condition similar to lymphocytic leukemia. There is a type of lymphoma that occurs without enlargement of the lymph nodes and initially develops in the structures of the brain, lungs, stomach and intestines.

Many people wonder whether lymphoma is cancer or not? The emergence of tumors from lymphocytes and the process of their maturation occurs in several stages. At any stage, the disease can become malignant, so lymphoma has many forms. Since lymphatic tissue affects almost all structures of the body, a tumor can form in any lymph node or organ. In addition to lymph, blood also contributes to the spread of abnormal lymphocytes. If left untreated, the disease becomes oncological and the patient may die.

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Causes

The exact reasons why the process of lymphoma development occurs are not known to science to this day.

There is an assumption that lymphoma occurs due to the influence of many toxic substances on the body, but there is no confirmation of this theory. The list of factors that can provoke the disease includes:

Hepatitis C virus;
HIV infection;
T-cell leukemia virus;
Mutagenic substances.

People whose professional activities involve close contact with heavy chemical compounds are at risk. People who come into contact with pesticides, as well as those who eat foods treated with chemicals, are also at risk.

According to doctors, the following can also affect the development of lymphoma:

Hereditary diseases (including lymphogenesis);
Autoimmune diseases;
Drugs that suppress the immune system;
Herpes virus;
Bacteria Helicobacter pylori;
Weakened immunity.

Types of lymphomas

Lymphomas are divided into 2 groups. The first group of diseases was named, the second included the so-called. Each type of disease is characterized by individual signs and manifestations, and their treatment methods differ. All types of lymphomas affect the lymphatic system, which performs the body's protective function against infections.

The lymphatic system has a complex structure. The lymph nodes cleanse the lymph that circulates throughout the body. The main components of the lymphatic system are the tonsils, thymus, spleen, bone marrow with a large number of lymph vessels and nodes. The main cluster of lymph nodes is concentrated in the armpits, neck and groin of the leg. Their number varies; there are more than 50 lymph nodes in the armpit.

Today, the following types of lymphomas are more common in medical practice:

Symptoms of the disease

The manifestation of the disease depends, first of all, on the form of the disease, the size and location of the tumor. Hodgkin's lymphoma covers 5 types of malignant tumors. The number includes over 30 types of diseases.

The first group of diseases is characterized by various symptoms, including lymph nodes and organs. Symptoms of the disease are characterized by both local symptoms and general manifestations of the disease. The most common signs of lymphoma are fever, sweating, joint pain, general malaise, headaches, fatigue, weight loss, and itchy skin.

Elevated body temperature is the first sign of lymphoma! An increase in body temperature is mainly observed in the evening and can reach 40 degrees. This is accompanied by chills, causing the patient to sweat profusely.

Skin lymphoma can be identified by itching of the skin, and itching can appear long before the lymph nodes are affected. It can spread throughout the body or appear in a specific area (usually on the extremities, including palms and feet, on the head, in the breast area, etc.).

Damage to the lymph nodes and organs can be diagnosed after examination by a doctor. In 90% of cases, oncological foci are located at a level above the diaphragm, the remaining 10% occur below.

Hodgkin's lymphoma in 70% of cases can be identified by enlarged lymph nodes in the neck, which are elastic and not adherent to each other and neighboring tissues. Lymphoproliferative lesions of the cervical lymph nodes are not accompanied by any special symptoms, the nodes do not hurt, and the skin around them is not red. Sometimes lymphoplasmosis affects small lymph nodes above the collarbone, and can affect the armpits. From them, in turn, the tumor is transmitted to the mammary glands.

Mediastinal lymphoma affects the lymph nodes in 20% of cases. The disease is characterized by compression and growth of lymph nodes into neighboring tissues. At the very beginning, the disease is accompanied by a dry cough, pain in the thoracic region, which is dull in nature and intensifies with deep inspiration and coughing. There may be pain in the heart and a bursting feeling in the chest due to enlarged lymph nodes. This may be accompanied by metastases to the pericardium, lungs and bronchi. As the tumor grows, patients experience shortness of breath during exercise. When the tumor reaches an impressive size, “vena cava” syndrome may occur, but there are cases when the disease occurs without symptoms and is detected randomly during an X-ray examination.

Lymphoma in the abdominal cavity and retroperitoneal space is rare and accounts for no more than 8% of cases. In most cases, gastric lymphoma occurs, characterized by an asymptomatic course of the disease. As the tumor increases in size, lower back pain, constipation, or gas formation may occur.

Another rare type of lymphoma is inguinofemoral and iliac lymphoma, accounting for only 3% of all cases of the disease. The tumor carries a poor prognosis due to its malignancy. The manifestation of the disease is as follows: it causes constant and cramping pain in the lower abdomen, heaviness or swelling appears in the limbs, and the sensitivity of the skin in the affected area decreases.

In addition to malignant forms of lymphoma, there are also benign ones.

A very rare type of lymphoma of the spleen is lymphoblastoma. This benign tumor is characterized by a high survival rate of patients compared to other forms of the disease. The only sign of a lymphoblastic tumor is an increase in the size of the organ as a result of the accumulation of lymph fluid, which is detected by ultrasound or radionuclide testing.

Lymphosis of the lungs occurs in 30% of cases. Abnormal lymphocytes enter the organ through the blood and lymph flow. The disease is accompanied by chest pain, shortness of breath and cough. The tumor covers the lung and pleural tissue.

30% of cases are bone lymphoma. Primary and secondary tumors are distinguished depending on the type of lesion (tumor germination from neighboring lesions or its transfer with blood and lymph). The tumor can affect areas of the vertebral system (parts of the spine), ribs, breastbone and pelvic bones. Lesions of the skull bones and tubular bones are less common. When the vertebrae are damaged, pain appears when pressing, and a feeling of numbness and twitching of the limbs also appears. As the tumor progresses, it can cause paresis and paralysis of the lower extremities and disrupt the functioning of the pelvic organs (uterus, ovary).

In 10% of cases, lymphoma affects the liver. The disease occurs with symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, heartburn, pain in the right hypochondrium, and an unpleasant taste in the mouth. The disease can be confused with jaundice.

Brain lymphoma is characterized by damage to the lymphatic tissues of the brain and does not metastasize. It occurs more often in adults over 60 years of age. Symptoms of the disease include speech and vision impairment, drowsiness, headaches and memory loss. It is much more difficult to treat brain lymphoma due to its inaccessible location. Chemotherapy for brain lymphoma is the best treatment option, sometimes surgery is used.

In addition to those listed, there are other types of lymphomas (lymphofibroma, lymphotoma, immunoblastic lymphoma, lymphocytic leukemia of small lymphocytes, lymphadenoma, etc.).

When suffering from lymphoma, both an indolent course of the disease and an aggressive course can be observed. Non-Hodgkin lymphomas are characterized by a high degree of malignancy and are aggressive. They are easier to treat because they make themselves felt in the early stages. Indolent Hodgkin lymphoma is asymptomatic and is an incurable form. Chemotherapy and surgery are used to treat it. Radiation therapy for Hodgkin lymphoma is also relevant. Non-aggressive lymphomas are prone to relapse, which can be fatal.

Stages of the disease

There are 4 stages of progression:

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Therefore, the earlier the disease is diagnosed, the greater the chances of recovery. If timely assistance is not provided, the prognosis for the patient will be sad.

Diagnostics

The diagnosis of lymphoma can be made by performing the following types of examination:

CT (computed tomography) and PET (positron emission tomography);
Ultrasound of the abdominal organs;
Chest X-ray;
Biopsy when removing the affected lymph node to determine the form of the disease;
Radionuclide diagnostics to detect bone lymphoma;
Trephine biopsy – allows to detect bone marrow lymphoma;
Fibrolaryngoscopy - a tissue biopsy of the tonsils, oropharynx, and larynx is performed if they are often affected.

If Hodgkin's lymphoma is suspected, procedures such as:

They draw up a picture of the disease, specifying the symptoms (sweating, fever, weight loss);
Palpation of all peripheral lymph nodes (ulnar, subclavian, popliteal), abdominal and retroperitoneal cavities, iliac lymph nodes.
Puncture and cytological analysis to identify affected nodes and select the necessary type of therapy;
Biopsy of affected lymph nodes.

Treatment

Lymphosis is treated using both traditional methods and traditional medicine. Among the traditional methods, chemotherapy and radiation therapy, or a combination of both, are widely used. When choosing a treatment method, the stage of the disease and risk factors are taken into account. Treatment of lymphoma begins with the use of chemotherapy drugs. Radiation therapy treats only the initial stage of the disease. For lesions of the lymph nodes, lymphectomy and lymphomodulation procedures are performed. Both soft tissue lymphoma is surgically removed and carried out.

Another important question is which doctor treats lymphoma? Treatment of lymph node cancer is carried out under the supervision of an oncologist, hematologist, and in some cases the help of a surgeon is necessary.

If the prognosis is favorable, ABVD chemotherapy is prescribed. Drugs prescribed to treat the disease include Bleomycin, Dacarbazine, Vinblastine and Doxorubicin. The drugs are administered intravenously. If the prognosis is unfavorable, the BEACORR regimen with the drugs Prednisolone, Bleomycin, Cyclophosphamide, Etoposide, Doxorubicin, Vincristine, Procarbazine is prescribed. Diet after therapy plays an important role in restoring the body's strength.

Monoclonal antibodies, which have a low degree of toxicity, are also prescribed for the treatment of lymphoma.

Nodal lymphoma is difficult to treat in older people. Complete remission is observed before the age of 40 and is about 65%, after sixty years - 37%. Toxic mortality with lymph node disintegration is observed in 30% of cases.

Treatment for relapses of generalized, aggressive lymphoma depends on many factors. This is the patient’s age, his general health, sensitivity to drugs used during previous therapy. Repeated treatment should include additional drugs to achieve a positive result. The doctor will determine which medications should be used.

Lymphoma cannot be cured and the patient is treated to improve the quality of life. This includes spiritual, psychological and social support.

Treatment with folk remedies

Many people wonder: is it possible to cure lymphoma using traditional methods? Traditional medicine can promote a speedy recovery if used in combination with the main type of therapy. We should not forget that folk remedies can be used only after an accurate diagnosis has been established and with the approval of the attending physician. It is unacceptable to make a diagnosis without examining a doctor by reading the symptoms of the disease on the Internet.

To treat lymphoma, decoctions of plants such as:

Before starting treatment, you should consult your doctor, as certain components may have contraindications, allergic reactions and other complications may occur after taking decoctions.

Nutrition and diet

Proper nutrition plays an important role after tumor treatment with chemotherapy. The diet must be balanced, high in calories in order to replace the energy expended by the body to fight the tumor and restore its previous strength.

The diet should improve the quality of life, the patient’s condition, prevent a sharp decrease in body weight and infection with infectious diseases. To restore the body after chemotherapy, you should:

Take vitamins to restore immune strength;
Eliminate alcohol;
Replace sugar with honey;
Eat freshly prepared food;
Drink more fluids;
Include flour in your diet.

You should eat every 2-3 hours, but it is not recommended to overeat or eat food that does not give you pleasure. It is also not recommended to fast. Walking in the fresh air before meals will be beneficial.

Video: Lymphoma - what it is, symptoms and treatment

How long do people live with lymphoma? Forecast

With the use of modern treatment methods, the prospect of 5-year survival is observed in 95% of cases with a favorable prognosis. With an intermediate prognosis, such survival rate is about 75%, and with a poor prognosis, no more than 60%. Patients who ignore the symptoms of the disease and do not take any measures die from lymphoma.

From all of the above, we learned that lymphoma can be benign and malignant, its symptoms and how it is treated. Each variety has specific symptoms. Lymphoma is not contagious, so there is no prevention for it, like any other cancer. If you adhere to the right lifestyle, monitor your health and promptly consult a doctor for help, you can significantly reduce the risk of developing cancer. If you notice symptoms or still have lymphoma, it is confirmed by examination, then you should immediately begin treatment.

Lymphoid tissue with the formation of specific polymorphic cell granulomas. The tumor substrate of Hodgkin's lymphoma is Reed-Sternberg cells (lacunar histiocytes) - large polyploid cells containing a multilobed nucleus. The bulk of the tumor of the affected lymph node is a granuloma with accumulations of lymphocytes (T cells predominate among them), granulocytes, histiocytes, eosinophils, plasma and reticular cells. The tissue of the affected lymph node is permeated with fibrous connective tissue strands emanating from the capsule.

Source: okeydoc.ru

The disease is named after Thomas Hodgkin, who in 1832 described seven cases of the disease and proposed to distinguish pathologies into a separate nosological unit, the common feature of which is enlargement of the lymph nodes and spleen, cachexia (extreme exhaustion of the body) and death.

Adequate and timely treatment allows one to obtain good results; stable remission is achieved in more than 50% of patients.

Average incidence rates of Hodgkin lymphoma range from 0.6–3.9% in men and 0.3–2.8% in women, averaging 2.2 cases per 100,000 population. The disease occurs at all ages and ranks third in prevalence among childhood cancers.

Causes of Hodgkin's lymphoma

The etiological factor of the disease remains unclear. It is assumed that Hodgkin's lymphoma is a B-cell tumor that develops against the background of T-cell immunodeficiency caused by hypofunction of the thymus.

There are several predisposing factors:

infectious diseases - cells of the lymphatic system begin to divide uncontrollably and undergo mutations under the influence of viruses (herpeviruses, retroviruses, etc.);
congenital diseases of the immune system - Louis-Bar syndrome, Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome, etc.;
autoimmune diseases - rheumatoid arthritis, Sjögren's syndrome, celiac disease, systemic lupus erythematosus, etc.;
genetic predisposition - genetic markers have not been identified, but there is an increase in the frequency of Hodgkin lymphoma in families where similar diseases have already been diagnosed;
the influence of carcinogenic chemicals - benzenes, aniline dyes, heavy metal salts, aromatic hydrocarbons, pesticides, etc.;
work associated with exposure to increased radiation, high frequency currents, irradiation.

Forms of the disease

The classification of Hodgkin lymphoma is based on the histological characteristics of the affected tissue.

In the early stages, the disease usually occurs without symptoms.

There are four histological variants of Hodgkin lymphoma:

nodular (nodular) sclerosis (types 1 and 2)- the most common form of the disease, is accompanied by the formation of collagen strands in the lymph nodes inside the chest cavity, which divide the formed tumor tissue into many rounded areas. Reed–Sternberg cells are detected;
lymphohistiocytic (lymphoid predominance)– a classic variant of Hodgkin’s lymphoma, which is characterized by the presence of a large number of lymphocytes in the affected organ. Reed-Sternberg cells are rare, Hodgkin cells are often found. Clusters of lymphocytes merge with each other and form areas of diffuse growth; fibrosis and necrosis are absent. The most often affected are the cervical axillary and inguinal lymph nodes;
lymphoid depletion– in the affected tissue, Reed-Sternberg cells predominate; between them, isolated inclusions of lymphocytes are noticeable, the level of which is constantly decreasing. The variant of lymphoid depletion usually corresponds to stage IV of the spread of the disease and is characterized by an unfavorable course;
mixed cell variant– the histological picture is represented by a large number of lymphocytes, eosinophils, plasma cells, Reed-Sternberg cells in the affected tissue. Foci of necrosis and areas of fibrosis are often found.

Source: hematology.org

Stages of Hodgkin's lymphoma

When establishing the stages of Hodgkin's lymphoma, examination and biopsy data are taken into account, the number of organs and tissues involved in the pathological process is determined, and the extent of the process above or below the diaphragm:

I – one group of lymph nodes is affected;
I E – I + involvement of one extralymphatic organ in the pathological process;
II – two or more groups of lymph nodes on one side (above or below) of the diaphragm are affected;
II E - damage to the lymphoid organ with an increase in 1-2 groups of lymph nodes, localization of the lesion - on the same side relative to the diaphragm;
III – several groups of lymph nodes on both sides (above and below) of the diaphragm are affected;
III S – damage to the spleen is added;
III E – III + localized damage to an extralymphatic organ or tissue;
IV – diffuse or disseminated (multifocal) damage to one or more internal organs, which may be accompanied by damage to the lymph nodes.

The appearance of signs of biological activity during remission indicates an incipient exacerbation.

Stage IV may have the following course options:

A – no intoxication;
B – signs of intoxication, loss of body weight over the past six months;
a – there is no biological activity according to blood tests;
b – biological activity has been detected.

Symptoms of Hodgkin's lymphoma

Initially, the pathological process develops in the lymph nodes. They increase gradually, the tumor process spreads and affects other organs and tissues. In the early stages, the disease usually occurs without symptoms. As the lymph nodes grow, they become painful, and symptoms associated with compression of surrounding tissues and organs appear.

Local signs of Hodgkin's lymphoma:

enlarged lymph nodes;
damage to internal organs.

The main symptom of Hodgkin lymphoma is lymphadenopathy (characterized by significant enlargement of the lymph nodes). The lymph nodes of the middle and anterior mediastinum are affected, and sometimes the thymus. Also, the lesion can affect any organs; the spleen, liver, skin, bone marrow, lungs, pleura, and bone tissue may be involved in the process.

Common symptoms of Hodgkin lymphoma:

fever that has a wavy character;
increased sweating at night (profuse night sweats);
weakness, apathy;
lack of appetite;
sudden weight loss for no reason, weight loss can reach critical levels;
decreased immunity, susceptibility to infectious diseases.

With a pronounced increase in the lymph nodes of the chest, the following symptoms develop:

hoarseness of voice;
a feeling of heaviness in the affected area;
dysphagia (impaired swallowing);
dyspnea (shortness of breath);
cava syndrome (poor circulation in the superior vena cava basin);

In the treatment of Hodgkin's lymphoma, preference is given to chemotherapy in combination with radiation, this gives maximum effect with a minimum number of complications.

When the process becomes widespread, signs of damage to internal organs appear. Most often, damage to the lymph nodes of the spleen and liver is found. As a result of the enlargement of these internal organs, compression of the stomach and displacement of the kidneys occurs. Involvement of the lymph nodes is manifested by the appearance of abdominal pain of varying intensity.

Lung damage, as a rule, is secondary in nature and is a consequence of the transition of the process from the lymphatic glands of the mediastinum to the lungs. Accumulation of fluid in the pleural cavities is often detected.

Damage to the nervous system is detected after extensive spread of lymphogranulomatosis in the lymph glands and internal organs. The most common lesions of the spinal cord are those in which lymphogranulomatous elements grow in the epidural tissue and compress the spinal cord. In such cases, the disease proceeds as a spinal cord tumor with sensory conduction disorders, paresis and paralysis, and pain in the extremities.

The two main ways of damage to bone tissue are lymphohematogenous spread and germination of lymphogranuloma into bone tissue. Primary bone damage is detected during the first year of the disease, secondary changes in the bones appear 1.5–2.5 years from the onset of the disease. Skeletal changes occur when the process spreads from adjacent lymph nodes, pleura, and mediastinum. Lymphogranulomatous tissue causes destruction of bone structure and osteosclerosis. The pressure of enlarged lymph nodes on the adjacent nerve plexuses manifests itself as intense pain in the spine and in the affected skeletal bones.

When treating patients with early and generalized stages of Hodgkin lymphoma, the 5-year progression-free survival rate is 90%, with stage III - 60–80%, and at stage IV remission reaches less than 45% of patients.

Signs of biological activity of the process due to the production of cytokines are also noted: increased levels of serum haptoglobin, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, ceruloplasmin and lactate dehydrogenase content, fibrinogen concentrations above reference values. The appearance of signs of biological activity during remission indicates an incipient exacerbation.

Diagnostics

Early detection of the disease is difficult due to the fact that clinical symptoms are not strictly defined and are often completely absent.

Diagnosis of Hodgkin lymphoma is based on the morphological picture of the affected lymph node or organ. A panel of research is appointed:

clinical examination and history taking– special attention is paid to the symptoms of intoxication, palpation of all peripheral groups of lymph nodes, spleen and liver, examination of the nasopharynx and tonsils is carried out;
biopsy of the affected lymph nodes with histological and immunohistochemical analysis of the biopsy sample. The criterion for Hodgkin's lymphoma is the presence of specific Reed-Sternberg cells and immature Hodgkin cells in the material taken;
laboratory tests– general and biochemical blood test, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, alkaline phosphatase activity in blood serum, kidney and liver tests. A clinical blood test reveals an increase in ESR, neutrophilic leukocytosis, possible moderate eosinophilia, an increase in fibrinogen concentration, thrombocytosis, and a decrease in albumin levels. In the initial stage of the disease, blood tests reveal moderate leukocytosis, which, as the disease progresses, gives way to leukopenia;
laboratory assessment of thyroid function– with damage to the cervical lymph nodes;
immunophenotypic studies of tumor tissue– identify qualitative and quantitative disorders of the T-cell immunity.
X-ray examinations of the chest, skeleton, gastrointestinal tract– have a leading role in determining the nature and identifying the location of lesions;
Abdominal ultrasound– for the same purpose as radiography;
computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging of the neck, chest, abdomen and pelvis– allows you to identify the presence of tumor formations in different parts of the body;
trepanobiopsy– carried out if there is suspected damage to the bone marrow of the iliac bones;
osteoscintigraphy– with increased levels of alkaline phosphatase in the blood serum;
diagnostic laparotomy– used for taking biopsies of mesenteric and para-aortic lymph nodes.

Treatment of Hodgkin's lymphoma

Various treatment regimens have been developed, their selection taking into account the type and degree of damage, duration and severity of the disease, and the presence of concomitant pathology.

It is assumed that Hodgkin's lymphoma is a B-cell tumor that develops against the background of T-cell immunodeficiency caused by hypofunction of the thymus.

The general treatment regimen for lymphoma includes two stages:

stimulation of remission using cyclic chemotherapy;
consolidation of remission through radical radiation therapy and maintenance cycles of drug therapy.

When planning the volume of treatment, unfavorable factors that determine the severity and extent of the tumor process are taken into account:

involvement of three or more zones of lymphatic collectors;
massive damage to the spleen and/or mediastinum;
presence of isolated extranodal lesion;
an increase in ESR of more than 30 mm/h in the presence of symptoms of intoxication and more than 50 mm/h in their absence.

Various options for radiation therapy are used - from local irradiation of primary lesions in reduced doses to radical irradiation of all lymph nodes at stage IV A. To prevent the spread of tumor cells through the lymphatic system, irradiation of its regional sections adjacent to the lesions is carried out.

Polychemotherapy consists of the simultaneous use of several cytostatics. There are different combination chemotherapy regimens (protocols), the drugs are prescribed in long courses. Treatment is phased, involves two-week cycles at two-week intervals, after completion of six cycles maintenance treatment is prescribed.

Preference is given to chemotherapy in combination with radiation, this gives maximum effect with a minimum number of complications. First, introductory chemotherapy is carried out with irradiation of only enlarged lymph nodes, then irradiation of all other lymph nodes. After radiation exposure, maintenance chemotherapy is carried out according to one or another regimen. Intensive treatment during the period of improvement reduces the number of late complications and increases the possibility of treating exacerbations.

Average incidence rates of Hodgkin lymphoma range from 0.6–3.9% in men and 0.3–2.8% in women, averaging 2.2 cases per 100,000 population.

If the process is local and accessible for surgical intervention, the spleen, isolated lymph nodes, and single conglomerates of lymph nodes are removed, followed by irradiation using gamma therapeutic units. Splenectomy is also indicated for severe depression of hematopoiesis that prevents cytostatic treatment.

If the disease progresses and therapy is ineffective, a bone marrow transplant is indicated.

Possible consequences and complications

Hodgkin's disease can have the following complications:

sepsis;
brain or spinal cord cancer;
pressure of the neoplasm on the respiratory tract, leading to asphyxia;
superior vena cava syndrome;
development of obstructive jaundice (with compression of the bile duct);
immunological changes;
intestinal obstruction (when the intestines are compressed by the lymph nodes);
cachexia;
thyroid dysfunction;
formation of fistulas of peripheral lymph nodes;
myocarditis and pericarditis;
secondary malignant neoplasms;
disturbance of protein metabolism of the kidneys and intestines;
side effects of chemotherapy and radiation.

Forecast

Adequate and timely treatment allows one to obtain good results; stable remission is achieved in more than 50% of patients. The effectiveness of therapy is determined by a differentiated approach to the development of treatment regimens for different groups of patients, identified on the basis of unfavorable prognostic factors.

When using intensive programs, the clinical effect is usually observed already during the first cycle. When treating patients with early and generalized stages of Hodgkin lymphoma, the 5-year progression-free survival rate is 90%, with stage III - 60–80%, and at stage IV remission reaches less than 45% of patients.

Hodgkin's disease occurs at all ages and is the third most common childhood cancer.

Poor prognostic signs:

massive conglomerates of lymph nodes more than 5 cm in diameter;
lymphoid depletion;
simultaneous damage to three or more groups of lymph nodes;
expansion of the mediastinal shadow by more than 30% of the volume of the chest.

Prevention

Special measures for primary prevention of Hodgkin's disease have not been developed. Particular attention is paid to secondary prevention - preventing relapses. People who have had Hodgkin's lymphoma are advised to exclude physical, electrical and thermal procedures, avoid physical overload, insolation, and work associated with exposure to harmful production factors is contraindicated. To prevent a decrease in the number of leukocytes, blood transfusions are performed. In order to prevent adverse events, women are advised to plan pregnancy no earlier than two years after recovery.

Video from YouTube on the topic of the article:

The lymphatic system is one of the main “orderlies” of the human body. She cleanses the cells, blood vessels and tissues from harmful substances, and is also part of the cardiovascular system.

Immunity depends on the condition of the lymph nodes, so Hodgkin lymphoma is serious pathology of the lymphatic system with a malignant course.

What is Hodgkin's lymphoma?

The disease has several names: lymphogranulomatosis, Hodgkin's disease, malignant granuloma - a tumor that attacks the lymphatic system. In fact, this cancer of this very system.

Hodgkin's lymphoma causes enlargement of the lymph nodes - cervical, supraclavicular or inguinal. The disease changes white blood cells - lymphocytes, and they degenerate into malignant ones. Later, the liver, spleen and lungs begin to change.

In newborns and young children (up to 4 years old), lymphogranulomatosis practically does not develop. Closer to adolescence, the risk of getting sick increases.

Main incidence peaks:

from 14-15 to 20 years;
after 50 years.

Young adults and men are 30 percent more likely to develop Hodgkin lymphoma than women.

Learn more about the disease from the video:

Types and stages of the disease

Hodgkin's disease is considered a “favorable” cancer, and a person has a great chance of getting rid of the disease.

WHO identifies several types of Hodgkin lymphoma:

Nodular sclerosis. The most commonly diagnosed form - 80 percent of patients who are often cured;
Mixed cell type. Occurs in 20 percent of granuloma cases. Quite an aggressive form, but the prognosis is still favorable;
Dystrophy of lymphoid tissue. A very rare form, approximately 3 percent of cases. It is difficult to recognize, but the prognosis is unfavorable;
Hodgkin's lymphoma with a large number of lymphocytes, also a rare form of the disease;
Nodular lymphoma. Another rare type of disease, it occurs most often in adolescents. Symptoms do not manifest themselves and have a very slow course.

Hodgkin's lymphoma has a gradual progression:

Stage 1, only one part of the lymph nodes is affected (for example, only the cervical ones). It is practically not felt by a person at all.
Stage 2– covers two or more parts of the lymphatic system on one side of the chest. The process may begin to invade neighboring organs.
Stage 3– both sides of the diaphragm are affected, as well as the inguinal lymph nodes and spleen.
Stage 4– the disease affects the entire lymphatic system and other internal organs – liver, spleen, brain.

Doctors identify Hodgkin cells in the lymph nodes, and this confirms the disease.

At the first stage of the disease, there are practically no symptoms, or they can be confused with a regular ARVI. This is why it is so important to undergo an examination every year, for example, take a blood test and visit a therapist.

Forecast

Malignant granuloma responds well to treatment and a person can completely get rid of this disease. The main thing is to detect the disease in time. Then the chances are high - More than 85 percent of patients diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma are completely cured.

The forecast depends on several factors:

Stage of the disease. Patients with stage 2 achieve remission in 90 percent of cases. From 3-4 – in 80 percent.
Presence of metastases. Many organs and systems can be affected in such a way that their recovery is no longer possible.
Risk of relapse. After treatment, the disease may return in 15 to 25 percent of patients. In this case, the prognosis is disappointing.
Sometimes Hodgkin's disease simply does not respond to any type of therapy. However, this is rare.

If you do encounter this disease, do not think about how long people with Hodgkin lymphoma live. With successful treatment, life expectancy will not decrease.

Causes

It is not known for certain why Hodgkin lymphoma occurs. There are only theories and assumptions:

Infections and viruses (Epstein-Barr virus, herpes type 8, infectious mononucleosis). Causes rapid destruction of lymphocyte forms;
Hereditary predisposition;
HIV (due to decreased immunity);
Exposure to carcinogens (for example, hazardous factors at work);
Diseases of the immune system.

Hodgkin's lymphoma is not contagious. But the exact cause of the disease has not yet been found.

Symptoms

At the initial stage of development, Hodgkin lymphoma is almost impossible to notice. The disease is most often detected already at stages 3-4 of the disease.

Malignant granuloma has the following symptoms in adults:

. The most famous sign. Most often, the cervical or submandibular lymph nodes enlarge, the person feels well. In other cases, the disease covers. Lymph nodes can grow to enormous sizes, but are usually painless. The photo shows the late stage of Hodgkin's lymphoma.
Damage to the liver, spleen. In the case of Hodgkin's lymphoma, these organs become enlarged, sometimes very large, but do not cause concern to patients.
Brittle bones, frequent fractures. These symptoms occur when metastases reach the skeletal system.
Itching. It occurs due to an increase in the concentration of leukocytes.
Excruciating cough, does not go away after using the tablets.
Dyspnea. It can occur both during movement and in a calm state and occurs due to constriction of the bronchi.
Difficulty swallowing. As a result of severe enlargement of the lymph nodes, saliva and food have difficulty entering the stomach.
Edema.
Constipation and diarrhea, abdominal pain.
Nausea and vomiting.
Excessive sweating.
Sometimes there may be numbness in the arms or legs, or kidney problems. But with Hodgkin's lymphoma this is a rare occurrence.

In addition, the body's immune defense is weakened, and a person may feel:

Temperature rise up to 39-40 degrees. Chills and muscle pain may begin. The patient takes all this as manifestations of the flu, but such symptoms are repeated again and again.
Chronic fatigue, which does not allow you to do your usual things.
Sick loses weight quickly literally within six months, he develops frequent infections, including pneumonia.

Diagnosis of the disease

Due to the absence of symptoms at the onset of the disease and the variety of manifestations already in the later stages, Hodgkin lymphoma can be difficult to diagnose. Typically, the patient is referred to a hematologist by a general practitioner. A a specialized doctor prescribes tests:

General blood test. A basic analysis does not determine the tumor, but allows you to evaluate some organ functions and suspect something is wrong. May be observed: decrease in hemoglobin, platelets. Leukocytes, monocytes, basophils and eosinophils will increase. Lymphocytes are significantly reduced. ESR, on the contrary, is increased (more than 25).
Biochemical blood test. In this analysis, the doctor sees the appearance of inflammatory proteins and their changes: fibrinogen, C-reactive protein, a2-globulin. In the later stages of the disease, bilirubin increases, ALAT and ASAT jump significantly.

To diagnose lymphogranulomatosis, the following is also used:

X-ray. It will help you see enlarged lymph nodes, as well as changes in internal organs.
Ultrasound. Used to study the size of lymph nodes, the degree of damage, the presence or absence of metastases in organs.
CT. Computed tomography allows you to study in detail both the location of the tumor and its composition. And also assess the state of the body at the moment as a whole.
FGDS. Necessary for determining lymphoma metastasis.
Bone marrow puncture. It is used in case of metastases in the tissue from which the particle is taken.
Lymph node biopsy. It detects pathological cells quite accurately. To do this, the affected lymph node is removed and examined under a microscope.

In classical Hodgkin lymphoma, cells of the same name are found, an altered structure of the lymph node, as well as a huge number of leukocytes.

Development in children

In newborns and children under 4 years of age usually does not develop this kind . The most common age of those affected is on average 14 years. But about 4 percent of primary and school-age children still get sick.

Children do not feel the onset of the disease. But later The following symptoms may appear:

The child often gets tired, becomes lethargic and indifferent to everything.
You may notice enlarged lymph nodes in the neck or groin, which do not go away for a long time.
The child is rapidly losing weight and eats little.
Symptoms of itchy dermatosis will appear.
Fluctuations in body temperature, appearing and then disappearing again.
There may be heavy sweating, especially at night.
All this does not bother the child. However, later, very slowly, the symptoms increase, changes begin in the liver and spleen.

Attention! In children under three years of age, lymph nodes are always slightly enlarged. They are also always increased in ARVI and other infectious diseases. Therefore, only a doctor can distinguish one disease from another.

If the doctor suspects lymphogranulomatosis, the child is the same diagnosis as for an adult. And if concerns are confirmed, they are sent to a hospital.

Illness in pregnant women

It poses a big problem both in diagnosis and treatment. All manipulations must be carried out under the supervision of a gynecologist.

Due to pregnancy, a woman may feel a significant deterioration in her health, however, fortunately, the disease develops slowly, which means doctors have time to try to achieve a stable remission in the patient.

In the early stages Radiation therapy is inadmissible. In severe cases, doctors recommend an abortion, due to the threat to the patient's life.

Treatment of a pregnant woman is practically excluded. Doctors are taking a wait-and-see approach. They try to help the patient carry the baby to term, and immediately begin therapy after birth. Naturally, breastfeeding the child is excluded. There is no risk of transmitting the disease to the child.

Treatment

The patient is hospitalized in the oncology department and the most suitable one for him is selected. treatment method:

Radiotherapy;
Chemotherapy;
Surgical intervention.

Radiation therapy is most effective in the early stages of the disease. The course of treatment is about a month. During this time, 15 sessions are carried out and the person is likely to go into stable remission.

In the later stages, drug therapy is added to irradiation, that is, chemotherapy with antibacterial and antitumor drugs (Adriamycin, Bleomecin), nucleic acid synthesis blockers (Cyclophosphamide), etc. They are also used hormonal drugs, such as Prednisolone.

In the first two stages, one radiotherapy or radiation therapy plus two courses of “chemo” is usually sufficient. At stages 3-4 at least 9 courses of chemotherapy.

The doctor individually selects a treatment regimen suitable for the patient, based on his condition, stage of the disease and the presence or absence of metastases.

Criteria for adequate treatment:

Reduction or even disappearance of some lymphoma symptoms;
Reduction of lymph nodes in size;
During the study, tumor cells disappear.

If the disease cannot be treated, then the so-called DHAP scheme, consisting of three drugs: Cisplatin, Cytarabine and Dexamethasone.

In extreme cases, when other means do not help, surgery is used. Remove too large formations, the spleen may be removed. The surgical method is resorted to to save the patient’s life.

To suppress the side effects of chemotherapy and radiation therapy, the patient is prescribed drugs that enhance immunity, as well as vitamins.

All treatment methods are actually kill healthy cells in the body. Therefore, at the end of treatment, the patient will have to undergo a complex bone marrow transplant operation.

Prevention

There are no clear guidelines for preventing the disease. Recommended protect yourself from viruses and HIV, exposure to carcinogens, as well as timely detection and treatment of herpes of various types.

Hodgkin's disease is a cancer of the lymphatic system. Fortunately, it has a very high cure rate - more than 90 percent in the second stage. All you need is vigilance and passing annual medical examination.

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With lymphoma, symptoms in adults and children should serve as a reason for examination and initiation of treatment, therefore it is very important to know the “enemy in person” and be able to identify the first signs. Lymphoma is not one disease, but a group of hematological diseases that occur in the lymphatic system. Simply put, it is a cancer of the lymph nodes that attacks the cells that support the functions of the immune system. In order to understand what kind of pathology this is, you need to know general information about the disease - where this malignant process originates, what characteristic symptoms it manifests, how tumor formation is diagnosed, and what methods of therapy are needed.

The lymphatic system performs very important functions:

Barrier – the lymph node retains pathogenic microorganisms and cleanses the lymph, preventing them from spreading throughout the body;
Transport - thanks to lymph, nutrients are delivered from the intestines to tissues and organs, and intercellular fluid is also transported from tissues;
Immune - lymphocytes fight bacteria and viruses that enter the body.

Since there are lymphatic vessels throughout the body, when one lymph node is affected by the oncological process, the cancer quickly spreads throughout the body, which is what makes this disease so dangerous.

What is lymphoma

With the onset of this disease, all patients are interested in the question: is lymphoma cancer or not? Unfortunately, this is an oncology that begins from lymphoid tissue, but sometimes a tumor can arise from degenerated lymphatic cells - lymphocytes. During the development of lymphoma, it is not only the lymph nodes that are affected. Lymphoma spreads throughout the human body through the lymph flow, affecting other lymph nodes. Gradually, important organs are involved in the process, and even bone marrow damage occurs.

During lymphoma, pathological lymphocytes begin to divide uncontrollably and accumulate in lymph nodes and organs, leading to their enlargement and impaired functionality. Lymphoma must be treated as quickly as possible.

This disease can occur in children and adults of any age, gender and race, regardless of their social status. The survival rate of patients with Hodgkin's disease (lymphogranulomatosis) is eighty percent; with cellular NHL (non-Hodgkin's lymphoma), twenty to twenty-five percent of patients survive.

Reasons

In the case of lymphoma, the causes can be varied, depending on the type of tumor. In most cases, the exact causes of lymphoma that can cause oncological disorders cannot be determined, but there are some factors that, together or separately, provoke malignant degeneration of cells. Some types of neoplasms arise due to the effects of viral (less often bacterial) infections on the body:

Epstein-Barr virus;
T-cell leukemia virus;
herpes virus type eight;
hepatitis C;

The risk group includes people working in hazardous industries, for example, those involved in the chemical industry, since carcinogens and mutagenic substances contribute to the development of pathology. In addition, people who uncontrollably take cytostatic drugs, as well as those who have undergone ionizing radiation during radiation therapy for other oncologies, such as lung cancer, brain cancer, intestinal cancer, etc., are susceptible to the disease. The influence of other factors cannot be excluded:

long-term use of drugs that suppress the immune system, for example, after organ transplantation;
genetic diseases (congenital telangiectasia, Klinefelt syndrome, etc.);
autoimmune pathologies - systemic lupus erythematosus, trophic ulcers, rheumatoid arthritis, Sjogren's syndrome.

There are many more factors that are of great importance in the question of the causes of lymphoma in adults and children.

Classification

For lymphoma, classification depends on the morphological and immunological structure of the tumor. There are the following types of lymphomas:

diffuse lymphoma;
Hodgkin's lymphoma;
non-Hodgkin's lymphomas;
large cell and small cell lymphoma.

Small cell lymphoma affects small cells of the lymphatic tissue, while large cell lymphoma affects large cells. Classification of lymphomas depending on the degree of aggressiveness:

Indolent (sluggish) – prognosis for life for several years;
Aggressive – prognosis several weeks;
Highly aggressive – several days.

There are many types of pathology, depending on the location of the lymphatic system or the organ it affects. Happens:

kidney lymphoma;
lymphoma of the mammary gland (breast);
bone marrow lymphoma;
primary lymphoma of the CNS (central nervous system).

The tumor can be localized in the abdominal cavity, on the neck, on the legs, in different parts of the spine. A tumor in the lymph nodes of the neck is considered the most common. Lymphoma occurs in the blood, in the area of the lung, heart, and spleen. Brain lesions are common. When making a diagnosis, gray zone lymphoma is a disease when, for one reason or another, it is not possible to determine the primary lesion.

Follicular lymphoma

The mildest type of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Although of low malignancy, this type of tumor is nevertheless dangerous due to its long asymptomatic course. A little later, the lymph nodes begin to enlarge, sweating and fever occur, and the person becomes weak. Very often, people do not attach importance to these symptoms, considering them a manifestation of a common cold, and the tumor at this time affects more and more areas of the body, reaching the bone marrow.

Non-Hodgkin's lymphomas

Non-Hodgkin's lymphomas are otherwise called lymphosarcoma. This group of oncology includes more than thirty diseases. Cells of the oncological process accumulate in organs that have lymphoid tissue, as well as in lymph nodes, after which they grow together and form tumor masses. Gradually, new organs, systems, blood, brain, bones, lung tissue, liver, etc. are involved in the tumor process. In some organs, tumors grow slowly, while in others they increase rapidly.

Hodgkin's lymphoma

Another name for Hodgkin's lymphoma is lymphogranulomatosis. The differences between lymphogranulomatosis (Hodgkin's lymphoma) and non-Hodgkin's tumors are colossal, because the tumor does not affect internal organs. This type of pathology is a neoplastic process that develops in the lymph nodes and is characterized by the appearance of new cells. Pathology is diagnosed more often in people aged twenty-five years. There are common cases when this disease occurs together with type 4 hepatitis (Epstein-Barr virus).

The symptoms of this form of lymphoma are varied, it all depends on where the primary source of the oncological process is located. The tumor is most often localized in the neck, but can also occur in the groin, under the jaw, or above the collarbone. Treatment for this pathology is combined, it consists of radiation and chemical therapy. Remissions (quiescence) of the disease are long-lasting; in most cases, oncology is completely curable.

Stages

Stage is the stage of development of a tumor neoplasm. All stages of lymphoma have specific characteristics that indicate how old the tumor is, how far the tumor has spread, and to what extent the body is affected. Determining the stage helps doctors select the optimal treatment tactics and make a prognosis for the patient’s life. In total, the disease has four stages.

The first stage is the initial one. During it, one lymph node is affected (less often several located in the same area, for example, cervical or inguinal lymph nodes). Also, a tumor that affects one organ and does not affect the lymph nodes belongs to the first stage. Such tumors are local; they do not metastasize to other human systems, tissues and organs.
At stage 2, the tumor process affects two or more lymph nodes located on one side of the diaphragm, with which doctors “divide” the human body into two halves horizontally. At this stage, the clinical picture begins to appear more clearly, forcing the person to see a doctor and undergo an examination.
In stage 3 lymphoma, the oncological process affects two or more lymph nodes, which are located on opposite sides of the diaphragm. It is also possible that several lymph nodes and one organ or tissue area may be affected. Stage 3 is characterized by severe symptoms.
Stage 4 lymphoma is a disseminated tumor, that is, one that has spread massively throughout the body. The last and most severe degree can be spoken of when the tumor affects several organs located far from the primary site of the oncological process.

Symptoms

Symptoms of lymphoma depend on the location and stage of the lymphoma. Initially, the patient may not notice the signs of lymphoma, since at an early stage it can manifest itself with minor symptoms, for example, fever, skin rashes, and other minor skin changes, which the patient may mistake for ARVI, allergies and other diseases. Enlargement of lymph nodes with lymphoma also does not begin immediately.

The first signs may appear in the second stage. This:

weight loss;
feeling of weakness;
itching on the skin;
painful sensations;
increased sweating and other signs of the disease depending on the location of the tumor.

At the first symptoms of lymphoma, it is necessary to be examined as soon as possible.

Diagnostics

Symptoms of lymphoma detected by a person at any stage of the disease should be a reason to see a doctor and undergo an examination. If lymphoma is diagnosed at an early stage of development, the patient has a better chance of recovery. Diagnosis of lymphoma includes a detailed collection of anamnesis, a person’s complaints, external examination and additional studies.

During the examination, the doctor pays attention to the patient’s skin, under which seals and nodes can be seen. With the help of palpation, the condition of the lymph nodes is determined - how enlarged they are, whether they are adhesive to each other and surrounding tissues, whether palpation is marked by pain, how many lymph nodes are affected. There are more than 10 lymph nodes in the human body, but doctors look and palpate all available lymph nodes, located:

on the back of the head;
under the lower jaw;
on the neck;
under the collarbones;
in the armpits;
in the elbow bends;
in the groin;
below the knee;
in the hip area.

In addition to these manipulations, laboratory and instrumental studies are carried out:

Biochemical research;
General blood test;
Radiography;
Tests for the tumor marker beta2-microbulin;
Ultrasound examination of internal organs;
Computer or magnetic resonance imaging.

When diagnosing lymphoma that has affected an internal organ, a biopsy is performed to collect tissue for histological examination.

How to treat lymphoma

The main methods of treatment for lymphoma are surgery, radiation and chemical therapy. Traditional medicine is used as an auxiliary therapy. The lower the degree of malignancy of the tumor, the higher the chance of recovery. Stage 4 lymphoma is practically untreatable and often recurs. The first stage is treated surgically, since the affected area is small. Chemotherapy for lymphoma is carried out at all stages. Some types of tumors cannot be treated with radiation.

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy for lymphoma involves taking antitumor medications that have a detrimental effect on pathological cells. Chemotherapy drugs are called cytostatics and are used to ensure long-term remission. Treatment of non-Hodgkin's tumor depends on the morphological appearance of the tumor and how malignant it is. Chemotherapy courses are given once every three weeks to give the body time to recover.

Radiation therapy

In radiation therapy, the patient is exposed to gamma radiation (X-rays). This method allows you to destroy cancer cells. If a patient is diagnosed with the most common Hodgkin's tumor, then the person is prescribed a radical radiation program, which involves irradiating not only the affected area, but also the surrounding lymphatic areas. This reduces the risk of relapse of the disease.

Operative method

Surgery is performed for a single tumor of internal organs. During the operation, the doctor excises the tissue affected by the tumor and nearby groups of lymph nodes. If a patient experiences severe splenism (a condition in which the functions of the spleen are disrupted, as a result of which it begins to destroy not only atypical but also normal cells), the spleen is also removed. Bone marrow transplantation has good effectiveness.

Folk remedies

Treatment of lymphoma with folk remedies is carried out as an auxiliary and preventive therapy against relapse. With the help of infusions, tinctures and decoctions, you can reduce the negative effects of chemicals and radiation. Treatment with folk remedies includes the use of goji berries and mushrooms - chaga, reishi, cordyceps. In dried form, these ingredients can be found in pharmacies and markets. The use of any traditional medicine must be agreed with the attending physician. It is important to remember that folk remedies cannot replace the main treatment - surgery, chemical and radiation therapy.

Complications

Chemotherapy for lymphoma leads to a number of complications:

ulcers on the mucous membranes;
decreased appetite;
hair loss;
increased susceptibility to infectious diseases;
tendency to bleed;
fatigue.

A large tumor under the influence of chemotherapy can disintegrate, affecting the kidneys, neuronal system and heart with decay products and impairing their functionality. To mitigate this phenomenon, it is necessary to drink a large volume of liquid per day.

A common complication is relapse of lymphoma, which can occur as early as six months after therapy. With an early relapse, the chemotherapy regimen is changed; with a late relapse (a year or more later), the same regimen is repeated. Disability for lymphoma is given depending on the morphological and immunological type of the tumor, the degree of its malignancy, the effectiveness of therapy, the duration of remission and complications.

Diet

Nutrition for lymphoma must be adjusted, since many foods are prohibited for tumors in the lymphatic system. The diet for lymphoma excludes the consumption of fatty red meat, preservatives, foods with chemical additives, smoked foods, carbonated drinks, alcohol and any harmful foods.

You need to be especially careful about your diet during chemotherapy for lymphoma. Since treatment involves taking aggressive chemicals, it is necessary to eat foods that contain the maximum amount of nutrition. At the same time, calorie consumption should be such that it covers, but does not exceed the energy expenditure of the body.

The diet after chemotherapy should help restore systems and organs that have been negatively affected by drugs with a chemical composition. The most useful after treatment are:

fresh fruits, vegetables and herbs, especially those rich in vitamin C;
dietary meat - rabbit, veal, turkey, horse meat;
cereals - wheat, rye, oats, barley, rice, millet;
fermented milk products - yogurt, kefir, fermented baked milk, cottage cheese;
foods high in phosphorus and iron.

The patient's food should be easily digestible, satisfying and healthy. During treatment, the doctor should give recommendations on diet and tell you which foods to give preference to and which ones to refuse.

How long do people live with lymphoma?

When lymphoma begins, life prognosis directly depends on its type:

with follicular lymphoma, the prognosis exceeds 70%;
with T-limblastic and peripheral T-cell NHL – 30%;
with pathology of the lungs and salivary women - more than 60%;
for cancer of the breast, bone tissue, central nervous system, ovaries and testicles - up to 20%.

In addition, the prognosis depends on how timely the treatment was started and what effect it had:

with complete remission, the five-year survival prognosis is 50%;
partial remission gives 15% percent;
in cases with low-grade tumors, the prognosis is 80%, regardless of the result obtained with therapy.

Much depends on the degree of cancer percentage. As a rule, in the fourth stage, survival rate is low, since the tumor cells have spread throughout the body.

Source: rakuhuk.ru