non hodgkin lymphoma cancer stage 4 | Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma

Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma


     
Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma is a cancer that develops in the lymph or lymphatic system, i.e. vessels and glands throughout the body that serves as a part of the immune system. In the lymphatic vessels flowing clear liquid called lymph fluid. This fluid contains one type of white blood cell called lymphocytes and function to fight infection. This lymphocyte abnormalities is the beginning of the occurrence of Lymphoma (cancer of the lymph nodes). Lymphoma is distinguished into two, namely, Hodgkin's lymphoma and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma based on shape abnormalities of cancer cells seen under a microscope.

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Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma that don't immediately get treatment may spread to other lymphatic system group and even spread to other organs, like the heart, brain, or bone marrow. This condition is extremely dangerous and can be life threatening.

Causes Of Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma
Causes of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma is the DNA changes or mutations that occur in a type of white blood cell called lymphocytes. However, the causative mutation is unknown to this day.

Generally, the body will produce new lymphocytes to replace dead lymphocytes. However, in the case of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, lymphocytes continue to divide and grow in an abnormal (endlessly), so that happens in lymphocytes buildup of lymph nodes. These conditions led to the swelling of the lymph nodes (Lymphadenopathy) and the body becomes susceptible to infection.

There are two cells that became the beginning of the rise of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, which are:

B lymphocytes. most of the non-Hodgkin's lymphoma arises from these cells. B lymphocytes fight infection by means of producing antibodies capable of neutralizing bacteria or viruses that are harmful to the body.
T lymphocytes T lymphocytes. some duty of destroying the bacteria, viruses, or other abnormal cells in the body directly. While other T lymphocytes help speed up or slow down the activity of the cells of the immune system to another.
In addition, there are a number of factors that may influence the emergence of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, among them:

Age. Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma can strike anyone of any age, but the risk of this cancer increases as you get older. Most of the non-Hodgkin's lymphoma strikes people aged 60 years and over.

Weak immune system. The condition is triggered by a variety of things, such as HIV or drugs consumption by lowering the immune system, for example, after organ transplantation.

Autoimmune conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, or Sjogren syndrome.

Certain viral and bacterial infections. Some of the specific bacteria or virus infections can increase the risk of emergence of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Virus infection include HIV and Epstein-Barr virus, while infection of Helicobacter pylori is a bacteria that causes peptic ulcers.

Certain chemicals, such as pesticides.

Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma is not contagious and is not lowered. Even so, there is an increased risk if the closest family members, such as parents or siblings ever suffered from lymphoma.

Symptoms Of Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma

The main symptoms of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma is swelling without pain in the lymph nodes, such as the neck, armpit, or fold the thigh. However, not all swollen lymph nodes showed symptoms of cancer. Lymph nodes can also swell due to response to infection experienced by the body.

In addition to the swelling of the lymph nodes, there are several other symptoms of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma who needs to look out for, among other things:

Weight loss.

Sweating at night.

Chest pain.

Respiratory disorders.

Abdominal pain or bloating.

Anemia.

Skin feels itchy.

Digestive disorders.

Check with your doctor immediately when experiencing these symptoms, especially if the symptoms failed to improve or get worse.

The Diagnosis Of Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma

As a first step, the doctor will inquire about the complaints, as well as patient and family health history of the patient. Then, the doctor will do some tests and procedures to diagnose non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. These tests include:

Physical examination. The doctor will check if there is a swelling of the lymph nodes in the neck, armpit, and groin. Checks are also carried out with perabaan against the organ spleen and liver in the abdominal cavity.

Blood tests. Blood samples taken to check the overall condition of the body, such as the number of red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets in the blood, as well as kidney and liver function. Examination of enzyme lactate disease (LDH) are also examined, as are often increased LDH patients lymphoma.

Biopsy of the lymph nodes. This procedure is done by taking some or all of the lymph nodes to be analyzed in the laboratory. The results of such analysis will reveal whether the patient has non-Hodgkin's lymphoma or not. Examination of the biopsy will be followed by an examination of imunofenotipe or immunohistochemical examination, namely, the antibodies are attached to the network. This examination is useful in determining treatment.

Imaging. Some types of imagery that may be done to diagnose non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, among others:

X-rays. To detect whether cancer cells have spread to the chest or lung.

Ultrasound. Abdominal ULTRASOUND examination can detect enlargement of lymph nodes in the abdominal cavity.

CT scan. CT scans used to detect the spread of cancer cells through the compilation of the results of x-rays in 3 dimensions.

MRI. Produce more detailed images from the spread of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in the body.

PET scan. This Imaging can measure the activity of cells in various parts of the body and detect the spread of cancer, as well as the response to treatment.

A bone marrow aspiration. To see the spread of lymphoma with bone marrow to take samples of blood and bone marrow tissue located at the back part of the pelvic bone (around the buttocks).

Pungsi lumbar. Bone marrow biopsy procedure is performed by inserting a needle into the lower part of the spine to take a sample of fluid system of the spinal cord. These samples will be analyzed to look for lymphoma cells.

After the doctor finishes checks and ensure diagnosis, disease specialists in Oncology Hematology consultants (KHOM) will determine the stage of cancer patient suffered. Determining the stage of cancer may help doctors determine the prognosis and choice of treatment methods. Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma is divided into 4 stages and is determined based on the spread of cancer cells, namely:

Stage 1 – cancer strike one group of lymph nodes, for example, only a group of lymph nodes in the neck or thigh fold.

Stage 2 – the cancer attacked two groups of lymph nodes or more, but still a part of the body. Body parts in the stadium lymphoma are separated by a diaphragm, i.e. above or below the diaphragm. The diaphragm is a muscle that restricts chest cavity and abdominal cavity.

Stage 3 – the cancer was already in a group of lymph nodes above and below the diaphragm.

Stage 4 – the cancer had already spread out of the lymphatic system and into the bone marrow or other organs, like the liver or the lungs.

Treatment Of Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma

Every non-Hodgkin's lymphoma sufferers undergo different treatment methods. Method of treatment is determined by the physician based on several factors, including:

Staging and stage of development of lymphoma suffered by patients.

The age of the patient.

The health condition of the patient as a whole.

Sufferers with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma that develops slowly (indolent lymphomas), will generally undergo monitoring carefully without any treatment. The doctor will schedule an examination on a regular basis for a few months to monitor and make sure that the cancer does not deteriorate.

If non-Hodgkin's lymphoma that patients are aggressive or cause symptoms and signs worsening, then the doctor will recommend some method of treatment, among other things:

Chemotherapy. This type of treatment is most often used to treat non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Drugs given can kill cancer cells. Chemotherapy is sometimes combined with corticosteroid drug to enhance their effectiveness. However, the use of corticosteroids is only allowed for the short term.

Therapeutic monoclonal antibodies. Known as the drugs rituximab, is useful to improve the ability of the immune system in the fight against and destroy the cancer cells. However, this step is only effective for some types of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, depending on the results of the imunofenotipe. Therapeutic monoclonal antibodies will be combined with chemotherapy in therapy for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

Radiotherapy. Radiotherapy is commonly used to treat early stage non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, a cancer of the new time attack one part of the body. Radiotherapy is done using high-dose radiation rays, such as x-rays or protons, to kill cancer cells. The beam is directed to the lymph nodes who have experienced cancer and surrounding area. Generally, radiation therapy lasts for 30 minutes on each visit.

A bone marrow transplant. This method of treatment involving chemotherapy and radiotherapy procedures to suppress the bone marrow. Then, the stem cells of bone marrow from a healthy patient's body or from a donor grafted into the patient's body, in order to reshape the healthy bone marrow.

Complications Of Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma

Non-hodgkin's lymphoma sufferers who have gone through the treatment process or have even been declared cured, still has a risk of experiencing complications. Some types of complications that may occur, among others:

A weakened immune system. The most frequent type of complications experienced by sufferers of non-hodgkin's lymphoma. The weakening of the immune system will be more severe for sufferers undergoing treatment. If the immune system weakens, then the body will be more susceptible to various infections and increase the risk of more serious complications.

The risk of infertility is increasing. The procedure of chemotherapy and radiotherapy can trigger increased risks of infertility, whether temporary or permanent.

The risk of the emergence of other cancers are on the rise. Chemotherapy and radiotherapy can not only kill cancer cells, but also kills healthy cells, so that the risk of the emergence of cancer later in life.

The risk of the emergence of other health disorders increase. Treatment of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma can also increase the risk of other health problems, such as:

Cataracts.

Diabetes.

Thyroid disease.

Heart disease.

Lung disease.

Kidney disease.

Prevention Of Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma

Precautions against non-Hodgkin's lymphoma is unknown to this day. However, the best way to prevent non-Hodgkin's lymphoma is preventing the risk factors, such as preventing HIV