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Understanding Lymphoma
Lymphoma is the most common blood cancer and the third most common childhood cancer in the World. Although there are many types of lymphoma they all originate in the white blood cells (lymphocytes) that are part of the immune system. These cells are meant to protect the body against infection, but sometimes they become diseased themselves. The exact cause of this cancer is unknown.
As defined, cancer refers to a condition wherein several the cells in a person’s own body behave in a very abnormal manner. What makes diseases caused by cancer cells hard to treat is that the cells multiply and affects how the specific organ works. In the case of lymphoma, the organ that is greatly affected is the lymph system which will eventually disable it.
This section and the articles contained here will help you understand Lymphoma.
General Symptoms of Lymphoma
| SYMPTOM | GENERAL LOCATION IN THE BODY |
| Painless lymph node enlargement | >2cm most common often in the neck, underarm or groin |
| Fevers, night sweats, tiredness, weight loss >10% | As lymphoma can trigger an immune response it can cause symptoms similar to those that develop when the body is fighting an infection |
| Widespread itching | Caused by immune cell histamine release similar to the itching of allergic conditions. Sometimes triggered by alcohol |
| Nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain | If lymphoma is effecting the digestive tract |
| Shortness of breath, cough | If lymphoma is effecting the chest |
| Headaches, vision changes, seizures | If lymphoma is effecting the brain |
| Anaemia | |
| Susceptible to infections eg shingles | If lymphoma is crowding out the bone marrow |
| Reddened patches on the skin | Can occur if lymphoma cells localised there causing inflammation |
Often there are no symptoms present, generally they are of a non-specific nature making diagnosis difficult.