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2012年9月22日 星期六

An Examination of Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma


Cancer is a life-threatening disease that is prevalent in our time. One of which is known as non-Hodgkins lymphoma or NHL. It is a cancer that affects the lymphatic system and develops in the lymphoid tissue, which contain lymphocytes that are found all over the body. The lymphatic system is part of our immune system, and contains two basic types of lymphocytes. B lymphocytes manufacture antibodies that protect your body against bacteria and viruses by attracting white blood cells that devour them.

Tlymphocytes on the other hand destroy cancer cells as well as viruses, fungi, and bacteria. They produce a chemical called cytokinesis which attracts white blood cells to help destroy harmful microorganisms. Research posted at http://www.cancer.org by the Cancer Society claims that non-Hodgkins lymphoma develop from B lymphocytes 85% of the time, and the remaining 15% from T lymphocytes.

Since lymphoid tissue is found in all the areas of the body, non-Hodgkins lymphoma can originate almost anywhere in the body. It commonly develops on the lymph nodes, spleen, digestive tract, and tonsils. Diagnosis can be difficult because there are at least thirty different types of lymphoma. It is a fast growing type of cancer that can spread quickly if not diagnosed immediately. Treatment depends on which type of non-Hodgkins lymphoma is present, the rate that it is growing, or if it has infected surrounding tissues.

Since every case of non-Hodgkins lymphoma is unique, treatment is often difficult and complicated. Treatment used on one case may not necessarily work on another. It is safer to obtain a second opinion before any treatment should begin. This is important especially if there are questions or doubts about the recommendations being made.

Before undergoing any major treatment or surgery consider getting a second opinion as it may spell the difference between death and a full recovery. Visit the American Cancer Society at http://www.cancer.org, the National Caner Institute at http://www.cancer.gov, and [http://www.lymphomafocus.org], for more information on non-Hodgkins lymphoma. These websites offer critical information on signs and symptoms, early diagnosis, and various treatments and interventions.




Morgan Hamilton offers expert advice and great tips regarding all aspects concerning research. Learn more at Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma





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2012年9月17日 星期一

What is Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma?


Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma is a classification of certain types of lymphoma that do not fall under the Hodgkin's disease category. This disease is a condition where malignant cells originate and accumulate in the lymphatic system. The lymphatic system is comprised the lymph, lymph vessels, lymph nodes, the bone marrow and the spleen. The lymph is the fluid that circulates around the lymphatic system, and carries all the anti-bodies that fight microbes or pathogens.

The lymph vessels are the path in which the lymph travels to reach certain parts and tissues. When there are pathogens found in the body, the lymphatic system collects them in the lymph nodes for destruction, as well as to "remember" the type of pathogen so the immune system will respond quickly and swiftly the next time it infects the person. The bone marrow and the spleen are both responsible for producing different types of blood cells and anti-bodies that help filter the blood and clear it of pathogens.

In Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma the malignancy is seen in the B-lymphocytes. These cells mutate in form and number, rendering them incapable of maintaining the immune system. The build-up often causes a growth in the lymph node or tissue where they are located. The malignancies are grouped -according to how fast the malignancy spreads - low grade, intermediate grade, and high grade. This grading system is used to determine how the malignancy would be treated.

The cause of Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma is still unknown. However, certain risk factors are identified that would predispose a person to this condition:

* Condition in which the immune system is weakened such as taking immuno-suppresants after transplant surgery.

* Infections that affect the immune system such as:

- HIV or AIDS

- Epstein-Barr virus - this virus is connected to the occurrence of Burkitt Lymphoma in Africa, a sub-type of Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma

- Helicobacter pylori - a pathogen responsible for many gastric ulcers

- Human T-cell leukemia or lymphoma virus type 1

Research is still being conducted regarding the connection of obesity to Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. And even though these risk factors are currently attributed to the disease, there are still some people who don't suffer Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma even though they are exposed to these conditions.




Need to learn more about Lymphoma? Be sure to check out Lymphoma Symptoms which contains in-depth information on Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma, symptoms, causes, treatment and much more.





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2012年9月15日 星期六

Everything You Need to Know About Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma


NHL is a malignant tumour that originates from the lymphatic system.

Let's give a brief introduction about the lymphatic system:

It consists of lymphoid organs (as bone marrow, thymus, lymph node) and lymph vessels. When a malignant tumour arises from the lymphatic system, it is called Lymphoma.

What are the causes of NHL?

The definite cause is unknown but it has been linked to some viruses and toxins as benzene and pesticides.

Now let's talk about a general simplified view of the mechanism of this cancer.

This cancer causes production of lots of abnormal lymphocytes. A normal lymphocyte has a life span but the abnormal one doesn't. These lymphocytes continue to grow and divide until they cause crowding of the lymph nodes. As a result, lymph nodes get enlarged.

Symptoms include:

- Painless enlarged nodes (usually cervical or supraclavicular nodes).

- Systemic symptoms as fever, night sweats and weight loss.

- Abdominal pain or swelling.

What are the risk factors?

Individuals who are old aged or taking immunosuppressive drugs or using insecticides are at a higher risk of developing Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma is classified according to "The Working Formulation" into:

- Low grade lymphoma

- Intermediate grade lymphoma

- High grade lymphoma

The treatment depends on the histological findings. In general, it may include radiation therapy, chemotherapy, total neck irradiation. Besides there is stem cell transplant. There are certain medications that can augment the body's ability to eliminate cancer cells.

Thank you for reading this article. We hope you benefited from it. Please spread the symptoms because it's incidence is increasing worldwide.




http://med50.blogspot.com/2010/11/non-hodgkins-lymphoma.html





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2012年9月11日 星期二

How Can non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma Be Detected?


Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma is a term that describes a group of over 30 subtypes of lymphoma, each of which grows and differentiates at a different rate and so responds differently to treatment. Even though the subtypes are all individual they exhibit very similar symptoms and so a list of common symptoms associated with lymphoma have been produced by doctors and researchers.

Primary Symptom

The primary symptom that suggests the presence of lymphoma is a painless swelling of the lymph glands. These can be found in a number of body areas however the main ones that can be felt with the hand are in the neck, just above the jaw line on either side of the throat, in the armpit area and in the groin. It may be that only one of these areas is affected and so lymphoma is often missed until the swelling grows and starts to become uncomfortable. Not every case of lymph gland swelling is caused by lymphoma and there are a number of other, less serious, conditions that can make the glands swell. Thus if you do experience any swelling you should not jump to the conclusion that you have cancer; it is much more likely to be due to a simple infection.

Other Symptoms

If non-Hodgkin's lymphoma is not detected early then there is the possibility that the cancerous cells will break away from the main site of growth and spread to secondary sites in the body. At this point the disease become systemic and obvious symptoms start to become apparent. These symptoms can include fever, night sweats, unexplained weight loss, abdominal distension and occasionally anemia. Anemia has its own set of symptoms including pale skin, tiredness, and chronic fatigue. Many of these symptoms are caused by the immune system response to the cancerous cells and they are often severe enough to cause the patient to consult a doctor.

Diagnosis

Once a doctor is consulted it is only a matter of time before a diagnosis of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma is made. A general physician will be able to diagnose possible lymphoma however the patient will be referred to a specialist so that a number of diagnostic tests can be carried out. Lymphoma can be confirmed using blood tests however more precise tests will then be needed in order to detect the exact type of lymphoma present, how fast it is growing and what stage it has reached. These additional tests will include CT and MRI scans of the main body areas i.e. the chest, abdomen and pelvis areas, x-rays and in severe cases a bone marrow biopsy.

Treatment

Once non-Hodgkin's lymphoma is detected and properly diagnosed then treatment will start soon after. The type of treatment that is recommended will depend on what stage the lymphoma has reached because some forms of treatment are useless against late stage cancer. In very advanced cases it may be that treatment is pointless and palliative care is all that can be offered. Thus it is important to consult a doctor as soon as possible if any of the symptoms mentioned above are felt, even if it is just to put the mind at ease.




For more information and resources on hodgkin's and non-hodgkin's lymphoma, other types of lymphoma, symptoms, causes of lymphoma [http://www.lymphomaresources.com/Causes-of-Lymphoma.html], treatment, medication, lymphoma research [http://www.lymphomaresources.com/Research.html], solutions and facts, visit Jeremy Parker's complete reference guide on lymphoma. Get your free copy of the "Lymphoma Information Guide" report at [http://www.LymphomaResources.com]





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2012年9月1日 星期六

Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma - Symptoms to Watch For


Non-Hodgkin lymphoma begins when a lymphocyte, usually a B cell, becomes abnormal. The abnormal cell then starts to divide to replicate itself. The new cells divide repeatedly making more abnormal cells. These abnormal cells don't die when they should, and don't protect the body from infections or other diseases. The buildup of extra cells often forms a growth or tumor.

Some symptoms to look out for are night sweats, swollen lymph nodes, loss of appetite, fever, chest pain, coughing, weakness and fatigue that does not disappear, swelling of the abdomen or feeling of fullness. Sometimes these symptoms are not cancer related. If symptoms persist beyond two weeks, you should consult a doctor. Your doctor will do a physical exam to check for swollen lymph nodes in your neck, the doctor also checks for swollen spleen, and liver.

A blood test will show whether there is an increase in white blood cells, a decrease in platelets, and other cells and substances such as lactate dehydrogenase, which lymphoma can cause a higher level of LDH in the underarms and groin.

A chest x-ray will be performed at this time as well, along with a biopsy. The only sure way to confirm lymphoma is by a biopsy. The doctor may order a excisional biopsy ( an entire lymph node) or an incisional biopsy (part of a lymph node). Removing the entire lymph node is best which can then be examined under a microscope.

There are many types of lymphoma, the most common types are diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, and follicular lymphoma.

Lymphoma is classified by how fast they grow. Indolent or low-grade lymphomas grow slowly, and cause few symptoms. Aggressive or intermediate-grade and high grade are fast growing and spreading lymphomas. They cause severe symptoms, and indolent lymphomas can quickly turn into aggressive lymphomas. It is always good to get a second opinion and advice about treatment.

My experience about this deadly disease through watching my mother wasting away and finally passing from it was disturbing to say the least. This type of cancer does not spread itself in the brain, but it does affect the brain. Although my mother also had dementia as well as lymphoma her long-term memories stayed quite clear. Her short-term memory was more affected.

Near the end of her aggressively spreading lymphoma she slept most of the time. Although this disease took the life of my mother, her spirits were high, and she never complained about the pain she was in, and it was severe pain. She was a Christian woman who practised her faith up to the end of her life.




Catharine Parks writes from true life experiences. She is a published author and invites you to escape into the world of life experiences seen through the eyes of humor, or life's downfalls, the escapades of pet heroism, or the titillating paranormal experiences that have affected her life and those around her.

Sit back in your favorite chair, relax and stop by her website to read her articles and short stories at http://catharineparks.blogspot.com/





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2012年8月30日 星期四

The Target Of The Treatment In Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma


Nowadays, cancer is one of the most serious problems in medicine.Specialists try to discover new treatments. In clinics, the patients with cancer that start a new treatment are closely followed. Physicians determine the optimal dose which have the minimal side effects and offers the most numerous chances of survival. Because doctors make often adjustments, the treatment given to the patients does not always match with the treatment that studies found it to be the most effective. That's why sometimes people receiving the treatment doesn't feel very well, even if that treatment is supposed to save their life. If the patients have to get chemotherapy it is very important to respect the recommended doses and schedule, and it is also important to know the reasons why this rules are not respected.

There are a lot of cases when different types of cancer, like breast cancer or even the Non- Hodgkin's lymphoma, are not correctly treated and it is not given the appropriate supportive therapy. It was proved that if those patients were treated appropriately and the treatment guidelines were followed, they would have a good chance of survival and possible cure.

The Non- Hodgkin's lymphoma is a very aggressive type of cancer or the most common type of lymphoma. In lymphomas are affected the lymph glands and nodes that are anywhere in the body. So this kind of cancer can occur everywhere in the body. There is also a Hodgkin's disease that can often occur in younger patients. The incidence of the Non- Hodgkin's lymphoma is bigger in older patients, most frequently around age 60, but latest it can occur in younger people too. There is no explanation why this is one of the cancers that affects more and more individuals over the last 20 years.

Even if it is a very aggressive form of cancer it is very responsive in treatment and potentially curable cancer, which is a resemblance with the Hodgkin's disease. An appropriate treatment can give the patients the chance to be cured and to live a normal life. This is justified for more than half of the patients.

So it was proved that the aggressive disease is more responsive to treatment which is a kind of a paradox which can be seen in many forms of rapidly growing cancers. The cells in this cancers are rapidly dividing, but they tend to be more responsive to treatment. The scientific explanation for this phenomenon is that the chemotherapy drugs are most active against rapidly growing cells.

The whole treatment in Non- Hodgkin's lymphoma can last for about four to five months. If there is an early stage disease, the patient may get a shorter course of chemotherapy. This method must be combined with radiation therapy to the affected area. Because the cancerous cells may be anywhere in the body the biggest part of the patients with cancer needs to be treated systemically with chemotherapy. Chemotherapy is a combination of four or five drugs. The whole treatment program can run over a period of about four to five months.

Even if this form of cancer is a curable one, there are people with Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma who being under-treated.

This under- treatment means a substantial dose reductions or treatment delays during their chemotherapy. This is one of the reasons why some of this patients presents side effects and they don't get cured. It was proved in clinical trials that patients who receive the appropriate treatment do better than patients whose treatment is compromised by reducing the doses or not respecting the schedule. So the chances of long-term survival and cure are influenced by the way the treatments are being given.

There are some situations when reductions in doses of the treatment are unavoidable. This happens when there are older patients, or patients with a higher stage of disease, patients who aren't able to care for themselves. in this circumstances the treatment have to be delayed too.

The best moment to give the appropriate treatment are the early stages of the disease. Preventative care is very important. Specifically treatment to boost low white blood cell counts caused by chemotherapy, are more likely to receive the dose on time and to receive fuller dose intensity than those patients who didn't receive these agents. There many reasons,not only cancer, for which patients received these medications from the beginning.

Another cause of under- treatment is the situations when the patient doesn't tolerate the chemotherapy the way it was expected to be. So it increases the concern about side effects. There are situations when the reduction in dose of the treatment is established from the very beginning, before the patient had received any kind of treatment. This is a conscious decision of the doctor who consult the patient and gets to the conclusion that he won't tolerate the chemotherapy well. Other reductions in doses of the treatment occurs after starting therapy, because of the side effects. In this case reducing the dose is a strategy to reduce the side effects of treatment. This has negative results because it is very sure that to this patients the disease will come back months or years later.

Supportive care is very important. Older patients, patients who have more intensive symptoms from their disease or a higher stage of disease, need a type of a more aggressive supportive care. If they are supported in a right way it is also recommended to be treated the same as younger patients are. This increases their chances to be cured.When giving the supportive care it is important to analyze the risk factors. This are the patient's age that can easily lead to more side effects or in the most cases determine the physician to reduce the doses or schedule of the treatment, even before starting it. Giving the right supportive care enables the patients at a higher risk to receive the full treatment.

Supportive care helps physicians and patients with cancer to control nausea, vomiting and infections that can result because of the low white blood cell count. These are one of the most common side effects of the toxicity of the chemotherapy. Supportive care includes treatments that can improve the blood counts and also reduce the risk of infection. So if the patients seem not to tolerate the chemotherapy well, it is recommended to use the supportive care and not to modify the doses and schedule in treatment. This way the patient will be allowed to go through the full program.

There are different kinds of treatments available and it is very important for the patients recently diagnosed Non- Hodgkin's lymphoma to ask an oncologist about the side effects of those treatments and what can be done to diminish and to prevent them. It is very important for this patients to get the full treatment and to know that the target is to minimize side effects and to increase the effects of the appropriate treatment.




For more resources about lymphoma please review http://www.lymphoma-center.com/mantle-cell-lymphoma.htm or http://www.lymphoma-center.com/cutaneous-t-cell-lymphoma.htm





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2012年8月29日 星期三

Appropriate Treatment - Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma's Cure?


How can cancer be treated? This is the most frequent question in medical research. New treatments are tested on patients under close observation of medical squads. It's a hard work for researchers who have to determine an optimal dose of the treatment for each patient, to guarantee them the lack of side effects but especially a chance of survival.

Researchers also talk about a breast cancer study that proved the beneficial effect of chemotherapy tested right after a surgical intervention. Positive results encouraged researchers to move on to another type of cancer, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, believing that appropriate treatment and observation can lead to a possible curing.

Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, meaning cancers of lymph glands, occurs around the older people, about the age of 60, but it can be discovered at almost any age. It's one of the most common types of lymphoma, the number of cases increasing from a year to another.

Chemotherapy could mean a chance for staying alive because its drugs have a faster and more active effect over rapidly growing cells.

The treatment for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma can be different from a patient to another depending especially on the stage of the disease. In early stages chemotherapy and radiation therapy could be enough for a fast curing. This can't be told for the most of the patients who need special treatment and attentively observation for at least four months.

Curing this type of cancer is not the biggest problem. The real problem is treatment that in most of the cases is delayed. This fact can compromise patient's health and survival chances.

Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma under-treatment is found at old patients, patients with high stage of disease, or underfed patients who often reduce medication or skip treatment.

Inappropriate treatment for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma is surely caused by the possible side-effects that can result during chemotherapy, or drug administration. Therefore, initial, the dose is reduced and after a good observation the treatment is changed for the patients who tolerate it.

Reducing treatment could mean as well for patients suffering from non-Hodgkin's lymphoma a comeback of the disease in a few years or even months.

An appropriate treatment is needed in every single case despite the age of the patient or his stage of disease, more than that these patients need a higher attention, a closer observation to lead to an optimal treatment.

Supportive care is what non-Hodgkin's lymphoma patients need to go through the full program without treatment delay or without dose reduction.

Optimizing the treatment should be the first thing for a doctor to have in mind when it comes to a non-Hodgkin's lymphoma patient and it should be a no side effects selection.




For more resources about lymphoma or even about mantle cell lymphoma please review this page http://www.lymphoma-center.com/mantle-cell-lymphoma.htm





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2012年8月27日 星期一

Hodgkin's Lymphoma Vs Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma


My introduction to lymphoma came one, quiet July afternoon in 2008 as I was sitting at my desk at work. My husband called. He had been feeling poorly for the last couple of weeks while we were on vacation and had just been to see the doctor.

"The doctor said I've got one of three things," he calmly reported. "But the only one I can remember is lymphoma." He went on to say that he was calling from a hospital bed where he had a few things stuck in and on him. (Before I lost control of my thoughts, I was reminded of an incident two years earlier. Then, my husband had left me a voice mail. The message went something like this: "My appendix burst. I'm in the hospital. You can stop by if you want to.")

Our life plummeted into the realm of conscious uncertainty. Non-medical people, we searched all over the Internet, talked to family, friends, friends of friends, doctors, etc., to find out everything we could about this kind of cancer.

Soon enough, we were reminded of the danger of Internet searches. There is almost too much information -- a lot of it is downright scary and some of it is ultimately inaccurate. Even without really understanding my husband's current condition, we were already contemplating the worst possible outcome.

Types of Lymphoma

There are two main types of lymphoma -- Hodgkin's Lymphoma (also called Hodgkin's Disease) and Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma. Both types develop in the lymphocytes, white blood cells that are an important part of the body's immune system. The two types have similarities, but there are definite distinctions.

Lymphocytes have two main cell types: B cells or T cells. With lymphoma, either the B cell or the T cell becomes abnormal; the first abnormal cell quickly divides and then subsequent abnormal cells divide, encroaching upon and destroying other lymphatic cells. And, while lymphoma originates in the body's lymphatic system, Hodgkin's Lymphoma and Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma can spread to bone marrow and other organs such as the liver and spleen.

Symptoms and Signs

My spouse had been complaining about aching, swollen lumps in his neck. He had also been having night sweats and fever. These are typical symptoms for both Hodgkin's Lymphoma and Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma. Other symptoms include breathing problems, fatigue, itching, unexplained weight loss, and swollen lumps in the armpits and/or groin.

The doctors told us it was not uncommon for either type of cancer to appear in adults in their 50's, but, typically, Hodgkin's Lymphoma appears in children and young adults. In contrast, the risk for developing Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma increases with age and typically appears between the ages of 40 and 70.

My husband, a seemingly healthy man who watched his diet and regularly exercised, was in his early 50's.

Diagnosis

After several tests, there was little doubt that my husband had lymphoma, but in order to treat it, the doctors needed to know exactly what type it was.

There are several diagnostic techniques used, either alone or in combination, to make the diagnosis between Hodgkin's Lymphoma and Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma. These include blood tests, thorough physical examinations, biopsies of bone marrow, and chest x-rays. The definitive test, however, is the tissue biopsy of part or all of an affected lymph node.

The hospital did a biopsy of one of the lumps on his neck on a Friday. The results would not be available until early the next week. So, it was back to the Internet to see what else we could learn and worry about. Meanwhile, my spouse was suffering and more painful lumps were fast appearing. Overwhelmed with both too much general and too little specific information, we waited for news from the lab.

Under the microscope, the presence of an abnormal B cell called the Reed-Sternberg cell, a particular kind of lymphocyte, indicates Hodgkin's Lymphoma. Diagnosis is not as easy for Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma; there are over 30 different types of Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma which include various types of cells and cell markers.

Finally, on Monday, we learned we were dealing with Anaplastic T cell Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma. At last, we knew the enemy.

Treatment

Now that we knew the type of cancer, we had all the usual questions about treatment. Chemo? Radiation? How long? How much?

Like all cancers, lymphoma is characterized by stages which define the extent or severity of the cancer, and treatment differs depending on the cell type and stage. Treatment for Hodgkin's Lymphoma can include radiotherapy, chemotherapy or a combination of the two. Stem cell or blood marrow transplantation can be recommended in more severe cases. Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma is typically treated with chemotherapy; on rare occasions, radiation alone or in combination with chemotherapy is utilized.

The type and severity of lymphoma determine the response to any particular treatment. Other treatments for lymphoma can include radioimmunotherapy or immunotherapy alone; surgery is rarely a treatment option.

In my spouse's case, he had Stage III (of I to IV with IV being the most severe) of an aggressive type of Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma. That meant hitting him hard and fast with chemotherapy. They began it almost immediately. The first treatment was excruciating and weakened him, but it provided great results. After a week, he was released with a treatment plan that included five additional chemotherapy sessions.

As we left the hospital, I remember watching my husband - stooped over, thinner by 30-some pounds, frail and weak - as he carefully got into the car in the parking lot. I wondered whether he would ever return to his vibrant, irreverent self.

Statistics for New Cases and Deaths

In 2008, my spouse was one of the estimated 74,340 people to be diagnosed with lymphoma. In that same year, it was estimated that 20,150 people with lymphoma would die. Staggering statistics that we couldn't seem to comprehend at the time.

The American Cancer Society's Facts & Figures 2010 lists the expected new cases and estimated deaths for men and women in the U.S. for 2010 for lymphoma as follows:

Estimated New Cancers (2010)


Hodgkin's Lymphoma - 8,490
Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma - 65,540

Estimated Cancer Deaths (2010)


Hodgkin's Lymphoma - 1,320
Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma - 20,210

Prognosis

According to the American Cancer Society, the 5-year survival rate for Hodgkin's Lymphoma is 85%; the 10-year survival rate is 81%. It is much tougher to pin down survival rates for Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma. Prognosis varies depending on the type of Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma, as well as other factors including the stage, the cell type, blood counts, other medical problems, etc.

Since his last chemotherapy treatment in November 2008, my husband's periodic scans have been clean and his prognosis is excellent. He's back to his old self, with only two visible scars (one from the biopsy and the other marking the location of the port used to administer chemotherapy), the scans, and doctor's appointments to remind us that life is tenuous.

While I continue to scour information about both types of lymphoma, my husband rarely, if ever, speaks about it, although he is conscientious about his scans. Looking back, the most angst-filled time during the entire ordeal was while we were waiting for the final diagnosis. After all, looking at the facts and figures, it would seem Hodgkin's Lymphoma might be the 'preferred' disease, but it was not that simple. It was never necessarily that we thought one type of lymphoma was more 'optimistic' than the other; we just desperately needed to know for treatment purposes. Besides, I believe there are too many other factors involved in survival, i.e., the severity, the treatment, response to treatment, etc., that overshadow any mere numbers linked to a particular type of disease. In fact, I honestly believe the most important factor is the patient's attitude.

In my husband's case, he just had lymphoma - didn't matter which to him. He just wanted to put it behind him. He went back to work as soon as he could and worked around his chemotherapy, taking little time off. He did not let cancer stop him, he did not let it define him and, unless he told you, you would never know.




Linda R. Prior is a freelance writer with over 25 years of writing experience. Find her at http://www.lindarprior.com.





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2012年8月25日 星期六

Ocular Lymphoma - A Major Indicator of Brain Involvement in Patients with Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma


Ocular lymphoma, also referred to as intraocular large cell lymphoma, is a subtype of Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma that primarily affects the central nervous system. The incidence of ocular lymphoma among the global population has known a pronounced decrease since 1960, although paradoxically it has slightly increased in the last few years. Although there isn't enough evidence to support this theory, medical scientists believe that the recently increased incidence of the disease is mainly caused by prolonged treatments with immuno-suppressing drugs. However, in the absence of conclusive findings, this supposition has been disregarded by most oncologists.

Ocular lymphoma has the highest incidence among the male gender, and predominantly affects people with ages over 50. The categories considered to present the highest risk of developing this subtype of lymphoma are patients diagnosed with AIDS, patients who have suffered complicated surgeries and persons with native impairments of the immune system - especially people affected by the Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome. The implication of lymphoma at ocular level generally occurs in the incipient stages of the disease at brain level. Recent studies have revealed that in the majority of cases, ocular symptoms precede the occurrence of symptoms at the central nervous system level.

Patients diagnosed with Non-Hogkin's Lymphoma at the level of the central nervous system may either present with intracranial nodules, meningeal or periventricular lesions, retinal affections or localized spinal malignant excrescences. Ocular lymphoma generally produces symptoms such as decreased vision, and inflammation of the eye. Despite the fact that ocular lymphoma may cause serious decreases in visual acuity and pronounced inflammation, pain is a rare symptom of this variety of lymphoma. Ocular lymphoma may at first affect only one eye, affecting both eyes in later stages of disease. Although this lymphoma subtype can be overcome with the aid of existing treatments, its occurrence often announces the occurrence of serious impairments at brain level, problems that are more difficult to cure. Thus, ocular lymphoma can be considered a major indicator for Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma at brain level, allowing doctors to timely intervene in order to minimize the development of further complications.

Patients with suspected ocular lymphoma need to go through a series of neurological investigations. The presence of symptoms such as headache, reduced vision, poor concentration, confusion or memory loss, corroborated with clinical signs of ocular lymphoma clearly point to involvement of the central nervous system in the disease. In order to slow down the progression of the lymphoma and to reduce the risks of complications, doctors often prescribe a series of medication treatments and therapies. Radiation therapy is generally recommended to patients with ocular lymphoma and in more severe cases, this form of therapy is combined with chemotherapeutic drugs.




So, if you want to find out more about non hodgkins lymphoma or even about mantle cell lymphoma please visit this link http://www.lymphoma-center.com/





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2012年8月24日 星期五

Treatments for Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma


When a patient has been diagnosed with non-Hodgkins lymphoma (NHL), treatment options will vary according to a number of different factors. Depending on the type of lymphoma, stage of progression at the time of diagnosis, rate of growth, age and demographics of the patient, and other factors as determined by a physician, a number of different treatments can be administered.

Sometimes, the best thing to do for non-Hodgkins lymphoma is to simply observe the disease's behavior without taking any remedial action. This is most common when "indolent" or slow-growing lymphomas are involved. A doctor may advise a patient to carefully note any new symptoms, or schedule an appointment if and when certain conditions occur. This is often called "watchful waiting" or "surveillance." Administering treatments such as radiation and chemotherapy too soon can be unhelpful, can create undesired side effects, and can also interfere with the physician's ability to accurately diagnose the disease or prescribe a course of action.

During periods of watchful waiting, a physician may instruct a patient to periodically report for different tests, such as X-rays, MRIs, CT (computerized tomography) scans, blood panels, and biopsies. A physician may also provide a specific list of symptoms for a patient to note or observe. While lymphoma patients can understandably be eager to rid themselves of the disease, aggressive treatment is simply not appropriate for all cases. There are some types of non-Hodgkins lymphoma that do not respond favorably to traditional cancer treatments, and in these cases, aggressive action will make no real difference. A doctor's expertise is of course required to assess the likelihood of treatment effectiveness.

Radiation therapy is often used for some types of non-Hodgkins lymphoma. Radiation often needs to be combined with chemotherapy in order to work effectively, but this varies according to the specific type of non-Hodgkins lymphoma that a patient might have. For instance, cutaneous T-cell lymphomas can sometimes be treated by radiation alone, particularly if they are "indolent" or slow-growing in nature, whereas aggressively-growing lymphomas that have spread throughout the lymphatic system may require a battery of different therapies.

Radiation therapy, also sometimes called radiotherapy, usually involves the use of high-powered X-rays, applied to a specific area of the body. This process is done under the guidance of a radiation oncologist, or a doctor who specializes in using radiation to eliminate cancerous cells from the body. Most types of cancer are particularly vulnerable to X-ray radiation, more so than normal healthy cells. X-rays will kill some of a patient's healthy cells, therefore, but at a slower rate than it kills cancer cells. Some types of non-Hodgkins lymphoma can be sent into remission for years as a result of repeated doses of radiation applied to the infected areas. However, this is not always sufficient, particularly for late-stage cancers that have spread.

Chemotherapy ("chemo") is sometimes used to combat non-Hodgkins lymphoma, as well as other cancers. Chemotherapy is a generic term that simply refers to the administration of medicine as part of a treatment. Therefore, chemotherapy can be prescribed for many different reasons. Sometimes, chemo drugs are used only to mitigate the side effects of radiation therapy, whereas in other cases, chemo is used to directly combat cancerous cells.




Every patient requires a unique treatment plan. There is no one-size-fits-all solution for non-Hodgkins lymphoma; it is a complex disease that affects different people in different ways. The best treatment option for one patient is less than effective for someone else. In addition, the disease's progression may require numerous changes to the treatment plan, particularly if the cancer does not respond as expected to initial treatments. Patients who have been diagnosed with non-Hodgkins lymphoma should research different treatment options that are available and ask their physicians about each one.





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2012年8月22日 星期三

Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma - What Increases Your Risk?


Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) is diverse group of cancers of lymphatic system which is part of human immune system. The lymphatic system includes lymph vessels, lymph nodes, lymph, tonsils, thymus and spleen. Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma is most commonly detected in older adults in the age groups of 60s and 70s.

There are no known causes for development of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma however medical experts believe that disorders in immune system and older age may increase your chance of having the disease. Research is going on all the time to try to find out other causes that led to the development of this disease.

The following risk factors may increase your chance of acquiring this disease:

Being Male: Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma is more common in males than in women.

Age: Though NHL can occur at any age but risk increases as ones age progresses. It is most commonly found in people above 60 years of age.

Past cancer treatment: Past cancer treatment can affect your risk of NHL two-fold. Some chemotherapy drugs can increase your risk of getting NHL 10 to 15 years after treatment. Having radiotherapy in the past also increases your risk of acquiring NHL.

Weakened immune system: NHL is most commonly found in those people whose immune system does not work properly. These include HIV and AIDS patients. It also occurs among those people who take medicines that impair the immune system following an organ transplant.

Viral infection: Infection with virus called 'Human T cell Lymphoma virus 1 (HTLV1), hepatitis's C, and Epstein-Barr Virus increase the risk of developing NHL.

Bacterial infection: The bacteria called "Helicobacter pylori" increases the risk of Lymphoma called MALT (mucosa associated lymphoid tissue) lymphoma. This type of lymphoma is usually located in stomach lining.

Environmental Exposure: Exposure to insecticide and pesticide, solvents, rubber processing, asbestos, arsenic, nuclear waste and fertilizers increases the risk of developing NHL.




Pauline Go is an online leading expert in the medical industry. She also offers top quality articles like:
Incurable Diseases, Bird Flu Prevention





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2012年8月20日 星期一

Monoclonal Antibody - Alternatives for Treating Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma


Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma or NHL is a serious affection which occurs due to the presence of B cells (B lymophocytes), a type of white blood cells which usually lead to severe complications such as tumors. Even though, treatments with chemotherapy and radiation are considered effective for many people who suffer from NHL, on the other hand for many pantients these procedures can be very toxic.

In addition to this, specialists have developed in the laboratories a new theraphy to treat NHL, a theraphy known as Monoclonal-antibody which has been proved to be safe and effective for certain patients. As we know the body produces antibodies, substances which have the role to fight against bacteria and viruses. Moreover, monoclonal antibodies have been produced in laboratories like many other antibodies and have the role in producing anti-tumor effects. Since most NHL patients have B cells, treatment with monoclonal-antibodies has brought important results in healing lymphoma and much more they have been prescribed with other toxin or radioactive particles that usually kill cells.

Furthermore, monoclonal antibody treatments usually include medications as Rituxan or Bexxar. First of all, treatments with Rituxan are considered very effective for people who suffer from NHL and may be used for other types of lymphomas too. Rituxan is the only monoclonal antibody treatment approved for NHL and most of the time has been studied in patients that have relapsed low grade NHL. Moreover, it can be taken without other medicines and it is usually given intravenously once a week for 4 weeks. In contrast to other procedures, Rituxin doesn't offer serious side effects such as hair loss, vomiting, and low blood counts.

Secondly, another monoclonal antibody which is being tested in laboratories is Bexxar. This medicine is a murine monoclonal antibody and doesn't have a naked form due to the presence of a radiocative iodine molecule which is attached to it. Just like Rituxan, this agent is administered intravenous with the first dose having a trace amount of radioactivity and the second dose containing most of the radioactive iodine. On the other hand, Bexxar has some negative aspects, such as fever, chills or shakes and in some cases NHL patients may have temporary drop in blood counts.

Thirdly, another monoclonal antibody which has been studied as NHL treatments is Oncolym. This agent has been studied in a radiolabeled form like Bexxar and has proved to be toxic like other radiolabeled antibodies. In contrast, LL2 is a humanized antibody, using a naked, unlabeled form as well as a radiolabeled form.

To conclude, monoclonal antibodies can be very effective in treating NHL due to their low toxicity and also the advantage of combining them with each other and also by using them in combination with chemotherapy or other procedures. It is important to say that people who suffer from NHL should be aware of their condition and become well-informed in order to follow the suitable treatment.




So, if you want to find out more about non hodgkins lymphoma or even about mantle cell lymphoma please visit this link http://www.lymphoma-center.com/





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2012年8月13日 星期一

How Can non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma Be Detected?


Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma is a term that describes a group of over 30 subtypes of lymphoma, each of which grows and differentiates at a different rate and so responds differently to treatment. Even though the subtypes are all individual they exhibit very similar symptoms and so a list of common symptoms associated with lymphoma have been produced by doctors and researchers.

Primary Symptom

The primary symptom that suggests the presence of lymphoma is a painless swelling of the lymph glands. These can be found in a number of body areas however the main ones that can be felt with the hand are in the neck, just above the jaw line on either side of the throat, in the armpit area and in the groin. It may be that only one of these areas is affected and so lymphoma is often missed until the swelling grows and starts to become uncomfortable. Not every case of lymph gland swelling is caused by lymphoma and there are a number of other, less serious, conditions that can make the glands swell. Thus if you do experience any swelling you should not jump to the conclusion that you have cancer; it is much more likely to be due to a simple infection.

Other Symptoms

If non-Hodgkin's lymphoma is not detected early then there is the possibility that the cancerous cells will break away from the main site of growth and spread to secondary sites in the body. At this point the disease become systemic and obvious symptoms start to become apparent. These symptoms can include fever, night sweats, unexplained weight loss, abdominal distension and occasionally anemia. Anemia has its own set of symptoms including pale skin, tiredness, and chronic fatigue. Many of these symptoms are caused by the immune system response to the cancerous cells and they are often severe enough to cause the patient to consult a doctor.

Diagnosis

Once a doctor is consulted it is only a matter of time before a diagnosis of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma is made. A general physician will be able to diagnose possible lymphoma however the patient will be referred to a specialist so that a number of diagnostic tests can be carried out. Lymphoma can be confirmed using blood tests however more precise tests will then be needed in order to detect the exact type of lymphoma present, how fast it is growing and what stage it has reached. These additional tests will include CT and MRI scans of the main body areas i.e. the chest, abdomen and pelvis areas, x-rays and in severe cases a bone marrow biopsy.

Treatment

Once non-Hodgkin's lymphoma is detected and properly diagnosed then treatment will start soon after. The type of treatment that is recommended will depend on what stage the lymphoma has reached because some forms of treatment are useless against late stage cancer. In very advanced cases it may be that treatment is pointless and palliative care is all that can be offered. Thus it is important to consult a doctor as soon as possible if any of the symptoms mentioned above are felt, even if it is just to put the mind at ease.




For more information and resources on hodgkin's and non-hodgkin's lymphoma, other types of lymphoma, symptoms, causes of lymphoma [http://www.lymphomaresources.com/Causes-of-Lymphoma.html], treatment, medication, lymphoma research [http://www.lymphomaresources.com/Research.html], solutions and facts, visit Jeremy Parker's complete reference guide on lymphoma. Get your free copy of the "Lymphoma Information Guide" report at [http://www.LymphomaResources.com]





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2012年8月10日 星期五

What is Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma?


Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma is a classification of certain types of lymphoma that do not fall under the Hodgkin's disease category. This disease is a condition where malignant cells originate and accumulate in the lymphatic system. The lymphatic system is comprised the lymph, lymph vessels, lymph nodes, the bone marrow and the spleen. The lymph is the fluid that circulates around the lymphatic system, and carries all the anti-bodies that fight microbes or pathogens.

The lymph vessels are the path in which the lymph travels to reach certain parts and tissues. When there are pathogens found in the body, the lymphatic system collects them in the lymph nodes for destruction, as well as to "remember" the type of pathogen so the immune system will respond quickly and swiftly the next time it infects the person. The bone marrow and the spleen are both responsible for producing different types of blood cells and anti-bodies that help filter the blood and clear it of pathogens.

In Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma the malignancy is seen in the B-lymphocytes. These cells mutate in form and number, rendering them incapable of maintaining the immune system. The build-up often causes a growth in the lymph node or tissue where they are located. The malignancies are grouped -according to how fast the malignancy spreads - low grade, intermediate grade, and high grade. This grading system is used to determine how the malignancy would be treated.

The cause of Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma is still unknown. However, certain risk factors are identified that would predispose a person to this condition:

* Condition in which the immune system is weakened such as taking immuno-suppresants after transplant surgery.

* Infections that affect the immune system such as:

- HIV or AIDS

- Epstein-Barr virus - this virus is connected to the occurrence of Burkitt Lymphoma in Africa, a sub-type of Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma

- Helicobacter pylori - a pathogen responsible for many gastric ulcers

- Human T-cell leukemia or lymphoma virus type 1

Research is still being conducted regarding the connection of obesity to Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. And even though these risk factors are currently attributed to the disease, there are still some people who don't suffer Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma even though they are exposed to these conditions.




Need to learn more about Lymphoma? Be sure to check out Lymphoma Symptoms which contains in-depth information on Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma, symptoms, causes, treatment and much more.





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2012年8月4日 星期六

An Examination of Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma


Cancer is a life-threatening disease that is prevalent in our time. One of which is known as non-Hodgkins lymphoma or NHL. It is a cancer that affects the lymphatic system and develops in the lymphoid tissue, which contain lymphocytes that are found all over the body. The lymphatic system is part of our immune system, and contains two basic types of lymphocytes. B lymphocytes manufacture antibodies that protect your body against bacteria and viruses by attracting white blood cells that devour them.

Tlymphocytes on the other hand destroy cancer cells as well as viruses, fungi, and bacteria. They produce a chemical called cytokinesis which attracts white blood cells to help destroy harmful microorganisms. Research posted at http://www.cancer.org by the Cancer Society claims that non-Hodgkins lymphoma develop from B lymphocytes 85% of the time, and the remaining 15% from T lymphocytes.

Since lymphoid tissue is found in all the areas of the body, non-Hodgkins lymphoma can originate almost anywhere in the body. It commonly develops on the lymph nodes, spleen, digestive tract, and tonsils. Diagnosis can be difficult because there are at least thirty different types of lymphoma. It is a fast growing type of cancer that can spread quickly if not diagnosed immediately. Treatment depends on which type of non-Hodgkins lymphoma is present, the rate that it is growing, or if it has infected surrounding tissues.

Since every case of non-Hodgkins lymphoma is unique, treatment is often difficult and complicated. Treatment used on one case may not necessarily work on another. It is safer to obtain a second opinion before any treatment should begin. This is important especially if there are questions or doubts about the recommendations being made.

Before undergoing any major treatment or surgery consider getting a second opinion as it may spell the difference between death and a full recovery. Visit the American Cancer Society at http://www.cancer.org, the National Caner Institute at http://www.cancer.gov, and [http://www.lymphomafocus.org], for more information on non-Hodgkins lymphoma. These websites offer critical information on signs and symptoms, early diagnosis, and various treatments and interventions.




Morgan Hamilton offers expert advice and great tips regarding all aspects concerning research. Learn more at Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma





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2012年8月1日 星期三

Everything You Need to Know About Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma


NHL is a malignant tumour that originates from the lymphatic system.

Let's give a brief introduction about the lymphatic system:

It consists of lymphoid organs (as bone marrow, thymus, lymph node) and lymph vessels. When a malignant tumour arises from the lymphatic system, it is called Lymphoma.

What are the causes of NHL?

The definite cause is unknown but it has been linked to some viruses and toxins as benzene and pesticides.

Now let's talk about a general simplified view of the mechanism of this cancer.

This cancer causes production of lots of abnormal lymphocytes. A normal lymphocyte has a life span but the abnormal one doesn't. These lymphocytes continue to grow and divide until they cause crowding of the lymph nodes. As a result, lymph nodes get enlarged.

Symptoms include:

- Painless enlarged nodes (usually cervical or supraclavicular nodes).

- Systemic symptoms as fever, night sweats and weight loss.

- Abdominal pain or swelling.

What are the risk factors?

Individuals who are old aged or taking immunosuppressive drugs or using insecticides are at a higher risk of developing Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma is classified according to "The Working Formulation" into:

- Low grade lymphoma

- Intermediate grade lymphoma

- High grade lymphoma

The treatment depends on the histological findings. In general, it may include radiation therapy, chemotherapy, total neck irradiation. Besides there is stem cell transplant. There are certain medications that can augment the body's ability to eliminate cancer cells.

Thank you for reading this article. We hope you benefited from it. Please spread the symptoms because it's incidence is increasing worldwide.




http://med50.blogspot.com/2010/11/non-hodgkins-lymphoma.html





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2012年7月25日 星期三

Ocular Lymphoma - A Major Indicator of Brain Involvement in Patients with Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma


Ocular lymphoma, also referred to as intraocular large cell lymphoma, is a subtype of Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma that primarily affects the central nervous system. The incidence of ocular lymphoma among the global population has known a pronounced decrease since 1960, although paradoxically it has slightly increased in the last few years. Although there isn't enough evidence to support this theory, medical scientists believe that the recently increased incidence of the disease is mainly caused by prolonged treatments with immuno-suppressing drugs. However, in the absence of conclusive findings, this supposition has been disregarded by most oncologists.

Ocular lymphoma has the highest incidence among the male gender, and predominantly affects people with ages over 50. The categories considered to present the highest risk of developing this subtype of lymphoma are patients diagnosed with AIDS, patients who have suffered complicated surgeries and persons with native impairments of the immune system - especially people affected by the Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome. The implication of lymphoma at ocular level generally occurs in the incipient stages of the disease at brain level. Recent studies have revealed that in the majority of cases, ocular symptoms precede the occurrence of symptoms at the central nervous system level.

Patients diagnosed with Non-Hogkin's Lymphoma at the level of the central nervous system may either present with intracranial nodules, meningeal or periventricular lesions, retinal affections or localized spinal malignant excrescences. Ocular lymphoma generally produces symptoms such as decreased vision, and inflammation of the eye. Despite the fact that ocular lymphoma may cause serious decreases in visual acuity and pronounced inflammation, pain is a rare symptom of this variety of lymphoma. Ocular lymphoma may at first affect only one eye, affecting both eyes in later stages of disease. Although this lymphoma subtype can be overcome with the aid of existing treatments, its occurrence often announces the occurrence of serious impairments at brain level, problems that are more difficult to cure. Thus, ocular lymphoma can be considered a major indicator for Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma at brain level, allowing doctors to timely intervene in order to minimize the development of further complications.

Patients with suspected ocular lymphoma need to go through a series of neurological investigations. The presence of symptoms such as headache, reduced vision, poor concentration, confusion or memory loss, corroborated with clinical signs of ocular lymphoma clearly point to involvement of the central nervous system in the disease. In order to slow down the progression of the lymphoma and to reduce the risks of complications, doctors often prescribe a series of medication treatments and therapies. Radiation therapy is generally recommended to patients with ocular lymphoma and in more severe cases, this form of therapy is combined with chemotherapeutic drugs.




So, if you want to find out more about non hodgkins lymphoma or even about mantle cell lymphoma please visit this link http://www.lymphoma-center.com/





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2012年7月19日 星期四

Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma - What Increases Your Risk?


Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) is diverse group of cancers of lymphatic system which is part of human immune system. The lymphatic system includes lymph vessels, lymph nodes, lymph, tonsils, thymus and spleen. Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma is most commonly detected in older adults in the age groups of 60s and 70s.

There are no known causes for development of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma however medical experts believe that disorders in immune system and older age may increase your chance of having the disease. Research is going on all the time to try to find out other causes that led to the development of this disease.

The following risk factors may increase your chance of acquiring this disease:

Being Male: Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma is more common in males than in women.

Age: Though NHL can occur at any age but risk increases as ones age progresses. It is most commonly found in people above 60 years of age.

Past cancer treatment: Past cancer treatment can affect your risk of NHL two-fold. Some chemotherapy drugs can increase your risk of getting NHL 10 to 15 years after treatment. Having radiotherapy in the past also increases your risk of acquiring NHL.

Weakened immune system: NHL is most commonly found in those people whose immune system does not work properly. These include HIV and AIDS patients. It also occurs among those people who take medicines that impair the immune system following an organ transplant.

Viral infection: Infection with virus called 'Human T cell Lymphoma virus 1 (HTLV1), hepatitis's C, and Epstein-Barr Virus increase the risk of developing NHL.

Bacterial infection: The bacteria called "Helicobacter pylori" increases the risk of Lymphoma called MALT (mucosa associated lymphoid tissue) lymphoma. This type of lymphoma is usually located in stomach lining.

Environmental Exposure: Exposure to insecticide and pesticide, solvents, rubber processing, asbestos, arsenic, nuclear waste and fertilizers increases the risk of developing NHL.




Pauline Go is an online leading expert in the medical industry. She also offers top quality articles like:
Incurable Diseases, Bird Flu Prevention





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2012年7月18日 星期三

The Target Of The Treatment In Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma


Nowadays, cancer is one of the most serious problems in medicine.Specialists try to discover new treatments. In clinics, the patients with cancer that start a new treatment are closely followed. Physicians determine the optimal dose which have the minimal side effects and offers the most numerous chances of survival. Because doctors make often adjustments, the treatment given to the patients does not always match with the treatment that studies found it to be the most effective. That's why sometimes people receiving the treatment doesn't feel very well, even if that treatment is supposed to save their life. If the patients have to get chemotherapy it is very important to respect the recommended doses and schedule, and it is also important to know the reasons why this rules are not respected.

There are a lot of cases when different types of cancer, like breast cancer or even the Non- Hodgkin's lymphoma, are not correctly treated and it is not given the appropriate supportive therapy. It was proved that if those patients were treated appropriately and the treatment guidelines were followed, they would have a good chance of survival and possible cure.

The Non- Hodgkin's lymphoma is a very aggressive type of cancer or the most common type of lymphoma. In lymphomas are affected the lymph glands and nodes that are anywhere in the body. So this kind of cancer can occur everywhere in the body. There is also a Hodgkin's disease that can often occur in younger patients. The incidence of the Non- Hodgkin's lymphoma is bigger in older patients, most frequently around age 60, but latest it can occur in younger people too. There is no explanation why this is one of the cancers that affects more and more individuals over the last 20 years.

Even if it is a very aggressive form of cancer it is very responsive in treatment and potentially curable cancer, which is a resemblance with the Hodgkin's disease. An appropriate treatment can give the patients the chance to be cured and to live a normal life. This is justified for more than half of the patients.

So it was proved that the aggressive disease is more responsive to treatment which is a kind of a paradox which can be seen in many forms of rapidly growing cancers. The cells in this cancers are rapidly dividing, but they tend to be more responsive to treatment. The scientific explanation for this phenomenon is that the chemotherapy drugs are most active against rapidly growing cells.

The whole treatment in Non- Hodgkin's lymphoma can last for about four to five months. If there is an early stage disease, the patient may get a shorter course of chemotherapy. This method must be combined with radiation therapy to the affected area. Because the cancerous cells may be anywhere in the body the biggest part of the patients with cancer needs to be treated systemically with chemotherapy. Chemotherapy is a combination of four or five drugs. The whole treatment program can run over a period of about four to five months.

Even if this form of cancer is a curable one, there are people with Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma who being under-treated.

This under- treatment means a substantial dose reductions or treatment delays during their chemotherapy. This is one of the reasons why some of this patients presents side effects and they don't get cured. It was proved in clinical trials that patients who receive the appropriate treatment do better than patients whose treatment is compromised by reducing the doses or not respecting the schedule. So the chances of long-term survival and cure are influenced by the way the treatments are being given.

There are some situations when reductions in doses of the treatment are unavoidable. This happens when there are older patients, or patients with a higher stage of disease, patients who aren't able to care for themselves. in this circumstances the treatment have to be delayed too.

The best moment to give the appropriate treatment are the early stages of the disease. Preventative care is very important. Specifically treatment to boost low white blood cell counts caused by chemotherapy, are more likely to receive the dose on time and to receive fuller dose intensity than those patients who didn't receive these agents. There many reasons,not only cancer, for which patients received these medications from the beginning.

Another cause of under- treatment is the situations when the patient doesn't tolerate the chemotherapy the way it was expected to be. So it increases the concern about side effects. There are situations when the reduction in dose of the treatment is established from the very beginning, before the patient had received any kind of treatment. This is a conscious decision of the doctor who consult the patient and gets to the conclusion that he won't tolerate the chemotherapy well. Other reductions in doses of the treatment occurs after starting therapy, because of the side effects. In this case reducing the dose is a strategy to reduce the side effects of treatment. This has negative results because it is very sure that to this patients the disease will come back months or years later.

Supportive care is very important. Older patients, patients who have more intensive symptoms from their disease or a higher stage of disease, need a type of a more aggressive supportive care. If they are supported in a right way it is also recommended to be treated the same as younger patients are. This increases their chances to be cured.When giving the supportive care it is important to analyze the risk factors. This are the patient's age that can easily lead to more side effects or in the most cases determine the physician to reduce the doses or schedule of the treatment, even before starting it. Giving the right supportive care enables the patients at a higher risk to receive the full treatment.

Supportive care helps physicians and patients with cancer to control nausea, vomiting and infections that can result because of the low white blood cell count. These are one of the most common side effects of the toxicity of the chemotherapy. Supportive care includes treatments that can improve the blood counts and also reduce the risk of infection. So if the patients seem not to tolerate the chemotherapy well, it is recommended to use the supportive care and not to modify the doses and schedule in treatment. This way the patient will be allowed to go through the full program.

There are different kinds of treatments available and it is very important for the patients recently diagnosed Non- Hodgkin's lymphoma to ask an oncologist about the side effects of those treatments and what can be done to diminish and to prevent them. It is very important for this patients to get the full treatment and to know that the target is to minimize side effects and to increase the effects of the appropriate treatment.




For more resources about lymphoma please review http://www.lymphoma-center.com/mantle-cell-lymphoma.htm or http://www.lymphoma-center.com/cutaneous-t-cell-lymphoma.htm





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2012年7月15日 星期日

Hodgkin's Lymphoma Vs Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma


My introduction to lymphoma came one, quiet July afternoon in 2008 as I was sitting at my desk at work. My husband called. He had been feeling poorly for the last couple of weeks while we were on vacation and had just been to see the doctor.

"The doctor said I've got one of three things," he calmly reported. "But the only one I can remember is lymphoma." He went on to say that he was calling from a hospital bed where he had a few things stuck in and on him. (Before I lost control of my thoughts, I was reminded of an incident two years earlier. Then, my husband had left me a voice mail. The message went something like this: "My appendix burst. I'm in the hospital. You can stop by if you want to.")

Our life plummeted into the realm of conscious uncertainty. Non-medical people, we searched all over the Internet, talked to family, friends, friends of friends, doctors, etc., to find out everything we could about this kind of cancer.

Soon enough, we were reminded of the danger of Internet searches. There is almost too much information -- a lot of it is downright scary and some of it is ultimately inaccurate. Even without really understanding my husband's current condition, we were already contemplating the worst possible outcome.

Types of Lymphoma

There are two main types of lymphoma -- Hodgkin's Lymphoma (also called Hodgkin's Disease) and Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma. Both types develop in the lymphocytes, white blood cells that are an important part of the body's immune system. The two types have similarities, but there are definite distinctions.

Lymphocytes have two main cell types: B cells or T cells. With lymphoma, either the B cell or the T cell becomes abnormal; the first abnormal cell quickly divides and then subsequent abnormal cells divide, encroaching upon and destroying other lymphatic cells. And, while lymphoma originates in the body's lymphatic system, Hodgkin's Lymphoma and Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma can spread to bone marrow and other organs such as the liver and spleen.

Symptoms and Signs

My spouse had been complaining about aching, swollen lumps in his neck. He had also been having night sweats and fever. These are typical symptoms for both Hodgkin's Lymphoma and Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma. Other symptoms include breathing problems, fatigue, itching, unexplained weight loss, and swollen lumps in the armpits and/or groin.

The doctors told us it was not uncommon for either type of cancer to appear in adults in their 50's, but, typically, Hodgkin's Lymphoma appears in children and young adults. In contrast, the risk for developing Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma increases with age and typically appears between the ages of 40 and 70.

My husband, a seemingly healthy man who watched his diet and regularly exercised, was in his early 50's.

Diagnosis

After several tests, there was little doubt that my husband had lymphoma, but in order to treat it, the doctors needed to know exactly what type it was.

There are several diagnostic techniques used, either alone or in combination, to make the diagnosis between Hodgkin's Lymphoma and Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma. These include blood tests, thorough physical examinations, biopsies of bone marrow, and chest x-rays. The definitive test, however, is the tissue biopsy of part or all of an affected lymph node.

The hospital did a biopsy of one of the lumps on his neck on a Friday. The results would not be available until early the next week. So, it was back to the Internet to see what else we could learn and worry about. Meanwhile, my spouse was suffering and more painful lumps were fast appearing. Overwhelmed with both too much general and too little specific information, we waited for news from the lab.

Under the microscope, the presence of an abnormal B cell called the Reed-Sternberg cell, a particular kind of lymphocyte, indicates Hodgkin's Lymphoma. Diagnosis is not as easy for Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma; there are over 30 different types of Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma which include various types of cells and cell markers.

Finally, on Monday, we learned we were dealing with Anaplastic T cell Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma. At last, we knew the enemy.

Treatment

Now that we knew the type of cancer, we had all the usual questions about treatment. Chemo? Radiation? How long? How much?

Like all cancers, lymphoma is characterized by stages which define the extent or severity of the cancer, and treatment differs depending on the cell type and stage. Treatment for Hodgkin's Lymphoma can include radiotherapy, chemotherapy or a combination of the two. Stem cell or blood marrow transplantation can be recommended in more severe cases. Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma is typically treated with chemotherapy; on rare occasions, radiation alone or in combination with chemotherapy is utilized.

The type and severity of lymphoma determine the response to any particular treatment. Other treatments for lymphoma can include radioimmunotherapy or immunotherapy alone; surgery is rarely a treatment option.

In my spouse's case, he had Stage III (of I to IV with IV being the most severe) of an aggressive type of Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma. That meant hitting him hard and fast with chemotherapy. They began it almost immediately. The first treatment was excruciating and weakened him, but it provided great results. After a week, he was released with a treatment plan that included five additional chemotherapy sessions.

As we left the hospital, I remember watching my husband - stooped over, thinner by 30-some pounds, frail and weak - as he carefully got into the car in the parking lot. I wondered whether he would ever return to his vibrant, irreverent self.

Statistics for New Cases and Deaths

In 2008, my spouse was one of the estimated 74,340 people to be diagnosed with lymphoma. In that same year, it was estimated that 20,150 people with lymphoma would die. Staggering statistics that we couldn't seem to comprehend at the time.

The American Cancer Society's Facts & Figures 2010 lists the expected new cases and estimated deaths for men and women in the U.S. for 2010 for lymphoma as follows:

Estimated New Cancers (2010)


Hodgkin's Lymphoma - 8,490
Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma - 65,540

Estimated Cancer Deaths (2010)


Hodgkin's Lymphoma - 1,320
Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma - 20,210

Prognosis

According to the American Cancer Society, the 5-year survival rate for Hodgkin's Lymphoma is 85%; the 10-year survival rate is 81%. It is much tougher to pin down survival rates for Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma. Prognosis varies depending on the type of Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma, as well as other factors including the stage, the cell type, blood counts, other medical problems, etc.

Since his last chemotherapy treatment in November 2008, my husband's periodic scans have been clean and his prognosis is excellent. He's back to his old self, with only two visible scars (one from the biopsy and the other marking the location of the port used to administer chemotherapy), the scans, and doctor's appointments to remind us that life is tenuous.

While I continue to scour information about both types of lymphoma, my husband rarely, if ever, speaks about it, although he is conscientious about his scans. Looking back, the most angst-filled time during the entire ordeal was while we were waiting for the final diagnosis. After all, looking at the facts and figures, it would seem Hodgkin's Lymphoma might be the 'preferred' disease, but it was not that simple. It was never necessarily that we thought one type of lymphoma was more 'optimistic' than the other; we just desperately needed to know for treatment purposes. Besides, I believe there are too many other factors involved in survival, i.e., the severity, the treatment, response to treatment, etc., that overshadow any mere numbers linked to a particular type of disease. In fact, I honestly believe the most important factor is the patient's attitude.

In my husband's case, he just had lymphoma - didn't matter which to him. He just wanted to put it behind him. He went back to work as soon as he could and worked around his chemotherapy, taking little time off. He did not let cancer stop him, he did not let it define him and, unless he told you, you would never know.




Linda R. Prior is a freelance writer with over 25 years of writing experience. Find her at http://www.lindarprior.com.





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