The 10 Things You Need to Know about Lymphoma
What is Lymphoma?
Lymphoma is a cancer of the immune system, which has two forms: Hodgkin disease and non-Hodgkin lymphoma – each of which has many different subtypes.
How many people in the USA have lymphoma?
There are an estimated 845,076 people living with, or in remission from, lymphoma in the United States, according to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Here’s how it breaks down: • 191,423 people are living with or are in remission from Hodgkin lymphoma • 653,653 people are living with or are in remission from non-Hodgkin lymphoma
What causes lymphoma?
Here’s the deal, doctors don’t actually know what causes lymphoma. But there are some factors that can increase risk, like family history of the disease, or having an autoimmune condition. Other groups at increased risk include people who have been infected with viruses like HIV, Epstein-Barr, hepatitis C, and HTLV-1. There are also environmental risks, such as exposure to pesticides, fertilizers, and benzene – along with other organic solvents.
Is there a screening test?
No. At present no screening text exists for lymphoma. And to further muddy the water – many symptoms of lymphoma overlap with those for a plethora of other conditions. Among them fever, night sweats, chills, coughing, enlarged lymph nodes, chest pain, trouble breathing, weight loss, and fatigue.
How is lymphoma diagnosed then?
If you have symptoms of lymphoma, your doctor will perform a physical exam, do bloodwork, take a chest x-ray, and likely do a biopsy to make a definitive diagnosis.
6. Where does lymphoma start?
Lymphoma starts in our white blood cells, also called lymphocytes. These cells have two types: B lymphocytes, or B cells – which make infection fighting antibodies, and T lymphocytes, or T cells – which help kill microbes and tumor cells, and that also control our immune systems.
Is lymphoma treatable?
Hodgkin lymphoma is a highly curable form of cancer. The survival rate during the years 2004 to 2010 was nearly 88 percent — more than double the survival rate of 40 percent during 1960 to 1963, according to statistics from the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.
What advances have been made in treatment of lymphoma?
Oral medications are taking the place of chemotherapy and radiation in the treatment of lymphoma – making treatment far easier for those with the disease. For those with chronic lymphoma, this type of treatment is much more convenient and conducive to being able to go on living a more normal life.
Is treatment for lymphoma effective?
The good news? Treatment is very effective for lymphoma. There is far better understanding today of the disease and its various subtypes than even 10 years ago. And because specific markers that link to specific subtypes of lymphoma can be identified – cancer cells can be more specifically targeted. New drugs can be much more specific, and therefore be far more successful. Additionally – lymphoma treatment is well-tolerated.
What is the survival rate for lymphoma?
Hodgkins lymphoma is now considered to be one of the most curable forms of cancer, with the 5-year survival rate at 88.3% from 2007 to 2013. The 5-year survival rate for non-Hodgkin lymphoma is 73.3% for the same period of time.
