Also known as cancer of the lymph nodes, lymphoma is a cancer of the lymphatic system that more specifically impacts the secondary lymphoid organs. Widely unknown, this pathology comes in a multiplicity of forms which are classified in particular according to the type of cancer cells. What is the lymphatic system used for? What are the causes of lymphoma? How do you recognize it? All the answers in this article.
What is the lymphatic system?
Responsible for the circulation of lymph, the lymphatic system transports the nutrients essential for the functioning of the various organs and tissues of the human body. But it also plays a major role in the immune system of the human organism. It is, in fact, via the lymphatic vessels that the cells responsible for destroying pathogens - white blood cells or lymphocytes - are transported. For their part, the lymph nodes perform filtration of the lymph, in collaboration with other organs such as the spleen or the thymus, in order to eliminate the various bacteria, viruses, and other microbes that it could have recovered. These “back bases” of the lymphatic system are located in the groin, abdomen, armpits, neck, or even elbows.
What is lymphoma due to?
Lymphoma results from the abnormal proliferation of lymphocytes, that is, certain white blood cells. By accumulating haphazardly, these form tumors that can be localized to different places in the lymphatic system. It can be lymph nodes or any other organ since lymph is present throughout the body. If the origin of lymphoma has not yet been scientifically proven, certain factors nevertheless seem to be involved in its occurrence. This is the case in particular:
- severe infection
- exposure to pesticides,
- chemotherapy,
- radiation,
- a disease of the immune system,
- administration of immunosuppressants
How to detect it?
The most characteristic symptom of lymphoma is the presence of a lump in an armpit, groin, neck, or an area that may contain a lymph node. Of course, not all lymph nodes are cancerous. It is advisable to consult when this painless mass is associated with fever, weight loss, excessive fatigue, cough, or breathing difficulties. The practice of a biopsy constitutes the only medical examination allowing the doctor to establish a definitive diagnosis and to determine the type of cancer.
The different types of lymphoma
Cancers of the lymphatic system are divided into two main families:
- non-Hodgkin's lymphomas: this most common form brings together around thirty different lymphomas. These are classified into two sub-categories. On the one hand, there are indolent lymphomas, which grow quite slowly, and on the other hand, aggressive lymphomas, which grow much faster.
- Hodgkin lymphomas: this type of cancer, also called Hodgkin's disease, results in the presence of Reed Stenberg cells which do not appear in other forms of lymphoma.
What treatment?
The therapeutic strategy for lymphoma depends essentially on its stage of development, its typicity as well as the general state of health of the patient. Chemotherapy remains the preferred first-line treatment since it eradicates cancer cells and, consequently, stops the multiplication process. Sometimes the doses given are so strong that they destroy the healthy cells in the bone marrow. Therefore, lymphoma patients sometimes have to undergo a transplant of blood stem cells from a close relative or the patient themselves. This is why cells are sometimes taken before treatment starts in anticipation of a possible autologous transplant.
0 Comments