Lywphomas are malignant tumors of the lymph system, the network of nodes and glands that produce infection fighting substances. In the United States, there are about 58,000 new cases each year. The most common general symptom is a painless enlargement of one or more lymph nodes in the neck, groin, or armpit. Additional indications of Hodgkin's disease include a chronic low grade fever and night sweats. Some people with non Hodgkin's lymphoma also develop skin rashes, enlarged tonsils, and abdominal swelling. Although the cause of most lymphomas is unknown, some are strongly linked to viruses. In Africa, Burkitt's lymphoma is associated with the Epstein Barr virus and chromosomal abnormalities. In recent years, the AIDS :HIV) virus has been linked to a type of non Hodgkin's lymphoma.
Diagnostic Studies And Procedures
A doctor who suspects lymphoma will carefully palpate, or feel, all lymph nodes that lie close to the surface of the body. Any suspicious areas will be biopsied, which may entail removal of several lymph nodes. If Hodgkin's disease seems probable, diagnostic procedures may include laparotomy, in which a viewing tube is inserted through a small incision near the navel, allowing a doctor to collect tissue samples from abdominal organs that lymphoma often attacks. Lymphangiography may also be done. In this procedure, a radiopaque dye is injected into the lymph system where it reveals abnormalities under X-ray examination. If non Hodgkin's lymphoma is diagnosed, bone marrow studies and CT scans can detect any spread.
Medical Treatments
Until recently, most lymphomas were invariably fatal. Today, many can be cured, especially when treated early. Hodgkin's disease, for example, often responds to radiation therapy alone. Or the patient may undergo a combination of radiation and chemotherapy and possibly surgery. Hodgkin's disease is now one of the most treatable forms of cancer; 77 percent of patients are still living five years after the diagnosis. For non Hodgkin's lymphoma, radiation therapy is often employed. Chemotherapy may also be used, particularly if the disease has spread. When remission has been achieved, a bone marrow transplant may be tried. This involves destroying the patient's bone marrow with drugs or radiation and replacing it with healthy marrow from a donor. Marrow may also be collected from the patient during a remission, treated to destroy any lingering cancer cells, and then frozen for use later should there be a relapse. Marrow transplants may cure lymphoma, but there is an increased risk of infection due to the use of immunosuppressive drugs that prevent rejection of the donor marrow. New approaches are also being developed to treat lymphoma patients after a relapse. These include the use of highly specific monoclonal antibodies that are directed against lymphoma cells, and improved methods for preserving and transplanting bone marrow.
Alternative Therapies
Acupuncture and Acupressure
These techniques are generally accepted by physicians as an adjunct to medical therapy to ease pain and stress.
Herbal Medicine
Teas or extracts of Siberian ginseng, sarsaparilla, and wild Oregon grape may help minimize the negative side effects of chemotherapy. Chinese herbalists may use ginseng, bupleurum, and the Longan herbal combination to treat manifestations of lymphoma, including anemia, fatigue, and an enlarged spleen. An herbal preparation called Golden Yellow powder is used to counteract skin inflammation caused by radiation therapy.
Hypnotherapy
Hypnosis and self hypnosis are employed to control pain and to impart a positive attitude, which many experts believe facilitates medical treatment. These methods, along with meditation, can also reduce stress.
Nutrition Therapy
Nutritionists recommend foods that may have an anticancer effect. High on the list are those that contain beta carotene, a precursor to the antioxidant vitamin A, which studies suggest may help the body fight off cancer. Foods high in beta carotene include yellow and dark green vegetables, such as carrots and broccoli. Although some nutritionists also advocate supplements of antioxidants, food sources are more effective.
Visualization
This fosters relaxation, which is thought to have a positive effect on the immune system. It may be combined with guided imagery, which involves imagining the body's immune system destroying the cancer cells.
Self Treatment
Self care is directed toward coping with the side effects of treatment. Fatigue is common, so it is important to schedule frequent rest periods.
Other Causes of Lymphoma Symptoms
Enlarged lymph nodes, fever, and other lymphoma symptoms also occur in leukemia, mononucleosis, and AIDS.
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