Lymphoma: Types, Risk Factors, and Symptoms

Study Notes

Lymphomas are cancers of the lymphatic system, which is part of your immune system, affecting white blood cells called lymphocytes. There are two main types of lymphoma: Hodgkin's disease and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Lymphoma is more common among men than women. Older adults are at higher risk too, with most people diagnosed being aged over 60 years old. However, it can also affect younger people, including teenagers and young adults under 25 years old. In some cases, children may develop cancer involving their lymph glands, although this condition has different signs and treatment methods than adult lymphoma.

Risk factors associated with developing lymphoma include:

A family history of the disease: If someone close to you has had lymphoma previously, there is an increased chance they will have passed down genes putting you at risk.
Weakened immune system: People whose immune systems are already compromised due to other illnesses or medical conditions like HIV infection or organ transplant patients are more likely to get lymphoma.
Exposure to radiation therapy: Being treated for another type of cancer using high levels of ionizing radiation increases your chances of getting lymphoma later in life.

Some key symptoms of lymphoma include:

Swollen lymph nodes in various parts of the body like neck, armpits, groin. These swellings might feel tender when touched.
Fatigue, feeling very tired all the time. This could be because the tumor took up extra energy from your body.
Unintentional weight loss. Even though you haven't tried losing any pounds, your body loses its ability to absorb nutrients properly leading to sudden weight reduction.
Night sweats and fever. Tumors inside your body release hormones causing these symptoms while fighting off sickness.

If you notice one or multiple of these symptoms persistently, it would be wise to consult a healthcare professional who specializes in diagnosing cancerous diseases such as lymphoma. Early diagnosis means better chances of successful treatments like chemotherapy, radiotherapy, immunotherapy, targeted drug therapies, and stem cell transplants depending on specific case requirements. Detecting lymphoma early makes these treatments easier to carry out effectively lowering risks related to each procedure.

Description

Learn about Hodgkin's disease and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, risk factors associated with developing lymphoma, and key symptoms to watch out for. Understanding these aspects can help in early detection and successful treatment of lymphoma.