Monday, March 21, 2011

Lymphoma

Lymphoma is a cancer of the white blood cells that attacks the immune system. There are around 35-40 different sub-types of lymphoma all of which are very serious and deadly. Lymphoma is called the “immune system attacker”. The reason it is called this is because it attacks the cells, tissues and organs that make up your lymphatic system, which is the major part of your immune system. The lymphocytes in your lymphatic system are the cells that fight off infection when you come in contact with bacteria, or a virus. These white blood cells are carried through your body through lymph which is a substance similar to blood but it contains mainly white blood cells. Lymphoma usually occurs when you have an abnormal collection of white blood cells in a single lymph node, which is called a tumor. The causes of Lymphoma are yet to be determined, there are several theories as to the cause or risk factors but none have yet to be ruled out as a cause yet. Some of these risk factors that they have linked to Lymphoma are age, infections, a weakened immune system due to a medical condition, over exposure to toxins and last but not least genetics. With age you have an increased level of NHL levels. These levels are usually raised though in the elderly because of poor or misdiagnosis. Infections that have been linked to Lymphoma are HIV , Helicobactor pylori, and or Hepatitis B or C viruses. There have also been linked to a gene that links some family members with Lymphoma just like many other cancers. Having some of these risk factors does not though mean that you will develop Lymphoma. Diagnosis of Lymphoma has several different steps or options, such as, blood work, image scans, biopsy, bone marrow examination or even a Lumbar puncture (spinal tap). Lymphoma is also diagnosed in stages, or levels of severity, and/or “bulky or non-bulky”. The higher the stage the more sever and bulky and non-bulky refer to the size of the tumor or tumors. Lymphoma has sometimes been hard to diagnose in the past because of the symptoms, some of them are also consistent with other illness such as a cold or other infections. You may have swollen lymph nodes, a swollen spleen, fever, chills, unexplained weight loss, lack of energy and/or itching. To me this is a very scary disease because of there still being so many questions and not enough answers. I don’t know about you but there have been many times when I have had several of these symptoms at one time and all my doctor did was prescribe an antibiotic and send me home without running any of these tests. I did once know a little girl that had passed away due to this illness which was believed to have been misdiagnosed by her doctor for almost a year before they found out what was wrong with her. She was only five years old. www.emedicinehealth.com/lymphoma/article_em.htm
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