Lymphoma Definition, Reason, Symptoms, Treatment & Prevention
Understanding
Lymphoma is a cancer that occurs in the lymph nodes (KGB). The KGB is an organ that functions to maintain the immune system and protect the body from germ infections.
KGB in the human body are found in various places – including in the neck, armpits, groin, tonsils, spleen, and bone marrow. Therefore, the symptoms of lymphoma can vary, depending on which KGB is affected.
In general, there are two types of lymphoma, namely Hodgkin’s lymphoma and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. These two types can only be known for sure after the doctor has carried out a series of examinations.
Symptom
There are several symptoms of lymphoma that are often encountered, namely:
- Enlarged lymph nodes in the neck, armpits or groin
- Prolonged fever for no apparent reason
- Feeling tired and lethargic easily
- Excessive sweating at night
- Weight loss drastically
- Hard to breathe
- Abdominal pain
- Continuous coughing for no apparent reason
Reason
The cause of lymphoma is not known with certainty. However, there are several conditions that cause a person to be more at risk of developing lymphoma, namely:
- Experiencing immune disorders, for example, people with autoimmune diseases or people with HIV / AIDS
- Taking immunosuppressant drugs (drugs that suppress the immune system) after organ transplantation
- Infected with the Ebstein Batt virus
- Have a family history of lymphoma
- Smokers or frequent exposure to cigarette smoke
Diagnosis
Determination of the diagnosis of lymphoma is established through a series of tests necessary to confirm lymphoma, including:
- Thorough physical examination by a doctor
- Blood test
- Biopsy (action of taking part or all of the abnormal KGB tissue) for examination under a microscope
- Radiological examinations, such as X-rays, ultrasound, CT scans or MRI
- Bone marrow aspiration
Treatment
Lymphoma treatment depends on the type of lymphoma experienced (Hodgkin or Non-Hodgkin lymphoma). But in general, the treatment of lymphoma patients involves chemotherapy and radiation.
Chemotherapy is usually lived as much as 6-8 cycles. While radiation is carried out at the location of the lymph nodes that have turned malignant. Other treatments that are more specific depend on the type of lymphoma being experienced.
Prevention
There is nothing that can definitely prevent someone from developing lymphoma. HIV/AIDS is a disease that increases a person’s risk of developing lymphoma.
Therefore, by preventing yourself from experiencing HIV/AIDS (avoiding free sex and avoiding injecting drug use), the risk of experiencing lymphoma will also be lower.