There are 2 main types of lymphoma. They are called Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) and non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). Non-Hodgkin lymphoma can be described as cancer that develops from the lymphoid system. In Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma, blood cells called lymphocytes become abnormal. These abnormal lymphocytes are the lymphoma cells. They keep dividing and grow out of the body’s control. Over time, there are enough lymphoma cells to make a lump, called a tumor. The most common place for this to happen is in the lymph nodes but Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma can start in almost any part of the body, including the stomach, small bowel, skin, tonsils, thyroid or testicles.
Some of the signs and symptoms of Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma include fever, night sweats, fatigue, and swollen lymph nodes. Other symptoms that patients present are itchiness of the skin, chest pain, bone pain, and so on. Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma could either progress rapidly or slowly. There are some factors that increase the risk of having this disease. Some of the
se factors are Epstein-Barr virus, overweight, and obesity, weakened the immune system, hepatitis C and so on. It can be diagnosed by evaluating and performing a test on the bone marrow and also carrying out a lymph node biopsy. There are different types of a treatment procedure for non-Hodgkin’s. However, this depends largely on the type of lymphoma the patient has. The rate of proliferation of the lymphoma is an important factor to be considered. The major therapies for Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma include chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and immunotherapy. Others include observation, targeted therapy, and stem cell transplantation. Physicians can buy stem cells online if the patient is not viable for stem cell extraction.
What Are The Signs And Symptoms Of Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma?
Below are some of the signs and symptoms of Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma;
- Painless swelling in the lymph nodes – This is the most common early symptom.
- Coughing (if the swelling is in the chest area)
- Chest pain. (if the swelling is in the chest area)
- Difficulty in breathing (if the swelling is in the chest area)
- Difficulty Swallowing (if the swelling is in the chest area)
- Indigestion or pain in the abdomen (if the lymphoma is in the stomach or bowel).
- Tiredness, Bleeding, and Difficulty fighting Infection (if the lymphoma spreads to the bone marrow)
- Chronic fatigue syndrome: This is a condition in which the patient feels tired, even after taking a proper rest. This usually lasts a duration of at least 6 months.
- Fever: That comes and goes without any obvious cause.
- Night sweats: This is also one of the first symptoms to be displayed by people affected by the disease.
- Weight loss: Patients lose a lot of weight, and they usually can’t pinpoint why they’re losing weight.
- Itchiness of the skin.
- Lymphomas in the brain could also lead to weakness, seizures
- Personality changes.
What Are The Causes Of Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma?
Non-Hodgkin lymphoma is caused by a change (mutation) in the DNA of a type of white blood cell called lymphocytes, although the exact reason why this happens isn’t known. Below are some of the factors that could lead to the development of the disease:
- Infections: There are some microorganisms that could cause the development of the disease. Most of these are viral infections. They include
- Epstein-Barr virus: This infection is connected with the development of the lymphomas such as Burkitt, follicular dendritic cell sarcoma and so on.
- Helicobacter pylori: This is a bacterial infection. Known for the development of a gastric This infection is associated with the development of gastric lymphoma.
- Hepatitis C virus: This infection is associated with lymphomas such as diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, splenic marginal zone lymphoma.
- Chemical agents: There are some chemical agents that could lead to the development of Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Some of them include dioxin and phenoxy herbicides.
- Medical procedures: Some medical procedures can also cause Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. They are radiotherapy and chemotherapy.
- Autoimmune diseases: Examples of such disease that could lead to Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma are Sjogren’s syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis, and system lupus erythematosus.
- Genetic causes: Genetic disorders such as Ataxia telangiectasia syndrome, Klinefelter’s syndrome have been associated with Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
What Are The Risk Factors For Having Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma?
Some patients do present with this disease without having any risk factor. However, more cases of Non-Hodgkin’s disease have been by patients that had some of the risk factors. Although, having some of the factors does not mean that you’d be affected by the disease. Below are some of the risk factors that could lead to the development of the disease;
- Infections: There are some viral and bacterial infections that could lead to the development of this disease. They do not cause the disease but predisposes patients to have Some of these infections are the Epstein-Barr virus. This virus has been associated with the development of the lymphomas such as Burkitt, follicular dendritic cell sarcoma and so on. Another example is H. Pylori. This is the virus that causes peptic ulcer. It increases the risk of having gastric lymphoma.
- Race: White people have a higher risk than black and Asian people.
- Medications: There are some drugs that weaken the immune system. This is more common among people that underwent organ transplant procedures. Their immune system is usually suppressed to prevent any risk of tissue rejection. Patients have a high risk of developing this disease, even in that period.
- Chemicals: Some chemicals have been connected with Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. These chemicals include insecticides and pesticides. Others include dioxin and phenoxy herbicides.
- Age: Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma can affect anybody of any age group. However, the disease is more prevalent in older adults, especially people above the age of 60 years old.
- Autoimmune disorders: eg, Sjögren’s syndrome and Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, promote the development of MALT and predispose patients to subsequent lymphoid malignancies.
When to Look for a Doctor near me?
It’s important to go see a doctor when you start noticing some of the symptoms listed above. The earlier the diagnosis, the better the outcome.
Treatment of Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma?
The treatment approach largely depends on the kind of disease presentation the patient has. An observation approach may be chosen if the lymphoma is slow growing. Other therapies that are done include chemotherapy, radiotherapy, targeted therapy, etc. The role of surgery in treatment is limited but may be useful in certain situations. Vaccinations (polyvalent pneumococcal vaccine and influenza vaccine) should be given to all patients with NHL
How Stem Cell Therapy can be used to treat Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma
Bone marrow transplant has been one of the most effective methods of treating the disease. Stem cells are harvested from the patient, frozen and stored. Then the non-healthy cells are eliminated through chemotherapy and radiotherapy. The stem cells are then injected back into the body. It is usually a complex process, but the most effective.
References
Akhtar, S. (2017). High dose chemotherapy and autologous stem cell transplantation in relapsed or refractory Hodgkin lymphoma: Emerging questions, newer agents, and changing paradigm. Haematology/Oncology and Stem Cell Therapy, 10(4), pp.272-276.
Crump, M. (2008). Management of Hodgkin Lymphoma in Relapse after Autologous Stem Cell Transplant. Haematology, 2008(1), pp.326-333.
Kahl, B. (2007). Dose-Intense and Dose-Dense Regimens in Hodgkin Lymphoma and Aggressive Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma. Clinical Lymphoma and Myeloma, 8, p.S42.
Kako, S., Izutsu, K., Kato, K., Kim, S., Mori, T., Fukuda, T., Kobayashi, N., Taji, H., Hashimoto, H., Kondo, T., Sakamaki, H., Morishima, Y., Kato, K., Suzuki, R. and Suzumiya, J. (2014). The role of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation for relapsed and refractory Hodgkin lymphoma. American Journal of Hematology, 90(2), pp.132-138.
Get more Information at iSTEMCELL
