Introduction
Human beings face various diseases directly related to their body system in today’s world. The most common one is Non-Hodgkin lymphoma, which attacks the lymphatic system responsible for the germ-fighting immune system in the body (Phillips et al. 1110). Lymphocytes proliferate improperly in non-lymphoma Hodgkin’s, resulting in tumors all over the body. Non-Hodgkin lymphoma is the most form of lymphoma; under this category variety of subclasses are emanated. Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma and follicular lymphoma are the most dominant subtype. This research discusses the causes, current research on the disease, symptoms, treatment, current statistics, and tests required to diagnose the disease.
Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma
Non-Hodgkin lymphoma is produced by a mutation in the DNA of lymphocytes, a kind of white blood cell. The cause of this mutation is unknown, as DNA offers basic instructions to the cells by triggering when to reproduce and grow. Because the DNA alteration adjusts these commands, the cells continue to advance, initiating them to grow uncontrollably. The abnormal lymphocytes multiply in one or more lymph nodes in a specific body location, such as the armpit, groin, or neck (Tomlinson and Yaxley 770). Irregular lymphocytes will possibly extend to other portions of the body, such as skin, liver, lungs, or the brain, over time in an advanced stage.
Scientists about non-Hodgkin lymphoma are conducting recently intensive research. The main aim is to learn more about non-Hodgkin lymphoma, ways of preventing and how best it can be treated. Here there are new options for individuals involved in the current area of research via clinical trials. Genetic testing researchers are putting more effort into learning about the genetic and particular function that gene changes have in the growth of cancer (Phillips et al. 1110). As a result, they can categorize and diagnose non-Hodgkin lymphoma subdivisions. Furthermore, gene profiling techniques may assist in approximating the prognosis for persons with a particular form of lymphoma.
Researchers are intensively looking at immunotherapy as a method of treatment. On this point, more concern is ongoing research to modify healthy T cells to enable the recognition and eradication of lymphoma cells, known as CAR-cell therapy (Tomlinson and Yaxley 776). Moreover, more discoveries of several therapeutic vaccines have been studied in clinical trials, indolent lymphoma being targeted. These vaccines aim to lower the chance that a lymphoma will bounce back after being treated with targeted therapy or chemotherapy but not prevent it (Tomlinson and Yaxley 776). As for now, vaccine studies have not displayed pleasing outcomes compared with other treatments, even though there is ongoing research to improve vaccines. In contrast, various collaborations of chemotherapy and different chemotherapy programs involve clinical trials whereby antibodies or radiolabeled antibodies are being studied. As a result, scientists assess numerous new drugs that function differently from normal chemotherapy.
Non-Hodgkin lymphoma cancer has different symptoms associated with it. The common symptom is a painless swelling in a lymph node, generally situated in the neck, groin, or armpit. Lymph nodes, also known as lymph glands, are pea-sized tissue lumps originating from all over the body. They comprise white blood cells that aid in infection resistance. The swelling is triggered by lymphocytes, a white blood cell that gathers in the lymph node (Jacobson and Armand 9). Patients suffering from Non-Hodgkin lymphoma might experience other general symptoms, including fever, night sweats, persistent skinching throughout the body, feelings of breathlessness, and accidental weight loss. The symptom of the disease depends primarily on the part of the body where the enlarged lymph glands are.
Non-Hodgkin lymphoma disease is treated depending on the type of cancer, its stage, and health status. Treatment options for patients suffering from the disease may include Immunotherapy, Targeted Drug Therapy, Radiation Therapy, Chemotherapy, High-Dose Chemotherapy, Stem Cell Transplant, and Surgery for Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma. Chemotherapy is the administration of anti-cancer drugs via injection into a vein (IV) or oral administration (Phillips et al. 1110). This treatment is extremely effective for lymphoma since the drugs injected enter the bloodstream and spread closely to every part of the body. Chemotherapy drugs help treat lymphoma (Jacobson and Armand 9). Some drugs include Cyclophosphamide, Chlorambucil, and Prednisone. Dexamethasone, Carboplatin, Fludarabine and Methotrexate. In some instances, chemotherapy is frequently combined with an immunotherapy drug, particularly rituximab.
Immunotherapy is another form of cancer treatment that either stimulates the patient’s immune system or uses artificial versions of normal immune system components to kill or limit the growth of lymphoma cells (Phillips et al. 1110). On the other hand, supportive care is another vital treatment for many individuals. Usually, this aid in preventing or curing problems such as low blood cell counts, infections, or symptoms caused by the lymphoma. It is responsible for treating HIV-associated lymphoma, T-Cell, and B-Cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
Blood testing can assist your doctors in detecting some of the telltale indications of non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Anemia, or a lack of red blood cells, is one. Red blood cells provide oxygen to the body’s organs and tissues (Tomlinson and Yaxley 776). A common, typical symptom of anemia is fatigue throughout the body. People with this type of cancer have low levels of healthy white blood cells, responsible for fighting infection, and low platelet counts, which aid in blood clotting. NYU Langone clinicians utilize a biopsy to detect non-Hodgkin lymphoma. The process involves collecting tissue samples from a swollen lymph node that initiate through a physical examination or image tests. Doctors frequently employ this technique to identify cancer and observe it under a microscope.
Additionally, the doctor can determine the presence of proteins or other compounds on individual cancer cells using the tissue sample obtained during a biopsy. Your doctor can tell what sort of non-Hodgkin lymphoma you have by the appearance of these “surface markers. If a doctor suspects you have a non-Hodgkin lymphoma that could spread to the cerebrospinal fluid surrounding the spine and brain, they may do a lumbar puncture (Phillips et al. 1110). A fluid sample is taken from the spinal canal via the lower back using a needle for examination under a microscope. Doctors may utilize imaging tests to evaluate how far non-Hodgkin lymphoma has progressed throughout the body. CT scans provide three-dimensional cross-sectional images of the body using X-rays and a computer (Phillips et al. 1110). The test can assist doctors in figuring out how big non-Hodgkin lymphoma tumors are and which organs they affect. Other performed tests consist of PET scan, Ultrasound, and Needle Biopsy.
Non-Hodgkin lymphoma is a form of cancer that affects roughly 4% of people in the United States. The American Cancer Society projects the following numbers for non-Hodgkin lymphoma in 2022: it will affect around 80,470 persons, 44,120, and 36,350 men and women. Both adults and children are affected. This cancer will kill around 20,250 individuals, 11,700 men and 8,550 women (Phillips et al. 1110). Furthermore, a man’s lifetime risk of developing NHL is approximately 1 in 42, while a woman’s risk is approximately 1 in 52. This type of cancer can occur at any stage in the lifetime of a human being, either a child, adult or teen.
Conclusion
In conclusion, non-Hodgkin lymphoma is a disease that causes cancer affecting the body system of a human being. And to be more specific, it attacks the lymphoma system, which plays a vital role in the germ-fight immune system. Symptoms of the disease primarily depend on the portion of the body affected. The treatment methods prioritized are radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and targeted therapy.
Works Cited
Jacobson, Caron A., and Philippe Armand. “Immunotherapy in Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma”. Annals of Lymphoma, vol 2, 2018, pp. 9-9. AME Publishing Company.
Phillips, Elizabeth H., et al. “PET-Guided Treatment for Personalised Therapy of Hodgkin Lymphoma and Aggressive Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma”. The British Journal of Radiology, vol 94, no. 1127, 2021. British Institute of Radiology.
Tomlinson, Ross, and Julian Yaxley. “Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura Associated with Hodgkin Lymphoma and Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma”. Pathology, vol 50, no. 7, 2018, pp. 776-777. Elsevier BV.