Difference between hodgkin's and non-hodgkin's lymphoma : Lymphoma Cancer Treatment in India

What is Lymphoma Cancer?

Lymphoma Division comprises a specialized team of professionals who are dedicated to preventing, diagnosing, treating, and managing cancers of the lymphatic system, including Hodgkin's and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. 

The lymphoma team brings together experts in Hematology / Medical oncology, Immunology, Infectious Diseases, Pathology, Radiation Oncology, Transfusion Medicine and Nursing. This specialized approach to treating lymphoma provides patients with the exact type of services they need to battle the disease and its physical, emotional, and social side effects. 

Types of Lymphoma

Hodgkin's Lymphoma Cancer - This is the most common type of lymphoma is. It has special characteristics that distinguish it from the others. Often it is identified by the presence of a unique cell, called the Reed-Sternberg cell, in lymphatic tissue that has been surgically removed for biopsy.

Hodgkin's disease tends to follow a more predictable pattern of spread, and its spread is generally more limited than that of the non-Hodgkin's lymphomas. By contrast, the non-Hodgkin's lymphomas are more likely to begin in extranodal sites (organs other than the lymph nodes, like the liver and bones).

Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma Cancer - In this case the cells in the lymphatic system grow abnormally. They divide too rapidly and grow without any order. Too much tissue is formed, and tumors begin to grow. The cancer cells also can spread to other organs.

There are about ten different types of Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Some types spread more quickly than others. The type is determined by how the cells look under a microscope (histology). The histologies are grouped together, based on how quickly they spread, into low-grade, intermediate-grade, or high-grade lymphomas.

Symptoms of Lymphoma Cancer

The most common symptom of non-Hodgkin's lymphomas is a painless swelling in the lymph nodes of the neck, underarm, or groin. Other symptoms may include fevers, night sweats, tiredness, weight loss, itching, and reddened patches on the skin. Sometimes there is nausea, vomiting, or abdominal pain.

As lymphomas progress, the body is less able to fight infection. These symptoms are not sure signs of cancer, however. They also may be caused by many common illnesses, such as the flu or other infections. But it is important to see a doctor if any of these symptoms lasts longer than 2 weeks.

Diagnosis Of Lymphoma Cancer

Following tests are usually required

• Blood tests, including complete blood count (CBC), liver and kidney function test
• Bone marrow biopsy or Fine Needle Cytology Aspiration
• Lumbar puncture (spinal tap) to check for Cancer spread to the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord)
• Ultrasound
• Bone scan or gallium scan (when a radioactive material is injected into the bloodstream to look for evidence of inflammation or bone tumors)
• PET Scan - Positron emission tomography scan

Lymphoma Cancer Treatment

Treatment of Hodgkin Lymphoma

The specific treatment for Hodgkin lymphoma largely depends on the stage, overall health and type of disease. The aim is to kill all the present cancer cells. Some of the treatment options include –

Stem Cell Transplant : In this treatment, a diseased bone marrow is replaced with healthy stem cells in order to grow new bone marrow. This treatment can be the only option if Hodgkin lymphoma occurs again despite being treated. The removal of a patient’s blood stem cells is done that are then stored and frozen for later use. A patient then receives high-dose of radiation and chemotherapy for destroying cancerous cells in the body. The stem cells are then softened and injected into the body by the means of veins and they then helps in building new healthy bone marrow.

Chemotherapy : This therapy makes use of chemicals for destroying lymphoma cells. These drugs travel to the bloodstream and finally reach to all parts of the body. Radiation therapy is often combined with chemotherapy for treating those people who are suffering from early-stage classical type of Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

Radiation Therapy : High-energy beams that include x-rays are used in this therapy for destroying cancer cells. Radiation therapy is usually used after the chemotherapy for treating classical Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Radiation therapy is used alone for treating those people who are suffering from early stage lymphocyte-predominant of Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma

Non-Hodgkin lymphoma, also referred to as NHL or non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, is a type of cancer that begins in lymphocytes (a part of the immune system of the body). NHL can be categorized into 40 different types. There are no known causes of Non-Hodgkin lymphoma. People who have weak immune systems that also include those people, who are suffering from HIV infection or had an organ transplant, can develop Non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

Types of Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma

T-cell or B-cell lymphomas are categorized under lymphomas that depends on whether these lymphomas have began from T-cell lymphocytes or B-cell lymphocytes. B-cell lymphomas are considered as the most common that include –

• Follicular lymphoma
• Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma

Some of the not so common types are –

• Lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma
• Extranodal marginal zone lymphoma of mucosa-associated tissue
• Small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL)
• Mediastinal large B-cell lymphoma
• Mantle cell lymphoma
• Nodal marginal zone lymphoma
• Burkitt lymphoma

T-cell lymphoma types include –

• Lymphoblastic lymphoma
• Peripheral T-cell lymphoma
• Anaplastic large cell lymphoma
• Skin (cutaneous) lymphoma

Symptoms of Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma

• Concentration problem, seizures, headache or personality changes can occur if the brain is affected by the cancer
• Night sweats
• Weight loss
• Abdominal swelling or pain results in vomiting, loss of appetite, nausea and constipation
• Fever and chills that come and go
• Swollen lymph nodes in the groin, neck and underarms areas
• Shortness of breath or coughing can occur when the cancer affects lymph nodes or thymus gland in the chest that puts pressure on other airways or on the windpipe
• Itching

Treatment of Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma

The treatment of Non-Hodgkin lymphoma depends on its stage, symptoms and the type. The aim of the treatment is to eliminate the lymphoma without causing any damage to the surrounding cells. The common treatment options for Non-Hodgkin lymphoma include –

• Monoclonal Antibodies: This treatment is used for destroying lymphoma cells. Monoclonal antibodies can also be combined with chemotherapy drugs for delivering high concentration of the drugs to the tumor cells.
• Chemotherapy: Anti-cancer drugs are used for destroying lymphoma cells that are injected through the vein or can also be taken by mouth. This treatment has proved very beneficial for lymphoma as anti-cancer drugs enter into the bloodstream that also reaches to every part of the body.
• Radioimmunotherapy: This treatment uses a monoclonal antibody that also combines a radioactive particle to it. This helps in destroying the lymphoma cells and simultaneously it also destroys many more cells that are in the radiation path.
• Radiation Therapy: High dose x-rays are used for treating cancer cells that are still there after surgery. This therapy is usually used for treating Non-Hodgkin lymphoma cancer. External radiation is a method by which radiation is given directly to the cancer from a machine that is outside of the body.
  
  
  For more information visit:          http://www.medworldindia.com        
                      https://www.facebook.com/medworld.india
  
  
  Please scan and email your medical reports  to us at care@medworldindia.com and we shall get you a Free Medical Opinion from India’s Best Doctors.
  
  
  Call Us : +91-9811058159
  Mail Us : care@medworldindia.com