Lymphoma is a term used to describe cancers of the lymphatic system. One of the most recognized types of lymphoma is Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. There are four main types of Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. Nodular Sclerosis and Mixed Cellularity are the two most common ones, with Lymphocyte Predominant and Lymphocyte Depleted being the next two. Of the four, Lymphocyte Depleted is the rarest form.
Hodgkin’s Lymphoma symptoms include, of course, swelling of the lymph nodes, most commonly those found in the neck or under the arms. However, lymphoma can cause lymph nodes in the groin to swell, as well as those located in the spleen and other major organs.
Lymphoma symptoms may also include nighttime sweating or running a fever at night, a feeling of unusual fatigue, and weight loss, among others. Lymphoma may not be the reason for these symptoms, as other diseases can cause the same ones. However, if these symptoms are present, along with swollen lymph nodes, then a diagnosis of lymphoma should be ruled out.
Lymphoma treatment includes chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and more recently (within the past eight years) lymphoma treatment through the use of monoclonal antibodies. It is believed that when monoclonal antibodies are used in lymphoma treatment, they act by targeting the lymphoma cells. This “targeting” then allows the body’s immune system to more easily find the diseased cells, and attack them.
The use of monoclonal antibodies in lymphoma treatment allows for the medication to be administered in different ways. These administration methods can include taking pills by mouth, or receiving the medication in the same way as other chemotherapy drugs are administered for lymphoma treatment.
It is currently being determined if monoclonal antibodies can be administered in the same way as other radiation therapy which is used in lymphoma treatment. If this becomes possible, this would allow health care practitioners to deliver the medication in such a way that more of the medication would reach the areas of the body affected by lymphoma.
Thu, Feb 25, 2010
Health, Organ and Tissue