Lymphoma is a group of cancers that affect the cells that play a role in the immune system, and primarily represents cells involved in the lymphatic system of the body. Lymphoma is one of the most common causes of death from cancer in the United States. Lymphoma commonly begins in lymph nodes or collections of lymphatic tissue in organs like the stomach or intestines. It may engage the marrow and the blood in some cases. Lymphoma may spread from one site to other parts of the body. Lymphocytic leukemias originate and are most prominent in the marrow and spill over into the blood. They occasionally spread to involve the lymph nodes.
There are two main types of lymphoma. Hodgkin’s lymphoma and andnon-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Hodgkin’s lymphoma is a relatively aggressive cancer and can quickly spread through the body. Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma is a general term to refer to any type of lymphoma that does not have the distinctive Reed-Sternberg cell. Non-Hodgkin’s lymphomas begin when a type of white blood cell, called a T cell or B cell, becomes abnormal. The cell divides again and again, making more and more abnormal cells. These abnormal cells can spread to almost any other part of the body.
The most familiar symptom of lymphoma is a painless swelling in a lymph node, frequently in the neck, armpit or groin. The swelling is caused by a surplus of affected lymphocytes collecting in one of your lymph nodes. Excessive sweating at night unique situation may be quite bothersom. Other symptoms lymphoma include unexplained tiredness or fatigue, night sweats, unexplained weight loss, fever,trouble getting rid of infections, abdominal pain, diarrhoea, a persistent cough or feeling of breathlessness, and skin rash or itchy skin. Lymphoma treatment varies depending on the exact type, stage, presentation, and patient tolerance.
Chemotherapy use of cancer killing drugs to disrupt cell division and stop tumor growth. Chemotherapy is usually given over a period of a few months on an out-patient basis, meaning you should not have to stay in hospital over night. Chemotherapy kills the cancerous cells but it can also damage healthy cells, which can lead to a number of common side effects. Radiotherapy use of high power x-rays or particles to kill cancerous cells. Rituximab can be used to treat low-stage non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, or combined with chemotherapy to treat high-stage non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
Juliet Cohen writes articles for skin care tips. She also writes articles for haircut styles and beauty tips.
What can my husband (who has Lymphoma) do to lift up his white blood cell count?
You see, my husband just had the last chemo treatment for Non-Hodgkins’ Lymphoma and he didn’t take the Neulasta shot for white blood cells. Then he got sick with double pneumonia and was in the hospital.
Answer
The Neulasta shots are probably about the best thing…..I personally hated them…..I got terrible “breast bone” pain, both on the front and back of my body and was in horrible pain for 24-48 hours…hated even clothing brushing against my body….Neupogen was just as bad….I had no choice but to have massive doses of that, when I went thru my stem cell transplant. I now refuse to do anymore injections unless it’s absolutely needed. If it takes me a few weeks longer to get my counts up, so be it…..but that is my personal choice.
I wish your husband the best, and a speedy recovery….
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