Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma refers to a large group of lymphatic cancers that is made up of approximately 90% of all diagnosed lymphomas.4
All lymphomas are defined as cancerous growth of lymphocytes, also called white blood cells. It is the body's primary defense against infection and disease. These lymphocytes, which is also known as white blood cells mutate and grows abnormally crowding out those healthy cells which lead to forming tumors. 4
There are many different types of non-Hodgkin lymphomas [NHLs], that is classified by the varied types of affected cells and the rate of abnormal growth. One type is the "aggressive large cell follicular" lymphoma which is known as the fast-growing cancer of a type of thyroid cell. An indolent cutaneous t-cell
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Blood tests may be done to determine kidney and liver function. Lumbar Puncture, also known as a "spinal tap," which involves the withdrawal and examination of spinal fluid. This is usually done in cases where a physician believes that the disease might have spread to the nervous system.4
The "Ann Arbor System" is the most widely used system for describing stages of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Stage 1: The lymphoma is in a lymph node or nodes in only 1 region, such as the neck, groin, or underarm. The cancer is found only in 1 area of a single organ outside of the lymph system (IE). Stage II: The lymphoma is in 2 or more groups of lymph nodes on the same side of the diaphragm either above or below (the muscle that aids breathing and separates the chest and abdomen). Stage III: The lymphoma is found in lymph node areas on both sides of the diaphragm either above or below. The cancer may also have extended into an area or organ next to the lymph nodes into the spleen or both. Stage IV: The lymphoma has spread outside of the lymph system into an organ that is not right next to an involved node. The lymphoma has spread to the bone marrow, liver, brain or spinal cord, or the pleura (thin lining of the
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The regimen used depends on the type of NHL, the stage, and whether the disease is aggressive or indolent.4
Chemotherapy is the use of cytotoxic (cell damaging) medicines to target and kill tumors. The drugs work by interrupting the DNA of fast-growing cells, preventing them from growing or reproducing. Chemotherapy can lead to a variety of side effects.4
Radiation therapy uses high doses of X-rays, gamma rays, or other types of ionizing (damaging) radiation to kill cancer cells. It may be applied to the whole body or to a specific
Her health being swiftly dropped despite assertive effort of treatment until her family decided to put her in palliative care. Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia or ALL is one most common blood cancer in children less than 15-year-old of age. Jenny’s diagnosis is acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Ordinarily, blood cells are emerging from an immature cell or stem cell which can give rise to several different cell types. First phase of hematopoiesis or formation of blood
Epithelioid Hemangioendothelioma is a rare form of cancer that affects the blood vessels of an individual and has an unknown etiology. It is considered as a low-grade cancer because it grows and spreads slowly. However, it can become malignant. It typically starts in soft tissues like the liver or the lung, and can spread to nearby or distant organs. Epithelioid Hemangioendothelioma affects about 0.1 percent of the American population with an overall 5-year survival rate of 55% after a standard primary radical treatment.
The most apparent symptom of Hodgkin disease is a lump near one of the major locations of lymph nodes such as the neck, groin, or armpit. A lump in any of these three locations are also a common symptom in many other cancers or even just a symptom of infection. The article continues stating there are other symptoms of Hodgkin disease, including fever, night sweats, weight loss, itchy skin, being tired, loss of appetite, coughing, troubling breathing, and chest pain. Many of these symptoms lead to the diagnosis of the
Talk with your health care team. Ask them for information about your specific type of cancer, including the cell type and the stage (extent) of your cancer. This is helpful because
If this comes back positive a radical lymph node dissection will be necessary, this may be followed by radiation, depending on the number of nodes affected (Hodgetts, 2013). In the treatment of stage IV tumors there are many methods used. Tumors and lymph nodes may be surgically removed. Patients may also be treated with radiation, immunotherapy, chemotherapy or targeted therapy. At this stage the disease is very hard to cure due to metastasis.
MYELOMA Myeloma is a blood cancer that affects the plasma cells in the blood. The blood production helps stop the developing of the myeloma. The spine and the hips are the first bones attacked. The body will not make any new plasma cells to fight the disease. The bone barrow is the first body system to be damaged and unable to make more cells.
CBC was administered to determine the WBC and platelet count and to confirm/rule out leukemia and anemia. Lymph node biopsy was completed to observe whether or not Reed-Sternberg cells are present, confirming/denying the presence of lymphoma. X-ray: Medium-sized mass present in the mediastinum. PET-CT scan: Shows enlarged lymph nodes in the chest and spleen. CBC: Normal WBC and platelet levels, ruling out leukemia and anemia.
In my mind i keep replaying the tape of the voice of my doctor, “ Hodgkin Lymphoma is divided into four stages, depending on how far the disease has spread. The “stage” is an important piece of information that helps to predict outcomes, or prognosis, and determine a patient’s course of treatment. As for Charity, she has stage four (widespread disease), the lymphoma is outside the lymph nodes and spleen and has spread to one or more organs such as bone marrow, lung or liver.” As a short summary, basically explained that the only thing we can do is take Charity to chemo, possibly surgery and to just “ hope for the
Grade II - cancer cells that don’t look like normal cells and are growing faster than normal cells. Grade III - cancer cells that look abnormal and may grow or spread more aggressively. These cells are unrecognizable under a microscope; they don’t even look like bone anymore. Cancer staging system is as follows: Stage 1) localized cancer; Stage 2) usually includes spread to the nearest lymph node; Stage 3) usually indicates more extensive lymph node involvement; Stage 4) always indicates spread to other
However there are certain symptoms that are specific to the location of the tumor: pressure near the location of the tumor, problems in performing
But when it is unknown for sure that you have the cancer, you may get x-rays, computed tomography (CT) scans, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans, and numerous types of biopsies. According to cancer.net the five year survival rate with this cancer depends on which of the five stages (0 - 4) you have. With stage 0, the survival rate is around sixty three percent. With stage 2, the survival rate is sixty one percent.
Chemotherapy, which involves the use of Sorafenib (Nexavar), a drug used to treat aggressive or metastatic thyroid cancer that is not responsive to radioactive iodine therapy. Possible side effects include diarrhea, weight loss, fatigue, high blood pressure, and skin rash. Other Ways of Coping with Hurthle Cell Carcinoma Treatment for Hurthle cell carcinoma can be frightening and challenging. Here are some tips to help you cope with the disease: • Discuss your feelings with a family member or friend or join a support group for cancer patients and families. • Accept help from other people.
Bone cancer isn’t a very common cancer. It accounts for much less than one percent of all cancers. Around 2,300 cases of bone cancer are diagnosed each year. Bone cancer is a serious disease that has multiple different types and treatments.
Lymphoma is a type of blood cancer affecting various lymph vessels and lymph nodes throughout the body. In 2012, there were approximately 740,000 individuals in the United States living with lymphoma. There are two prime classes of lymphoma: Hodgkin's lymphoma and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma—with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma being more common than Hodgkin’s. It is difficult to distinguish which class of lymphoma an individual has because they have many similarities. For example, they occur in the same places, can be linked with similar symptoms, and can physically look identical.
Cancerous tumors are malignant, meaning they can spread into nearby tissues, whereas benign tumors do not spread, and are often