A type of cancer called lymphoma is an organism's cells growing out of control. Similar to other types of cancer, abnormal cells develop the capacity to divide quickly, leading to an abnormal buildup of abnormal and dysfunctional cells that keep dividing and changing. As they proceed, they would gradually lose their normal self-control, escalate their aggression, and begin invading nearby and even far-off tissues. However, lymphoma differs slightly from other cancers in that it affects the entire lymphatic system rather than just one specific organ.
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The lymphatic system, which differs from a single organ, is a collection of cells that circulates the body continuously through the blood and lymphatic vessels. The lymphatic system contains a variety of cells, and lymphoma affects the lymphocytes.
Hodgkin lymphoma and non-Hodgkin lymphoma are the two main varieties of lymphomas. Additionally, each category has a large number of subtypes, and each of them would differ from the others. However, nearly all lymphoma types exhibit the same fundamental symptoms. The following are the most typical:
Lymph node enlargement
Lymph nodes are critical components of the immune system. They are found throughout the body's lymphatic vessels and typically swell whenever there is an active infection nearby. They swell because they receive an alert signal along with a sample of the invader molecule or bacteria, and they begin replicating immune cells as if forming an army to fight the pathogen.
However, in lymphoma, the enlargement of lymph nodes is not due to the organism preparing to attack cancer. It is caused by an overabundance of lymphocytes that are constantly replicating and filling the lymph nodes. As a result, they are dispersed throughout the body rather than concentrated in one area.
Lymph nodes that are swollen are common in many diseases, and there is even a viral infection called mononucleosis that causes swollen lymph nodes all over the body. Lymph nodes caused by lymphoma, on the other hand, are very hard; they can be moved because they are not strongly attached to the nearby tissue, and they are not tender. Patients frequently report that their lymph nodes are constantly shrinking and growing back for no apparent reason, but they are rarely painful.
These lymph nodes are typically found in the armpit, groin, and neck, but having a lymph node larger than 2 cm should be evaluated and monitored by your physician. Lymph nodes are the most important part of the diagnosis in all types of lymphoma, but they are not always visible to the naked eye, so imaging studies are required to suspect this disease and rule out other possibilities.
Fever
The inflammatory response to bacteria, viruses, and other pathogens requires a temperature rise. However, fever is not limited to infections; there are other uncommon causes of fever, such as lymphoma. As a result, if you only have a fever and enlarged lymph nodes, your doctor will most likely need to rule out other common causes (inflammatory or infectious) before considering lymphoma.
Because the immune system's normal function is severely compromised in lymphoma patients, lymphocytes begin releasing various substances into the bloodstream at an abnormal rate. These substances are perceived by your brain as an alert sign that an infection is present, and they raise your body's temperature threshold. As a result, your body begins to gradually raise its temperature.
As a result, lymphoma patients typically have a low-grade fever that exceeds 38 degrees Celsius. This symptom is common in lymphoma and many other diseases, so additional signs and symptoms will be required to complete the suspicion.
Increased risk of infections
As previously stated, lymphoma weakens your immune system, so a change in your body's defenses is not surprising. This will differ depending on the type of lymphoma, as they all attack different types of pathogens.
B-cell lymphoma patients do not have enough normal B cells to fight bacterial infections. These patients typically have infections in their respiratory tract and urinary system, particularly pneumonia and cystitis. Because they lack sufficient body defenses to combat the bacteria, their infections are quite aggressive.
When lymphoma affects the bone marrow, this tissue may stop producing new neutrophils, a type of cell that serves as our body's first line of defense against infections.
T-cell lymphoma patients do not have enough normal T cells to fight a viral infection. As a result, these patients could easily contract a virus, including mild viruses like influenza and more serious viruses like tuberculosis. Certain latent viruses, such as the herpes virus, may take advantage of the opportunity to reactivate.
Recurrent and severe infections should be monitored and studied, and by this point, the disease has already altered the patient's energy levels and general health, so serious causes such as AIDS and cancer are likely to be ruled out.
Night sweats
We've already discussed how the affected immune cells begin releasing inflammatory substances into the bloodstream. These substances reach the brain, which activates body defenses and begins to produce heat to kill the invader pathogens. Night sweats are a result of your body's temperature changing.
Night sweats are typically drenching and extremely uncomfortable in lymphoma patients. They are severe enough to soak your sheets, and you may experience this symptom not only during the night but also during the day.
Numerous diseases can cause night sweats, as well as normal conditions such as menopause and andropause. Your doctor will also need to know if you are taking any medications.
Sore and itchy skin
Lymphoma symptoms are not only associated with lymph nodes; they may also affect the appearance and feel of your skin. Many lymphoma patients experience severe itching, which is especially common in Hodgkin lymphoma. Itching may be accompanied by patches of sore and dry skin, and it may be located near swollen lymph nodes in some cases.
Inflammation is one of the causes of itchy skin, soreness, and other symptoms in patients. The immune cells begin to release inflammatory substances into the surrounding tissues, including the skin. These substances irritate the nerve terminals in the deeper layers of the skin, causing it to send signals to the brain that may be perceived as itching or a slight burning in the skin.
There are numerous causes of itchy skin, particularly if you have a rash, and it is not a good idea to apply antibiotic creams or unknown substances without first consulting your doctor, as they may alter the visual cues your doctor requires to diagnose your case.
Difficulty breathing
Lymphoma patients are more susceptible to respiratory infections, which cause difficulty breathing. Patients frequently have chest symptoms even when there are no associated infections. They are especially concerning when large lymph nodes press against the lung tissue or airways. In some cases, enlarged lymph nodes can even obstruct blood vessel flow and cause fluid collection in the tissue around your lungs.
All of these issues contribute to difficulty breathing, and many patients also report a dry cough and chest pain. They usually describe a severe type of pain that should be distinguished from heart attacks. In either case, if you have concerning symptoms that you believe are not normal and should be evaluated, do not delay. Do not put off your diagnosis any longer and consult your doctor.
Swollen abdomen
Swollen lymph nodes, like swollen lungs, can affect abdominal organs and even disrupt the natural return of blood to the heart. In this case, a condition known as ascites develops, in which there is free liquid in the abdominal cavity due to serum exudating into the interstitial tissue.
In some cases, enlarged lymph nodes begin to interfere with normal liver function, resulting in a swollen abdomen, and a yellowish coloration of the skin known as jaundice, bloating, and other symptoms. A swollen spleen is also common, and this organ can grow to be quite large, even reaching your belly button in some cases.
All of these symptoms are very general and do not indicate immune dysfunction, which is why they should be evaluated in conjunction with others to rule out lymphoma or other common diseases.
Chronic fatigue
Fatigue is more than just the tiredness that comes with physical activity; it is an overwhelming exhaustion that does not improve after a nap or a good night's sleep. Chronic fatigue can last for weeks or months and often indicates depression and anxiety, a hormonal disease such as thyroid disease, or a serious health problem such as cancer.
Most cancer patients have a decrease in their blood cell count, which is the type of cell that transports oxygen to the rest of the body. This is even more common if lymphoma is present. It affects the bone marrow, which is where red blood cells are produced. As a result, patients become easily tired, lightheaded, and drowsy.
Furthermore, cancer cells are always hungry for energy and will consume more nutrients and oxygen than we can imagine. Cancer consumes extra energy and reduces our energy levels to a bare minimum in the process.
Weight loss
If you are not attempting to lose weight through a specific diet or exercise regimen, you should not expect to lose a significant amount of weight in a short period. If you have lost 5% of your body weight in 12 months or less while making no effort and maintaining your normal lifestyle, you should consult your doctor to determine the cause.
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Patients with lymphoma typically lose up to 10% of their body weight in 6 months, but this is not always the case. This is due to the combination of several factors, including loss of appetite and increased energy expenditure caused by the rapid multiplication of cancer cells.
Cancer cells require extra energy and nutrients from the bloodstream to replicate and colonize your body. This predisposes patients to nutritional issues, anemia, and weight loss.
Weight loss is seen as another way to determine how aggressive cancer is in many cases because the more weight patients lose, the more aggressive cancer is, and their prognosis is worse.
Conclusion
Receiving the news, or even suspecting a cancer diagnosis, can be emotionally draining, and patients may require professional help to cope with the disease. Keep in mind, however, that lymphoma symptoms usually improve after you begin treatment.
If you have noticed any of these symptoms in yourself, you should rule out other diseases before considering lymphoma. That is not true if you have most or all of them. In any case, if you are curious or concerned about something that does not appear to be normal, consult your doctor immediately and clear your doubts. The asymptomatic nature of cancer causes most delayed diagnoses, and starting treatment early will help you recover faster and cope with this and any other disease you may be diagnosed with.
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