What is the Lymphatic System?

The lymphatic system (shown below) is a vital part of the human immune system. The lymphatic system transports fluids throughout the body. The lymphatic system includes organs such as the thymus, bone marrow, spleen, tonsils, appendix, and Peyer patches in the small intestine. These organs produce and process specialized white blood cells that fight infection and cancer.

WHAT IS HODGKIN’S
LYMPHOMA?

Cancer begins when normal cells start to grow out of control. Almost any cells in any part of the body can become cancerous. Cancer can spread to other parts of the body.

Hodgkin Lymphoma is a cancer of the lymphatic system. It may affect people of any age but is most common among people between 20 and 40 years old, and those over 55 years

It occurs when cells in the lymphatic system grow abnormally and spread beyond it.

Hodgkin Lymphoma is one of two common types of cancers of the lymphatic system. The other type, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, is far more common.

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS

  • Night Sweats - Lymphoma can cause night sweats that drench your sleepwear and Bedsheets.

  • Itching all over the body - According to research, persistent itchiness (‘pruritus’) without a rash can be a symptom of lymphoma

  • Unexpected Weight Loss - Sudden and unintentional weight loss can be a sign of lymphoma. Rapid weight loss of more than 10% of original body weight during the 6 months before diagnosis.

  • Persistent cough - A persistent cough usually happens when HL affects the lymph nodes in the chest or the lungs. This might also cause you to have difficulty breathing. Coughing happens when swollen lymph nodes in the chest press on the trachea (windpipe). Itching all over the body - According to research, persistent itchiness (‘pruritus’) without a rash can be a symptom of lymphoma.

  • Unexpected Weight Loss - Sudden and unintentional weight loss can be a sign of lymphoma. Rapid weight loss of more than 10% of original body weight during the 6 months before diagnosis.

  • Persistent cough - A persistent cough usually happens when HL affects the lymph nodes in the chest or the lungs. This might also cause you to have difficulty breathing. Coughing happens when swollen lymph nodes in the chest press on the trachea (windpipe).

RISK FACTORS

There are no known or proven causes of Hodgkin Lymphoma. However, possible risk factors that could trigger the condition include, but are not limited to

  • Low immunity

  • Virus Infections

  • Rubber industry workers being exposed to chemicals used in their operations

TREATMENT OPTIONS

Since there have been no scientifically proven methods to cure this type of cancer, other measures have been put in place to help manage the disease. Some of these management measures are

  • Chemotherapy: This is a type of cancer treatment that uses one or more anti-cancer drugs to keep cancer cells from growing, dividing, and making more cells. This use of drugs to destroy cancer cells is part of a standardized chemotherapy regimen.

  • Radiation Therapy: High doses of radiation are used in radiation therapy, also known as radiotherapy, as a cancer treatment to eradicate cancer cells and reduce tumor size. This treatment is generally provided as part of cancer treatment control. Most Hodgkin lymphoma patients receive radiation therapy as part of their treatment (HL). When HL just affects one area of the body, it is particularly helpful.

  • Stem cell transplanting: This is a procedure in which a patient receives healthy stem cells (blood-forming cells) to replace their stem cells that have been destroyed by treatment with radiation or high doses of chemotherapy.

Book An Outreach

Book Outreach
Name
Name
First
Last