Lymphoma Symptoms

Throughout the body, there is this disease fighting network known as the lymphatic system; an important part of the immune system. A cancer of this very network has a name to it, and that is 'lymphoma'. There are two kinds of it. They include Hodgkin's lymphoma and Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Some symptoms are common to both these cancers, while some are not.

Symptoms Typical of Hodgkin's Lymphoma
Hodgkin's lymphoma, is one of the two types of lymphoma, whose symptoms we are going to have a discussion on. Here, the cells which belong to the lymphatic system, somehow begin to grow in an abnormal fashion, spreading beyond the system. Over time, this disorder afflicts the immune system, thus affecting the body's ability to fight off infection and giving rise various unpleasant symptoms. Common ones include prolonging fatigue, fever accompanying chills, night sweats, and abnormal weight loss. There may also occur swelling of the lymph nodes in the neck and other areas like the armpit and groin. However, this swelling is often painless. Coughing, itching and poor appetite may also occur.

Symptoms Typical of Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma
Lymphocytes are a type of white blood cells. It is from these cells that the tumors develop and give rise to Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma cancer. This type is known to be more common than the one described above. Abdominal pain, chest pain, and coughing are its main symptoms. There might be swollen lymph nodes in the neck, armpit and groin, just as in the case of the other kind of lymphoma. Trouble breathing, weight loss, fever, fatigue and night sweats are the other symptoms which are observed.

Hodgkin's Lymphoma Treatment
The treatment of this condition depends upon multiple factors such as the stage of the disease, age, kinds of symptoms, factors like pregnancy and the overall health status of the patient. The treatment includes chemotherapy, radiation and bone marrow or stem cell transplant. Again, the choice of these methods depend upon the condition of the individual.

Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma Treatment
Even here, the treatment is influenced by multiple factors, as it was in the above case. However, this kind of the disease, for some people, does not require any kind of treatment, except for a wait-and-watch approach. This is when the disease appears to have a slow rate of growing, so that it does not cause any signs or symptoms thus, not requiring any treatment.

When the condition does start showing symptoms, the treatment may involve chemotherapy, radiation therapy and stem cell transplant, just like in the case of the Hodgkin's lymphoma. In addition to these, patients might be put on medications which may aid the immune system to fight off the cancer causing cells. Also, there are medications which when given to patients, help the radiation to directly target the cancer cells.

The fact that one may be suffering from lymphoma, may be overwhelming and depressing. So apart from following the doctor's advice, there are a few things which when followed, may help the affected person cope with the situation. These include being abreast with everything about his/her cancer, getting in touch with cancer survivors, taking proper care of one self, staying active, and above all, holding on to the positive side of life. Keeping faith on oneself is perhaps the greatest strength one can give himself/herself to cope with having a disease such as cancer.