Lymphoma Treatment

One of the most important part of the immune system of the body, the lymphatic system fights infections and diseases, and it includes numerous thin vessels, which are spread throughout the body. These vessels carry a colorless fluid called the lymph, and this fluid contains lymphocytes which can fight diseases. Some of the most important parts of the lymphatic system are the bone marrow, tonsils, thymus and spleen. Whenever the cells of these parts grow abnormally, it causes lymphoma. They divide in a haphazard manner due to which tumors are formed. The cancer cells can spread rapidly to other parts of the body and so prevention and treatment options need to be availed of as soon as possible. There are two types of lymphoma - Hodgkin's and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and these two types are divided into more than 67 subtypes. Follicular lymphoma is the most common type of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. The main difference between these two types of lymphoma is in their development, spread and the ways they are treated.

Treatment Options for Lymphoma

There are several treatment options available for follicular lymphoma treatment, besides the other two types of lymphoma. The disease can be treated depending on the type, stage and histology of the disease. There are basically four types of treatment options available - radiation therapy, chemotherapy, targeted therapy and vaccine therapy.

Radiation therapy includes using radiations like high energy X-rays so that cancer cells are killed. Usually, there are two types of radiation therapy - external and internal. In external radiation, the radiating machine is used outside the body and it radiates radioactive substances towards the cancer cells. On the other hand, in internal therapy, the radioactive substances are sealed in catheters, wires, seeds or needles and it's placed near the cancer cells. In case of pregnant women, such treatment is usually postponed, as radiation therapy may harm the unborn child.

Chemotherapy is another option which is used for lymphoma treatment, wherein drugs are used to prevent cancer cells from growing. These drugs either kill the cancer cells or prevents them from dividing. Whenever chemotherapy is injected, the drug spreads throughout the body, reaches the cancer cells and kills them.

Targeted therapy involves the use of drugs so as to identify, attack and destroy cancer cells only without harming other cells of the body. Monoclonal antibody therapy comes under this type of treatment process, wherein proteins are prepared in the laboratory and these proteins can identify the cancer cells and kill them.

In vaccine therapy the immune system of the patient is used to kill cancer cells. The substances produced by the immune system of the body are replicated and produced in a laboratory, thereby helping to boost the immune system of the body.

Lymphoma Treatment and Prognosis

The treatment options and prognosis depends on the stage, type and the general health of the patient. Moreover, it also depends on LDH levels, an enzyme in the body. There are some types of lymphoma cancer which spreads very rapidly and immediate treatment and preventive measures need to be taken.

Side Effects of Lymphoma Treatment

There are several side effects of lymphoma treatment, and the most common of them is the destruction of the surrounding cells when chemotherapy is applied. Moreover, chemotherapy can reduce the number of blood cells produced by the body, thereby causing anemia, thrombocytopenia and leukopenia. In addition, a person may get runny bowel, besides feeling tired quite frequently. Hair loss is another common side effect of chemotherapy. Side effects of radiation include fatigue, hair loss, nausea and skin irritation.

So there are several treatment options which you can choose from. However, you need to take the side effects into consideration before going for it. Consult with your doctor and learn the pros and cons of going through the procedures mentioned above.