Know what lymphoma is and how to deal with it

Lymphomas are cancers related to lymphocytes (immune system cells), which can affect anyone, of any age.

Symptoms of lymphoma that allow for its early detection

The enlargement of a lymph node is the main symptom that allows early detection of lymphomas. It can occur anywhere in the body and if the enlarged lymph node persists for more than three weeks without apparent cause, an urgent visit to a hematology expert is necessary to check for lymphoma.

Diagnosis of lymphoma

To diagnose lymphoma, first of all a physical examination of the lymph node areas should be carried out to check whether one or more nodes are enlarged. Also, a blood test will help to indicate if there are any blood cells with an altered level. If both tests confirm the suspicion of lymphoma, a lymph node biopsy should be performed to establish the definitive diagnosis.

The fact that there are 40 different types of lymphoma means that the prognosis and appropriate treatment varies according to the type of lymphoma. An accurate diagnosis of the type of lymphoma is therefore essential.

However, diagnosis is not easy, since the morphology of the cells and the molecular characteristics come into play, and the diagnosis must be made by an anatomic pathology team to ensure maximum precision.

Moreover, the diagnosis is completed with a whole-body imaging test and a bone marrow biopsy (taken from the hip) to assess the extent of the disease. This makes it possible, above all, to observe whether the lymph nodes in the thorax and abdomen are affected, since they cannot be assessed by palpation alone.

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The rapid diagnostic circuit makes it possible to reduce to two weeks the time between the first consultation of a patient suspected of having lymphoma and the start of treatment.

Personalized treatment for lymphoma

Depending on the type of lymphoma and the extent of the disease, the treatment to be received by each patient is decided.

This treatment is usually based on chemotherapy and, in a few cases, is accompanied by radiotherapy. The type and intensity of the chemotherapy varies according to the lymphoma and the extent of the disease, and the mildness or intensity of the treatment will depend on this. Surgery is not contemplated because it is a type of cancer spread throughout the body.

If chemotherapy is not enough to treat the lymphoma and the patient’s health allows it, a bone marrow autotransplant is performed with the aim of curing the disease. As transplantation is only authorized in a few accredited public health centers, patients will need to be referred for treatment.

Once treatment is completed, the patient should be followed up with physical examinations, blood tests and imaging tests every three months during the first year to ensure that the lymphoma does not recur and, if it does, to detect it early. In the following years, follow-up tests are reduced to an annual check-up from the fifth year onwards. However, such check-ups should be maintained for life, because some can recur in the long term.