Lymphoma Awareness Day

Today is Lymphoma Awareness Day. It is very common to not be diagnosed with Lymphoma until it is in the later stages, like with my case. As with every cancer, early detection can make a huge difference.

WHAT’S LYMPHOMA?

Lymphomas are a family of blood
cancers affecting lymphocytes –white
blood cells that normally protects you
from illness.
The abnormal lymphocytes can
accumulate to form tumors, often in the
lymph nodes, but also in the bone marrow
and other parts of the body.

WHAT ARE THE RISK
FACTORS?
The causes are not known. Risk factors
associated with lymphomas include:
o Immune suppression
o Persistent inflammation/chronic infection
o Aging
o Environmental carcinogens – nitrates,
fertilizers, PCBs and other chemicals are
suspected

WHAT ARE THE
SYMPTOMS?
The symptoms vary by type and locations
of the tumors.
Some common symptoms (which can
often have other causes) include
o painless lumps in the neck, armpit and groin,
o drenching night sweats,
o unexplained persistent fever
o unexplained weight loss
o red skin patches
o chronic fatigue
o low blood cell counts

ANYONE WE KNOW?
Reflected in the high incidence rates is the
number of famous and notable individuals
who have been touched by the disease,
including Dick Gregory, King Hussein of
Jordan, Charles A. Lindbergh, Roger
Maris, Jackie Kennedy Onassis, Joey
Ramone, Senator Fred Thompson, Paul E.
Tsongas, and Gene Widler.

HOW MANY TYPES?

In Hodgkin's disease, the abnormal
lymphocyte is the Reed-Sternberg cell,
which isn't found in other types of
lymphomas.
All other types of lymphomas are called
non-Hodgkin's (NHL).
There are about 30 types of NHL.
The main clinical categories are
aggressive grade (fast growing) and
indolent grade (slow growing)
Indolent lymphomas can transform to
higher grade.

The most common is aggressive
diffuse large b-cell lymphoma.
The second most common is indolent
follicular b-cell lymphoma

The stage at diagnosis is often
widespread, however lymphomas are typically initially sensitive
and responsive to chemotherapy,
radiotherapies, and biological therapies.

Some sites you can go to for more informatiopn about Lymphoma are
http://lymphomation.org/
http://lymphoma.org/
http://www.leukemia-lymphoma.org/