lymphoma | Lymphoma (lymph node enlargement)

Lymphoma (lymph node enlargement)



Enlargement of the lymph nodes can easily be detected by palpation.
Lymphoma is a general term for swelling of the lymph nodes and lymphatic organs (including spleen, and tonsils). Whether benign or malignant - so whether it is cancer or not - actually doesn't matter when choosing a term.

When doctors talk about Lymphoma, they mean but often only the so called malignant lymphomas (malicious).

+ More about: malignant lymphomas ++

This in turn is a collective term for all types of cancer, which arise from the cells of the lymphatic system. Malignant lymphomas as lymphoma are colloquially referred to or lymph node cancer, which is not quite right, because malignant lymphomas can affect other organs such as the spleen and lymphatic system.

What is the lymphatic system?
The lymphatic system consists of Lymphoid organs and the lymphatic system.

Also the bone marrow, spleen, tonsils, the Appendix of the blind arm, the Peyer plaques located in the wall of the small intestine and that above the heart include the 500–600 lymph nodes are located in the human body to the Lymphoid organs located, thymus gland.

Fig. 2: Cancer of the thymus gland - also a lymphoma
Cancer of the thymus gland - also a Lymphoma
The lymphatic system runs through the body - closely adjacent to the blood vessels - and transports lymph, a clear tissue fluid which continues on from the fine blood capillaries into the tissue and from there in the lymphatic vessels.
Fig. 1: Lymph nodes and lymphatic channels in the abdominal cavity; Lymph nodes in detail

Lymphocytes are the cells of the lymphatic system. They belong to the white blood cells (leukocytes) and for the function of the immune system of vital importance. Because lymphocytes be instrumental both foreign structures - that is, to detect a pathogen - as well as diseased body's cells first and foremost in the organism and eliminate.

With the B - and T-lymphocytes there are two large groups of lymphocytes, which in turn consist of several cell types. They all arise from common progenitor cells (stem cells) in the bone marrow and then ripen through intermediaries to functional immune cells.

How are lymphomas?
Benign Lymphoma
Fig. 3: Examination of lymph nodes
Fig. 3: Examination of the lymph nodes\
Benign swelling and enlargement of lymph nodes are usually associated with infections and are an expression of the invading pathogen-induced defence and inflammatory reaction. Infections in the throat area, are accompanied by a swelling of the lymph nodes in the area - about behind the ears - are an example that most people know that. The possible causes range from a harmless cold to the HIV infection. If the inflammation was successfully resisted by the immune system and subsides, also the lymph node swelling is back again.

Malignant lymphomas ("Lymphoma")
Malignant lymphomas develop when cells of the lymphatic system degenerate and proliferate uncontrollably. One can divide them into two groups: the Hodgkin lymphoma and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Many different forms of disease can be assigned to these groups.

Diagnosis: Lymphoma
Malignant lymphomas are malignancies that emanate from the lymphatic system. Learn everything about the disease.

The majority of all malignant lymphomas belong to the non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

+ More on the topic: non-Hodgkin's lymphoma ++

Because there are many different subtypes of malignant lymphomas, the World Health Organization (WHO) has developed for the description of the different types of lymphoma today world-wide "WHO classification of malignant lymphomas" are regularly published on the is brought up-to-date scientific. Criteria are thereby the appearance of degenerate cells under a microscope, their stage of maturation and the molecular properties that the cell type, they emerge from the, as well as the clinical appearance.

What symptoms can occur in Lymphoma?

Benign lymphoma are the symptoms of the triggering condition, i.e. usually an infection at the Center. The lymph node enlargement itself causes usually only minor symptoms such as mild pain - especially for touch - or a feeling of pressure.

Lymph node swelling not again regress after a relatively short time, are a warning sign of a malignant lymphoma. This is particularly true if the enlarged lymph nodes are painless and feel hard. Therefore, a doctor should be consulted on lymph node swelling, more than two weeks are.

Lymphoma can be diagnosed only by the removal of the enlarged node. Should it confirm the suspicion must be clarified in what stage the disease is located.

How is the diagnosis made?

The ultimate and essential diagnostic measure a malignant lymphoma is suspected is taking a larger biopsy (biopsy). This is then examined in the laboratory. That this made allow investigations of tissue, as well as the molecular, genetic and immunological properties of the cells on one, beyond any doubt, to determine whether there is a malignant lymphoma. On the other hand, they give also tells what type of lymphoma it is.

This lymph node biopsy, confirmed the suspicion must be performed following a so-called staging. This will clarify what stage the disease is. Decisive criteria are as many groups of lymph nodes are affected, and whether the lymphoma already has spread to organs outside of the lymph nodes, for example, on the bone marrow, the liver or the lung.

There's a whole series of possible investigation methods for staging. These include laboratory analyses of blood, modern imaging techniques such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or Positron Emission Tomography (PET) and the bone scan, ultrasound, x-rays, a bone marrow biopsy. Which examination is required, must be decided individually from patient to patient.

How are lymphomas treated?

For benign Lymphoma therapy is limited to treatment of the triggering cause - if this is at all necessary. Because often the lymph node swelling is due to "harmless" diseases such as a sore throat, the by alone again subside.

Malignant lymphomas should always in specialized centres are treated as the therapy is individually adapted. In General, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, stem cell transplantation, immunotherapy, Radioimmunotherapy or targeted therapies are used.