hodgkin's lymphoma survival | Hodgkin's disease: symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, survival

Hodgkin's disease: symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, survival


Diseases
Summary of the article
The causes
Risk Factors
Symptoms
Diagnosis
Care and treatment
Radiotherapy
Stem cell transplant
Diet, physical activity and monitoring
Hodgkin's disease is a tumor that develops in the cells of the immune system, the system of our body that fights infections and other diseases.

The lymphatic system is part of the immune system and includes:

The lymph vessels. The lymphatic system consists of a network of lymphatic vessels that fork and reach all the tissues of the body.
Sap. In the lymphatic vessels, it circulates a transparent liquid, the lymph, which contains the white blood cells, the B and T lymphocytes. especially
lymph nodes. The lymphatic vessels are connected to small tissue centres, the lymph nodes. The lymph nodes are grouped in the neck, under the arms, chest, abdomen and groin and, within them, keep the white blood cells. They are used to trap and remove bacteria or other harmful substances that may eventually be present in the SAP.
Other organs. Among the other organs that are part of the lymphatic system include: The tonsil, thymus and spleen. The lymphatic tissue is found in other parts of the body, including the stomach, skin and small intestine.
The lymphatic tissue is found in the different parts of the body, so that Hodgkin's lymphoma can develop virtually everywhere. It usually comes from the lymph nodes above the diaphragm, the thin muscle separating the chest and abdomen; You can develop in a group of lymph nodes or, in some cases, also in other parts of the lymphatic system.

To properly estimate the probability of survival is necessary to assess certain aspects such as the symptoms manifest themselves and the possible simultaneous presence of other diseases; Age can also be crucial in the efficacy of treatment when too advanced the chances of survival decrease. In general, however, Hodgkin's lymphoma is considered a disease with a good chance of survival (about 85% of cases).

The causes
Hodgkin's lymphoma develops when a failure occurs in one of the lymphocytes (usually T-lymphocytes). The abnormal cell is called the Reed-Sternberg cell.

Reed-Sternberg's cell divisions and replicates, the new cells, in turn, are duplicated, producing increasingly abnormal cells that do not die as it regularly happens to those that are healthy. Abnormal cells are not able to protect the organism from infection or other disorders, such as an opposite accumulation forming the mass of said tumor of diseased tissues.

Risk Factors
Physicians seldom understand why Hodgkin's lymphoma affects some patients and not others; However, research shows that some risk factors increase the risk of acquiring this cancer.

Among the risk factors for Hodgkin lymphoma include:

Virus. If you have contracted Epstein-Barr (EBV) or human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), the risk of developing Hodgkin's disease may increase. Lymphoma, however, is non-contagious, which is, not passed from patient to patient.

Weakening of the immune system. The risk of suffering from Hodgkin's lymphoma may increase if the immune system is weak (e.g. due to hereditary disease or certain medications used after a transplant).

Age. Hodgkin's lymphoma occurs more frequently in adolescents and adults aged 15 to 35 years and in adults over 55 years of age.

Previous family. The family of a patient with Hodgkin's lymphoma, especially our siblings, may increase the risk of getting sick.

Having one or more risk factors does not necessarily mean getting sick. The majority of patients who have risk factors will never be affected by a tumor.

Symptoms

Hodgkin's lymphoma can cause various symptoms:

Swelling (not painful) to the lymph nodes of the neck, armpits or groin,

Increased sensitivity to ' alcohol or pain in the lymph nodes after drinking,

Apparently unexplainable thinness,

Fever that does not diminish,

Intense night sweats,

Itching

Cough, difficulty breathing or chest pain,

Weakness and fatigue that does not disappear.

In most cases, these symptoms are not caused by a tumor, but may be caused by infection or other disorders. If the symptoms last more than two weeks, you should consult your doctor to get a diagnosis and therapy.

Diagnosis

If you suffer from swollen lymph nodes or other symptoms that might indicate Hodgkin's lymphoma, your doctor will try to diagnose the cause of the problem, probably inform about your health problems and your Family.

I presume you will have to undergo the following tests:

Visit. Your doctor will check if there are swollen lymph nodes in the neck, under the arms and in the groin area and whether the spleen or liver is swollen.

Blood tests. The complete analysis control the number of white blood cells, other blood cells and other substances in the blood.

Chest X-ray. X-rays may present swelling of the lymph nodes or other signs of problems in the chest.

Biopsy. A biopsy is the only safe way to diagnose Hodgkin's lymphoma. Your doctor may remove a lymph node set (resection biopsy) or only partially (incisional biopsy). A very fine needle (technique called needle aspirated) is generally not capable of aspiring a sufficient sample to treat the pathological diagnosis of Hodgkin's lymphoma, so you need to remove the whole lymph node. The pathologist then uses a microscope to see if the cancer cells are present in the tissue. In the sample of sick patients, they are usually abnormal cells present, a larger than normal, cells called Reed-Sternberg cells, which are not found in the tissues of healthy people.

Care and treatment

The doctor will describe the therapeutic possibilities and expected results, you can work with him to create a treatment plan that meets your needs.

The GP can refer you to a specialist, or you may be yourself obliging yourself some advice on the specialist to consult. Among specialists capable of treating Hodgkin's lymphoma include:

The hematologist,

The oncologist,

The radiologist.

Your doctor may advise you to choose an oncologist specializing in the treatment of Hodgkin's lymphoma, often these specialists work in university hospitals or in the most advanced medical facilities.

The choice of treatment depends mainly on:

Hodgkin's lymphoma type (most patients with classical Hodgkin's lymphoma),

Placement (the area where the tumor is located),

The size may be greater than 10 cm from the tumor,

Age

Any weight loss, intense night sweats or fever.

Those who suffer from Hodgkin lymphoma can be cured with chemotherapy, radiation therapy or both.

If the lymphoma comes back after the treatment, it says recurrent or recurrent cancer. Those who suffer from Hodgkin's lymphoma recurrent will have to resort to chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy in a more aggressive, and then to a stem cell transplant.

It is advisable to learn about side effects of chemotherapy and radiation therapy to normal daily activities. Chemotherapy and radiation, in fact, also often damage healthy cells and tissues, and side effects are common. Side effects may be different from one patient to and may even vary from one session to another. Before the start of the following therapy team, you explain what side effects you can achieve and suggest how to treat: the younger the patient, the easier it is to cope with the effects of treatment and sideways.

Throughout the care you can make use of supportive care, namely the therapy aims to prevent or fight infection, control pain and other symptoms, alleviate the side effects of cancer therapy and help you treat The psychological aspects of cancer diagnosis.

Before you begin treatment, you should ask your doctor about these questions:

What type is Hodgkin's lymphoma? Can I get a copy of the pathology report?

At what stage is my cancer? Where is he?

What are the treatments themselves for me? What would you recommend? What for?

Do I have to have different types of therapy?

What results can I expect from each type of therapy?

Hodgkin's disease: symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, survival

What are the possible risks and side effects of each treatment? What can we do to control them?

How long will the treatment last?

What do I need to do to prepare?

You will need admission to the hospital? If so, for how long?

How much is this going to cost me? Are the exams and treatments refundable?

What I will have repercussions in my daily life?

I recommend you participate in a clinical trial?

How many times do I have to do once the controls have finished therapy?

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy for Hodgkin's lymphoma uses special medications to kill lymphoma cells. It is called systemic therapy because drugs must enter the bloodstream to reach cancer cells in almost every part of the body.

Usually, the drugs administered are several, most of them are administered intravenously, while others are taken orally.

Chemotherapy is administered in different cycles, each cycle should be observed after a period of rest. The length of the rest period and the number of cycles depend on the stage in which the lymphoma is located and the types of medications used.

You can do chemotherapy at the hospital, professional office or health care of the doctor or at home. Some patients had to be hospitalized.

The side effects depend essentially on the type and dose of drugs: chemotherapy, in fact, can damage not only the sick cells, but also healthy cells that divide quickly, for example:

Blood cells: Chemotherapy destroys many healthy blood cells, so you run a greater risk of infection, get bruises or start bleeding easily; Also, it feels very weak and tired. The team that will follow will do blood tests to check if there are healthy cells in sufficient numbers. If there are few, there are medications that can help the body to produce new ones.

The cells of the hair bulbs. Chemotherapy can cause hair loss. The hair grows back after the end of therapy, but their texture and color may be slightly different.

The cells of the digestive mucosa. Chemotherapy can lead to loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and ulcers in the mouth and lips. Ask for advice from the team that follows you on therapies that can help you overcome these problems.

Some types of chemotherapy can cause infertility:

In men. Chemotherapy can damage sperm even in a permanent way. Some men then decide to freeze their sperm before treatment (sperm bank).

Women. Chemotherapy can damage the ovaries. Women who wish to become mothers should inquire before starting treatment with the following team about conservation how OVA.

Some medications that fight Hodgkin's lymphoma can cause heart disease or other cancers later on. Remember that periodic checks after the end of the treatment are always important.

Before you begin chemotherapy we recommend that you ask your doctor the following questions:

What medications will be given? What are the positive effects we can expect?

When you start therapy? When will it end? How many times do you play?

Where am I going? Will I be able to drive, once the session is over?

What can I do to better cope with therapy?

How do you determine if the treatment is effective?

What side effects do I have to warn you about? Can I prevent or curarne some?

Will there be permanent side effects?

Radiotherapy

Radiotherapy for Hodgkin's lymphoma uses high-energy rays to kill lymphoma cells; It is able to reduce the size of tumors and contribute to the prevention of pain.

During the radiation therapy machine that emits radiation is pointed directly to the lymph nodes and areas affected by the lymphoma. It is a local therapy because it is intended only for cells in the area to be treated. Most patients have to go to the hospital or clinic five days a week for several weeks.

The side effects of radiation therapy are essentially dependent on the dose of Radiance and the part of the body to be treated, such as direct radiation against the abdomen can cause nausea, vomiting and diarrhea, while those directed Towards the neck and chest can cause dryness of the throat, sore throat and difficulty swallowing.

The skin of the treated area may blush, become dry and brittle; In the area affected by the radiation, you can also lose their hair or hair.

Many patients during radiotherapy, complain of deep fatigue, especially in the last weeks of treatment. Rest is important, but doctors generally recommend that a life as active as possible.

The side effects of radiation therapy can be difficult to treat, but you can usually treat or control them. Remember that your doctor has your disposition and can suggest the best ways to alleviate them.

It may also be helpful to know that in most cases the side effects are not permanent. However, we advise you to ask your doctor about possible long-term effects. After the end of the treatment, for example, you may have a higher probability than the cancer of repeat offenders, also radiation therapy in the chest area can cause heart disease or pulmonary lesions.

Radiotherapy in the pelvic region may cause sterility, temporary or permanent, depending on your age:

In men. If the radiation is concentrated in the pelvic region, the testicles may be damaged. Resort to sperm bank before treatment may be a chance to evaluate.

In women. Direct radiation in the pelvic region can damage the ovaries. The menstrual cycle you can stop and you can start suffering from hot flashes and vaginal dryness. If the patient is young, the menstrual cycle is more likely to recur. Those who want to become a mother should contact the care team about how oocytes are stored before initiating treatment.

Before radiotherapy, we should ask the following questions to your doctor:

Why do I need radiation therapy?

When do I have to start? When it ends?

How will I feel during the treatment?

How can you tell if the treatment is working?

Are there any permanent side effects?

Stem cell transplant

If Hodgkin's lymphoma returns after treatment, it is possible to receive a stem cell transplant. Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (autologous stem cell transplant) will allow you to undergo more aggressive chemotherapy and/or therapy. The more important doses both destroy the cells of Hodgkin's lymphoma healthy cells in the bone marrow.

Stem cell transplants take place in the hospital, before undergo aggressive treatment are explanted stem cells, which can be treated to eliminate the cancer cells present between them. Stem cells are frozen and stored. After aggressive treatment that will kill Hodgkin's lymphoma cells, stem cells are thawed and re-implanted by means of a flexible tube placed in one of the main veins of the neck or chest. New stem cells are formed from those transplanted.

Before the stem cell transplant, we should ask the following questions to your doctor:

What are the risks and benefits of stem cell transplant?

How long is the hospital? I also have to follow a supportive treatment? How can I protect myself from germs?

How can I mitigate side effects?

How will stem cells affect my daily life?

What are the chances of complete healing?

Diet, physical activity and monitoring

It is essential to take care of themselves by following a healthy diet and trying to keep as active as possible.

To maintain a healthy weight, you need to take the right amount of calories, it is also important to take enough protein to maintain its strength. Eating well will help you feel better and have more energy.

In some cases, especially during treatment or in phases immediately after, you may want to not eat because you feel tired or have nausea. Probably you feel that the food tastes different from the usual; Also the side effects of therapy (for example, lack of appetite, nausea, vomiting or sores in the mouth) can prevent you from eating well. The doctor, dietitian, or other members of the following team, you can suggest the best ways to deal with these problems.

Many people say that they feel better if they can stay active: walking, yoga, swimming or other activities will help you to preserve strength and increase energy. With exercise, you can reduce nausea and pain and can better withstand therapy and stress. Before you start any physical activity, remember to ask your doctor for advice; In addition, if the activity causes pain or other problems, inform your doctor or nurse.

Followed

After the end of the treatment, we should ask the following questions to your doctor:

At what rate will I have to carry out checks?

Which control exams do I recommend?

Including a review and the next, what problems or symptoms should I pay particular attention to, to inform?

After the treatment of Hodgkin's lymphoma will undergo periodic inspections. Although the symptoms of cancer have disappeared, in fact the tumor may recur, because the therapy may not have suppressed certain tumor cells in some areas of the organism.

Periodic inspections can also find problems arising from cancer therapy. Who has fought Hodgkin's lymphoma runs more risk of suffering from heart disease, leukemia, melanoma, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, bone tumor, breast, lung, stomach and thyroid. Controls are used to not neglect changes in health status, and to treat them in case of problems. Among the necessary controls are:

Medical exams,

Blood tests,

Chest X-rays,

CT scans and other tests.

After the treatment can be administered to patients flu vaccine and other vaccines. You need to discuss with the medical team the need for the administration of certain vaccines.

If between one order and the other you have health problems, you must contact your doctor immediately.

Translation and integration by Elisa Bruno

Scientific review and correction by Dr. Guido Distemper (pharmacist)

The information contained in this article must not in any way replace the doctor-patient relationship; On the contrary, it is advisable to seek advice from your doctor before you implement a given advice or indication.