Lymphoma Myths Busted😱: Everything You Need to Know but Doctors Don’t Always Tell You

🔴What Is Lymphoma?

Lymphoma is a type of cancer that affects the lymphatic system, which is part of the body’s immune system. This disease involves the abnormal growth of lymphocytes, a type of white blood cell. Lymphoma can occur in different parts of the body, including the lymph nodes, spleen, and bone marrow. Understanding lymphoma is essential for recognizing symptoms, knowing treatment options, and supporting loved ones who may be affected by this illness.

There are two main types of lymphoma: Hodgkin lymphoma and non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Each type behaves differently and requires different treatment approaches.

🔴Types of Lymphoma

There are two primary categories of lymphoma:

🔺𝗛𝗼𝗱𝗴𝗸𝗶𝗻 𝗟𝘆𝗺𝗽𝗵𝗼𝗺𝗮

This type of lymphoma is less common and mainly affects younger adults. It usually begins in a lymph node and spreads to other parts of the body. The key feature of Hodgkin lymphoma is the presence of Reed-Sternberg cells, a type of abnormal cell found in the lymph nodes.

🔺𝗡𝗼𝗻-𝗛𝗼𝗱𝗴𝗸𝗶𝗻 𝗟𝘆𝗺𝗽𝗵𝗼𝗺𝗮

Non-Hodgkin lymphoma is more common and can occur at any age. It involves several different subtypes, and its behavior can vary greatly. Some subtypes of non-Hodgkin lymphoma grow slowly, while others spread quickly.

Both types can be serious, but advances in treatment have improved survival rates for many people.

🔴Early Signs and Symptoms of Lymphoma + Self-Check Guide

The symptoms of lymphoma can vary, depending on the type and where it occurs in the body. Some common signs include:

🔺𝗦𝘄𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗻 𝗹𝘆𝗺𝗽𝗵 𝗻𝗼𝗱𝗲𝘀, 𝗼𝗳𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗻𝗲𝗰𝗸, 𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗿𝗺𝘀 𝗼𝗿 𝗴𝗿𝗼𝗶𝗻

🔺𝗨𝗻𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗲𝗱 𝘄𝗲𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗹𝗼𝘀𝘀

🔺𝗙𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗹𝘀

🔺𝗡𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝘀𝘄𝗲𝗮𝘁𝘀

🔺𝗙𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗴𝘂𝗲

🔺𝗜𝘁𝗰𝗵𝘆 𝘀𝗸𝗶𝗻

🔺𝗦𝗵𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗯𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗵 𝗼𝗿 𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵 (if lymphoma affects the chest area)

However, these symptoms can also be caused by other conditions, so it’s important to see a doctor for a proper diagnosis if they persist.

𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝘁𝗼 𝗖𝗵𝗲𝗰𝗸 𝗟𝘆𝗺𝗽𝗵 𝗡𝗼𝗱𝗲𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗡𝗲𝗰𝗸

🔺With your fingertips, in a gentle circular motion feel the lymph nodes.

🔺Start with the nodes in front of the ear then follow in order finishing just above the collar bone

🔺Always check your nodes in this order.

🔺Check both sides for comparison. If you have an enlarged lymph node it may feel like a swelling the size of a pea, sometimes they can be larger.

When feeling the nodes in your neck:

🔺Tilt your head towards the side you are examining, this helps to relax the muscle.

🔺Now press your fingers under the muscle.

When checking the lymph nodes above the collar bone:

🔺Hunch your shoulders and bring your elbows forward to relax the skin.

🔺Now feel above the collar bone.

How to Check Lymph Nodes in the Armpit:

🔺Sit in a comfortable position.

🔺Check each armpit in turn.

To check the left side, lift your arm slightly then place the fingers of your right hand high into the armpit and then lower your arm.

🔺Feel in the central area of the armpit.

Now move your fingers firmly against the chest wall as follows:

🔺Along the front border of the armpit.

🔺Along the back border of the armpit.

🔺Feel along the inner border of the arm.

🔺Now check the other armpit.

How to Check Lymph Nodes in the Groin:

🔺Feel the horizontal chain of nodes in the right groin just below the ligament.

🔺Feel the vertical chain along the upper thigh.

🔺Check the lymph nodes in the other groin.

🔴Key Triggers and Risk Factors of Lymphoma

Lymphoma happens when the white blood cells in your lymphatic system change (mutate) into rapidly growing cancer cells that don’t die. Like most cancers, the majority of the genetic mutations that cause lymphoma happen spontaneously, without an identifiable cause. There are several risk factors linked to lymphoma. Some of these increase your chance of developing lymphoma, or particular types of lymphoma. Risk factors for lymphoma include:

🔺𝗔𝗴𝗲: Lymphoma can develop at any age, but non-Hodgkin lymphoma is more common in older people, while Hodgkin lymphoma is most common in those aged 15–34 or over 60.

🔺𝗚𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿: Lymphoma is slightly more common in males than females.

🔺𝗙𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗹𝘆 𝗛𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆: Having a close relative with lymphoma or another blood cancer slightly increases your risk, due to small inherited genetic changes.

🔺𝗜𝗻𝗳𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀: Certain infections, like EBV, HIV, and HCV, can increase the risk of lymphoma, though most people with these infections do not develop lymphoma.

🔺𝗟𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗜𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗲 𝗦𝘆𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗺: A weakened immune system, such as from HIV or after an organ transplant, makes it harder to fight infections that may increase lymphoma risk.

🔺𝗔𝘂𝘁𝗼𝗶𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗲 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗱𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀: Autoimmune diseases, like Sjögren’s syndrome or rheumatoid arthritis, can increase lymphoma risk due to long-term immune system activation or immune-suppressing medications.

🔺𝗢𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗱𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀: Monoclonal Gammopathy of Unknown Significance (MGUS) can sometimes lead to lymphoma, but it is a rare condition.

🔺𝗣𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗼𝘂𝘀 𝗖𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗿 𝗧𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁: Past treatments, like chemotherapy or radiation, may increase the risk of developing lymphoma later on.

🔺𝗪𝗲𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁: Obesity (BMI over 30) is linked to a higher risk of many cancers, including lymphoma.

🔺𝗖𝗵𝗲𝗺𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹𝘀: Exposure to industrial chemicals, solvents, weedkillers, or old hair dyes may increase the risk of lymphoma, especially in certain occupations.

🔴Medication and Other Treatment Approaches: What Really Works for Lymphoma

The following drugs have been approved for the treatment of NHL. These medications are used in different treatment regimens, either alone or in combination, to help control lymphoma and improve patient outcomes:

🔺𝗥𝗶𝘁𝘂𝘅𝗮𝗻

🔺𝗜𝗺𝗯𝗿𝘂𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗮

🔺𝗖𝗮𝗹𝗾𝘂𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲

🔺𝗕𝗿𝘂𝗸𝗶𝗻𝘀𝗮

🔺𝗩𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗹𝗲𝘅𝘁𝗮

🔺𝗥𝗲𝘃𝗹𝗶𝗺𝗶𝗱

🔺𝗧𝗮𝘇𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗸

🔺𝗫𝗽𝗼𝘃𝗶𝗼

🔺𝗩𝗲𝗹𝗰𝗮𝗱𝗲

Treatments vary based on lymphoma type. For example, if you have a slow-growing lymphoma, your healthcare provider may recommend active surveillance (watchful waiting) before starting treatment. In active surveillance, providers carefully monitor your overall health and signs of lymphoma. Common lymphoma treatments include:

🔺𝗖𝗵𝗲𝗺𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗽𝘆

🔺𝗥𝗮𝗱𝗶𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗽𝘆

🔺𝗧𝗮𝗿𝗴𝗲𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗽𝘆

🔺𝗜𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗽𝘆

🔺𝗖𝗔𝗥 𝗧-𝗰𝗲𝗹𝗹 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗽𝘆

🔺𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗺 𝗰𝗲𝗹𝗹 (𝗯𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗺𝗮𝗿𝗿𝗼𝘄) 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻

🔴Lymphoma Survival Rates: What Are the Chances of Survival and Death?

Overall, survival rate data show 89% of people with Hodgkin lymphoma and 74% of people with non-Hodgkin lymphoma were alive five years after diagnosis.

Survival rates are estimates based on the experiences of groups of people with the same disease. Survival rate estimates can’t predict how long a person may live with lymphoma. If you have questions about lymphoma survival rates, ask your healthcare provider to explain what you can expect.