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Lymphoma: Cancer of the lymph nodes
We - the common people who are ignorant of medical
science, do not understand anything when we see these things, we cannot
properly understand what the doctor says when we are in trouble. So knowing a
little will be beneficial in health.
The doctor said - Lymphoma is a special type of blood
cancer, which mainly affects the lymph nodes or lymphatic glands.
Blood has two main components - plasma and blood
cells. One of the various cellular components of blood is the lymphocyte, which
is basically a type of white blood cell. Its main function is to prevent
disease. Cancer called 'lymphoma'
occurs when these lymphocytes grow abnormally due to various reasons.
It is known from the hematologist - lymph nodes,
spleen, tonsil etc. are among the organs where lymphocytes are produced and
grown.
Lymph nodes are located in different parts of our
body. Under normal conditions they are so small that they cannot be perceived.
But due to some reason it grows in size and swells and is palpable when
touched.
Although lymph nodes
are spread in different parts of the body, its presence is more noticeable on
both sides of the neck, armpit, groin, both sides of the lungs and inside the
stomach.
Being aware of these apparent hidden problems is
essential - to lead a healthy life.
How to tell if there is a problem with lymphoma - If
the lymph nodes or other lymphatic organs are abnormally enlarged in an area of
the body, the swollen lymph nodes are soft and painless like rubber. It is
accompanied by prolonged fever, weight loss and profuse sweating during
arthritis.
Lymphoma fever is usually irregular, meaning it comes
and goes at any time. The degree of fever is sometimes high, sometimes low.
Most of these symptoms are almost identical to tuberculosis, so we can mistake
it for tuberculosis, so special tests must be done to confirm it.
Regarding confirmation, the doctor said - biopsy is
the main test for confirmation of lymphoma by cutting tissue from the affected
lymph nodes. X-ray, ultrasonogram, CT scan, bone marrow tests are used to understand
the stage of the disease. Apart from this, some other tests are done along with
routine blood tests to understand the overall condition.
Treatment -- As with other blood cancers, the main
treatment for lymphoma is chemotherapy. Radiotherapy is also given depending on
the stage of the disease and the size and location of the affected lymph nodes.
If chemotherapy and radiotherapy do not work, a bone
marrow transplant is required. 70 to 90 percent of lymphomas can be completely
cured with treatment if the disease is diagnosed at the right time.
Lymphoma is treated in several public and private
hospitals in Bangladesh, including National Cancer Research Institute,
Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University, Dhaka Medical College, Combined
Military Hospital.
# Life is only one - so don't neglect
the various methods of living a healthy life. As the Creator has given disease,
He has also given the knowledge to prevent it to His creatures. We have to take
that opportunity to have time.
