Lymphoma Cancer Example Essay Assignment paper
Lymphoma Cancer Example Essay Assignment paper
Lymphoma characteristically results from uncontrolled multiplication and cell growth of the white blood cells. The infection of lymph nodes, whose sole purpose is to filter white blood cells, is caused by the collection of the excess microbial organisms that accumulate in the lymph nodes and the subsequent blockage of the lymphatic system. Lymphoma comes in two distinctive types: Hodgkin’s and Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma (NHL). The latter is characterized by the B-cell and T- cell (Bardia & Seifter, 2011). These two sub-types of lymphoma are further classified according to the rate of growth of cancerous cells.
When the cancerous cells grow quickly, it represents aggressive lymphoma. In cases where the growth rate of the cancerous tissues is rather slow, one should speak of indolent lymphoma (National Cancer Institute, 2012). While Hodgkin’s Lymphoma exhibits similar characteristics to those found in Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, there may be found a significant difference between them. Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma is observed where HL patients have Reed-Sternberg (R-S) cells, which are abnormal cells. Additionally, HL has a tendency of spreading in systematic and consistent way in contrast to NHL which spreads in an unpredictable manner (Leukemia and Lymphoma society, 2012).Lymphoma Cancer Example Paper
Lymphoma Cancer Example Essay Assignment paper
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Lymphoma develops in several stages. At stage one, the cancer cells are localized to a definite lymph node or to a section of the body. Meanwhile, at stage two, the cancerous cells are present in more than one lymph node or sections of the body which are either below or above the patient’s diaphragm. At stage three, the cancerous cells are present below and above the diaphragm. At this stage, lymphoma cancer is significantly advanced in the patient’s body. Consequently, at stage four, lymphoma cancer gets significantly widespread and infects body organs such as the liver, skin, lungs, bone, or bone marrow (Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, n.d.).
Causes
Lymphoma cancer results from uncontrollable growth and increase of the cells which remain alive. These cells deviate from the normal behavior of cells where they grow, divide and die respectively (Skeel & Khleif, 2011). While the cause of lymphoma cancer is not clearly understood, various risk factors have been identified which have a high potential of contributing to the cause of lymphoma cancer. For instance, lymphoma cancer has been observed to result from instances of inherited genetic predisposition.
This is prevalent in cases where an individual is born with faulty genes or defined genetic mutations which increase the possibility of lymphoma cancer occurrence. Meanwhile, carcinogens such as herbicides, pesticides and toxic solvents have a high affinity to the occurrence of cancer (American Cancer Society, 2012). These substances are in most cases highly toxic and have the effect of damaging deoxyribonucleic acids (DNA) leading to high vulnerability of cancerous cells forming in the body. Consequently, the human physiology gradually weakens as an individual grows older and mutations in the cell structures may occur (Skeel & Khleif, 2011). As a result, the body becomes vulnerable to various diseases and infections which have a high affinity of causing lymphoma cancer. Additionally, diseases which require the administration of therapies intended to suppress the immune system, as well as autoimmune and immunodeficiency diseases have a higher probability of resulting in lymphoma cancer.Lymphoma Cancer Example Paper
Symptoms
Since lymphoma affects the lymph nodes, they have a tendency to swell once the cancer begins to develop. Swelling of the lymph nodes in this case serves the evidence in given areas of the body where lymph nodes are located such as the groin, neck, or armpit (What is Lymphoma?, n.d.). These swellings will be easily noticed since they are close to the surface. As for those swellings that locate in areas which are not easily visible such as those in the chest and abdomen, they are detectable after an X-ray or scan has been done. The X-ray or scan test allows identifying various degrees of swelling depending on the stage of the disease and on the type of lymphoma cancer (Lymphoma and its symptoms, 2012). As a result of lymph nodes swelling, the lungs and air ducts get under pressure, which leads to breathlessness and coughing symptoms.
Meanwhile, where lymphoma prevails in the abdominal region, in particular in the stomach, it causes pain and bleeding as a result of the stomach lining inflammation. The latter can contribute to constipation and diarrhea with accompanied sense of being full even after eating negligible quantities of food. This is caused by the pressure exerted by the enlarged liver or spleen resulting in tremendous discomfort (Crosta, 2009). The pressure exerted by the swelling lymph nodes can result in immense pain because of pressure exerted on the tissue surrounding the infected lymph nodes; this symptom is characterized by back and abdominal pain. Where lymphoma manifests itself in the nervous system or the brain, it results in seizures, impaired vision, headaches, dizziness, or weak limbs (Batchelor & DeAngelis, 2012). Meanwhile, where it is found in the skin, it can lead to significant skin problems such as itching along with instances of fever and night sweats (Cerroni, Gatter, & Lelmut, 2009). Individuals with lymphoma cancer lose weight gradually and are fatigued most of the time.
Treatment
The treatment of lymphoma cancer depends on the extent to which the cancerous cells are spread in the body (Osterman, 2011). Therefore, before treatment starts, various factors must be considered such as health status, the stage of the disease , age, any previous treatments for lymphoma cancer or any other cancer among others (Lymphoma Research Foundation, 2010). While cancer cells cannot be eliminated entirely from the body, treatment aspires to reduce the cancerous cells to dormancy and to the condition of being undetectable. The objective of lymphoma cancer treatment is to achieve permanent remission or at least the one that will last for a long period (Hodgkin’s lymphoma, 2012).Lymphoma Cancer Example Paper
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