Related articles: Lymphoma
Definition
Lymphomas are a heterogeneous group of malignant tumors that originate from cells of the reticuloendothelial and lymphatic systems. The main forms are Hodgkin's lymphoma and non-Hodgkin's lymphomas .
The causes of lymphomas are unknown, although there is evidence to suggest genetic and environmental associations (eg exposures to certain chemicals, therapies with anti-rejection drugs after an organ transplant, Epstein-Barr virus and HIV infections). Immunodeficiency and some autoimmune diseases (such as rheumatoid arthritis) are risk factors.
Most common symptoms and signs *
- Anemia
- Anorexia
- Ascites
- Asthenia
- oxeye
- Cachexia
- Kidney stones
- Dyspnoea
- Chest pain
- Edema
- Pleural empyema
- Eosinophilia
- Hepatomegaly
- Temperature
- hypercalcemia
- Hyperhidrosis
- hypersplenism
- Hyperuricemia
- Jaundice
- Leukopenia
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Livedo Reticularis
- macrocytosis
- Headache
- Mass or swelling in the groin
- Meningitis
- Nausea
- Multiple pulmonary nodules
- Pancytopenia
- Paraplegia
- Weight loss
- Heaviness in the stomach
- thrombocytopenia
- Priapism
- Proteinuria
- itch
- Leg itch
- Itching in the hands
- Wheezing breath
- Nephrotic syndrome
- splenomegaly
- Night sweats
- thrombocytosis
- Pericardial effusion
- Pleural effusion
Further indications
Signs and symptoms of Hodgkin's lymphoma include painless swollen lymph nodes, sometimes accompanied by fever, profuse night sweats, weight loss, persistent itching all over the body, splenomegaly and hepatomegaly. Cachexia is common as the disease progresses. Local compression from tumor masses often causes jaundice (due to obstruction of the bile duct), edema of the lower limbs, severe dyspnea, wheezing and lung abscesses. Most patients also develop a progressive immunity deficiency that contributes to the onset of infections in later stages of the disease. Death is often a consequence of sepsis.
Asymptomatic peripheral lymphadenopathy is one of the most common signs at the onset of non-Hodgkin's lymphomas . Compared to Hodgkin's lymphoma, there is a greater probability that a disseminated disease is present at the time of diagnosis (due to the lymphocytes transformed into the circulation). Symptoms associated with non-Hodgkin's lymphomas include weight loss, fatigue, fever, night sweats, asthenia and hypercalcaemia. Abdominally, the disease can cause swelling and enlargement of the organs involved (eg spleen or stomach), with nausea and early satiety. If the lymphoma affects the chest, however, you may experience chest pain and difficulty breathing.
The diagnosis of lymphomas can be obtained with lymph node biopsies and bone marrow. A series of laboratory diagnostic tests (blood tests), ultrasound, CT and PET allow defining the spread and aggressiveness of the disease, thus establishing the most appropriate therapeutic protocol.
Hodgkin's lymphoma has a generally more favorable prognosis. Treatment includes chemotherapy associated or not with radiation therapy. Stem cell transplantation is generally reserved as a therapy in case of incomplete remission or relapse.
Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, on the other hand, being a more heterogeneous disease, requires a therapy that is as "targeted" as possible; in general, the therapeutic standard involves the use of chemotherapy in combination with the monoclonal antibody Rituximab (chemo-immunotherapy).
