Cancers that affect the lymphoid system are generally called lymphomas; the cells in the lymph nodes uncontrollably multiply, which results in the growth of a cancer mass. The different types of lymphomas are differentiated depending on the type of cell that multiplies and on how the cancer presents itself in the person. There are basically two types of lymphomas: Hodgkin's disease and Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma. Among the two, Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma is the more common type of lymphoma.
Lymphoma is a very difficult disease if watched from the symptoms perspective. That is to say that besides being quite "ugly", these lymphoma signs can also be attributed to other medical conditions as well. Cat scratch fever has similar symptoms to lymphoma, making this disease even that more difficult to diagnose. There are two types of lymphoma for which symptoms are presented: non- Hodgkin' s lymphoma and Hodgkin' s lymphoma.
Lymphoma is a type of cancer that assaults the lymphocytes. The lymphocytes are defined by medical science as any of the nearly colorless cells found in the blood, lymph, and lymphoid tissues, constituting approximately 25 percent of white blood cells and including B cells, which function in humoral immunity, and T cells, which act in cellular specific immunity. So you should know that lymphocytes are not only most mobile as it is carried in the blood, it is also part of the body's typical protective armor called the immune system.
Causes
The direct leukemia causes are still unknown. In present, medical science isn’t able to establish the specific leukemia causes. However, a strong connection between certain genetic factors and the development of the disease has been revealed. Leukemia occurs on the background of genetic failure that causes the excessive production of incomplete, partially matured blood cells. Also, leukemia has a hereditary character, allowing the transmission of genetic predispositions to disease from one generation to another. Although many factors are known to contribute to the development of leukemia, they alone can’t be considered leukemia causes.
Symptoms
Some of the most popular initial symptoms include extensive damage to the bone marrow that is owed to the upsurge of the white blood cells which precipitates into a privation of platelets, meaning that the patients of leukemia bruise very easy and bleed immoderately. Further the patients' immune system becomes feeble and the continuing deficiency of the red blood cells eventually lead to anemia. Inflated gums and tonsils, severe headaches, a magnified liver and spleen make up the other symptoms.
Diagnosis
Diagnosis of the disease at the right time is a very important factor in its cure. As the various subtypes behave differently, it is important that the medical practitioner is able to recognize the symptoms and diagnose it speedily. It is also advisable for the patient to always take a second opinion as the other practitioner carries out a fresh set of analysis and approaches the symptoms from a different angle.
Treatments
When a person is diagnosed with leukemia, he is most likely referred to a hematologist-oncologist, who is a doctor that specializes in the treatment of leukemia. After examination, the doctor then suggests the possible treatments that can be employed to treat the leukemia, which will depend on the type and severity of the leukemia. The usual treatment of leukemia is divided into two categories: treatments that are aimed at fighting the cancer and treatments that are aimed at relieving the symptoms and the side effects of the disease.
