Home / Diseases & Conditions / Diagnosis And Prognosis Of Lymphoma
Diseases & Conditions

Diagnosis and Prognosis of Lymphoma

The lymphatic system is the body’s defense system against infections. This system includes the spleen, bone marrow, thymus gland, and the lymph nodes. When the white blood cells in the lymphatic system start to reproduce at a faster rate, lymphoma occurs. It is a form of cancer that affects all the organs of the lymphatic system as well as the other parts of the body. Lymphoma causes the lymph nodes to swell.

Diagnosis and Prognosis of Lymphoma
Other symptoms include bone pain, cough, fatigue, enlarged spleen, night sweats, fever, itchy rash, shortness of breath, itching, abdominal pain, and sudden and unexplained weight loss.

The symptoms and their severity depend on the type of lymphoma. There are two main categories of this cancer—Hodgkin’s lymphoma and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. The former is a rare type of cancer while the latter is far more common. Depending on the type of cancer, different treatment plans are recommended by physicians. Early treatment can help in arresting the growth of cancer, and in some cases, treatment leads to a complete cure as well. However, most types of lymphomas have a slow progression.

Due to the slow growth of cancer, diagnosis can be slow as well. Despite the late diagnosis, in most cases, the patient survival rate is steadily rising due to evolved diagnostic tests and methods over the years. Read on to know more about the diagnosis and prognosis of lymphoma.

Diagnosis of lymphoma
A number of tests and procedures are carried out while diagnosing lymphoma, these include:

  • Blood tests – Lymphoma causes the number of white blood cells to increase and older cells do not die at a normal rate. There is an excess of these cells in the lymphatic system. With the help of blood tests, doctors count the number of cells in a blood sample and carry out a diagnosis. However, a blood test can’t be standalone evidence to diagnose lymphoma. It has to be carried out in combination with other tests.
  • Bone marrow biopsy – By inserting a needle into the hipbone, a bone marrow sample is removed. This sample is then tested and analyzed in the lab to check for lymphoma cells. This test is also called bone marrow aspiration and biopsy procedure.
  • Lymph node biopsy – In this diagnostic procedure, a part of or an entire lymph node is removed for testing and analysis in the laboratory. A biopsy is done on the lymph node sample. The sample is subjected to advanced tests to determine the presence of lymphoma cells. This test can also reveal the presence of other types of cells that are causing lymphoma symptoms.
  • Physical exam – During a physical test, a physician will check for swollen lymph nodes in the neck, groin, and underarms. In some cases, swollen nodes can be present in the spleen and the liver. This is often evident with external swelling in the abdominal area.
  • Imaging tests – Imaging tests are used to look for lymphoma signs in other parts of the body, which generally do not show symptoms of lymphoma. These tests can include magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), positron emission tomography (PET), and computed tomography (CT) scans.

Prognosis of lymphoma
Over the years, the survival rate of lymphoma patients has increased. However, prognosis might not be the same for all patients. Prognosis of lymphoma indicates a doctor’s estimate of cancer’s progression, the treatment plan and course, and how the treatment will affect a patient. The prognosis depends on a number of factors like the type of lymphoma, the medical history of the patient, the stage of lymphoma, and the symptoms. The treatment plan recommended for the patient based on these factors.

It has been observed that about 93 percent of patients who are diagnosed with regionally-contained lymphoma may survive for five years. Nearly 65,000 lymphoma cases are diagnosed annually. It is estimated that nearly 20,000 lymphoma patients succumb to the disease. On an average, lymphoma patients can live till the age of 75 years. Women have more chances of surviving this cancer than men.

Post-treatment prognosis of lymphoma
Based on the type of lymphoma, the patient’s general health, and symptoms, treatment can include radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and so on. However, the success of a treatment plan is not always straightforward. This is despite steadily increasing probability of survival among lymphoma patients. Whatever be the type of lymphoma a patient has, they will have to go for regular and frequent checkups. Moreover, a lymphoma patient has to go for regular follow-up tests and treatments to ensure a long remission period. Follow-ups and check-ups are also important to watch out for other potential health disorders and the recurrence of lymphoma.

Disclaimer:
The content provided on our blog site traverses numerous categories, offering readers valuable and practical information. Readers can use the editorial team’s research and data to gain more insights into their topics of interest. However, they are requested not to treat the articles as conclusive. The website team cannot be held responsible for differences in data or inaccuracies found across other platforms. Please also note that the site might also miss out on various schemes and offers available that the readers may find more beneficial than the ones we cover.

Most Recommended Blogs

Identification And Treatment Of Kidney Stones
Health & Wellness

Identification And Treatment Of Kidney Stones

Identification and treatment of kidney stones A kidney stone is formed when there is a gradual buildup of material in the kidney through substances in the urine. It has a plethora of causes and can affect any part of the urinary tract from the kidneys to the bladder. The stones can be as small as grains of sand or as big as pearls.
How Can You Control The Symptoms Of Liver Damage
Health & Wellness

How Can You Control The Symptoms Of Liver Damage

How can you control the symptoms of liver damage? The liver is an integral part of a human body. It is located just under the rib cage on the right side of the abdomen. The liver helps in digestion and removes toxins from the body. It filters out all the blood coming out of the digestive tract before it goes to the rest of the body.
Helicobacter Pylori (H. Pylori) Infection – An Overview
Health & Wellness

Helicobacter Pylori (H. Pylori) Infection – An Overview

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection – An overview H. pylori can be described as a common bacteria found in the human digestive tract. These have the tendency of attacking the lining of the stomach. These bacteria are the main reason for stomach infections. Typically speaking, H. pylori infections do not tend to be harmful, but they are responsible for ulcers in the small intestine and the stomach.
Everything You Need To Know About The Flu
Health & Wellness

Everything You Need To Know About The Flu

Everything you need to know about the flu Flu is a common viral infection that can affect anyone. In some cases, the flu can be deadly. It is often mistaken as other health conditions because of the symptoms it exhibits. Flu is contagious. Every person is affected by the flu at least once in their life.
Head And Neck Cancer Treatment Options In The Country
Health & Wellness

Head And Neck Cancer Treatment Options In The Country

Head and neck cancer treatment options in the country Most cancers of the head and neck are curable if they are caught at an early stage. Apart from eliminating cancer, which is the primary goal, preserving the functionalities of the nearby organs, nerves, tissues, and glands are also very important.
An Overview Of Frequent Urination- Causes, Symptoms, And Treatment
Health & Wellness

An Overview Of Frequent Urination- Causes, Symptoms, And Treatment

An overview of frequent urination- Causes, symptoms, and treatment Frequent urination, as the name suggests, is the recurrent urge to pass urine more often than usual. An individual’s everyday normal routine and sleep cycle can be disrupted by this condition. Frequent urination may be a sign of an underlying medical condition.
Things To Consider Before Going For Head And Neck Cancer Treatment
Health & Wellness

Things To Consider Before Going For Head And Neck Cancer Treatment

Things to consider before going for head and neck cancer treatment The head and neck are the most vital and fragile parts of the body. If diagnosed with head and neck cancer, there are a lot of things that should be kept in mind before starting the treatment. One should know how long the treatment would take and what are the chances of them defeating it.
Everything You Need To Know About Frequent Urination
Health & Wellness

Everything You Need To Know About Frequent Urination

Everything you need to know about frequent urination Frequent urination is called polyuria in medical terminology. Also called frequency, it is a condition many people live with and do not seek medical assistance as they consider it to be a normal thing. Frequent urination means a desire to pass urine more often than what is normal for them.
Best Detox Drinks That Can Help You Lose Weight
Health & Wellness

Best Detox Drinks That Can Help You Lose Weight

Best Detox drinks that can help you lose weight If you have tried a lot of methods to lose weight and still are unable to shed those extra pounds then detox water and other healthy drinks might be the answer for you. Drinking detox water helps the body in many ways.
Low Calorie Health Drink Ideas For Winners
Health & Wellness

Low Calorie Health Drink Ideas For Winners

Low-calorie health drink ideas for winners Low-calorie health drinks are becoming more and more popular with every passing day, as people start to realize the number of health benefits these drinks bring to the table. Healthy drinks not only have low-calorie content but also contain varying amounts of nutrients and antioxidants.
Signs And Symptoms Of Internal Hemorrhoids
Health & Wellness

Signs And Symptoms Of Internal Hemorrhoids

Signs and symptoms of internal hemorrhoids Hemorrhoids, also known as piles are of two types: internal & external. They are essentially swollen veins found in your anus or lower rectum and consist of blood vessels, elastic fibers, and multiple tissues. It is a common medical condition and found among most US citizens before they touch the age of 50.
Treatment Options For The Prolapsed Bladder Condition
Health & Wellness

Treatment Options For The Prolapsed Bladder Condition

Treatment options for the prolapsed bladder condition The bladder is a muscular sac located just behind the pubic bone, which stores urine. The front wall of the vagina supports the bladder in women, and it weakens or loosens with age. If it continues to deteriorate, it can lead to a prolapsed bladder or fallen bladder condition.
Everything You Should Know About Treating Gas Problems
Health & Wellness

Everything You Should Know About Treating Gas Problems

Everything you should know about treating gas problems Gas can be quite embarrassing to deal with, to say the least. However, the problem of a gassy stomach extends far beyond just embarrassment and can actually be a very painful experience indeed. Also known as flatulence, a gassy stomach is characterized by the excessive buildup of gas inside the digestive tract.
An Overview Of Fibromyalgia Pain
Health & Wellness

An Overview Of Fibromyalgia Pain

An overview of fibromyalgia pain Fibromyalgia is a condition that causes pain, stiffness, and tenderness in muscles, tendons, and joints throughout the body. People experience fibromyalgia pain differently, and its triggers vary from one person to another. The condition can affect anyone, but it is seen more often in women.
Remedies And Treatment For The Helicobacter Pylori (H. Pylori) Infection
Health & Wellness

Remedies And Treatment For The Helicobacter Pylori (H. Pylori) Infection

How to manage and treat the symptoms of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection? Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) are bacteria that enter our body and live in the digestive tract. They are usually harmless and infect the stomachs of roughly 60 percent of the world’s population. The spiral-shaped bacteria usually don’t cause any symptoms but have a tendency to attack the stomach lining, leading to diseases, including peptic ulcers and an inflammatory stomach condition known as gastritis.
Factors Triggering Fibromyalgia Pain And Ways To Alleviate It
Health & Wellness

Factors Triggering Fibromyalgia Pain And Ways To Alleviate It

Factors triggering fibromyalgia pain and ways to alleviate it Generally, when a person is injured or hurt, the signal travels all the way from the injury point to the brain and the brain comprehends this as pain. The brain signals the body to respond accordingly. Slowly, the pain lessens with time and treatment and finally goes away.