mcl lymphoma | Lymphomas

Lymphomas

The lymphatic system is part of the body's immune system, which plays a key role in the prevention of infections as well as other diseases (including cancer). It is a circulatory system that contains a fluid called lymph. The object of this system is the transport of substances such as proteins, nutrients, waste products and also cells (lymphocytes) through the body.

Lymphoma in the broadest sense means enlarging one or more lymph nodes. This magnification can indicate infections or malignant processes in the lymph nodes. These processes mainly concern lymphocytes.

If the body's own regulating mechanisms of the lymphocytes get out of control, i.e. they grow and multiply uncontrollably or do not die at the time or in the form as in the healthy, this also leads to a swelling of the lymph nodes, for example in Neck area or under the armpits. Such collections of pathologically modified lymphocytes are then referred to as lymphomas in the narrower sense.

Lymphomas are divided into two large groups:

Hodgkin lymphoma
These were discovered and described 1832 by the English physician Thomas Hodgkin. They are characterized by the appearance of characteristic giant cells, the so-called Reed-Sternberg cells.

Non Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL)
All other lymphomas in which the above-mentioned, characteristic cells do not occur are grouped together as a group of non-Hodgkin's lymphomas.

B-cell and T-cell lymphomas
The type of lymphocytes concerned can also be divided into B-cell and T-cell lymphomas. B-and T-lymphocytes differ in the nature of their tasks, whereby the ones mainly produce antibodies, while the others are mainly regulatory in the immune system or directly target cells (killer T cells).

The majority of Lymphomerkrankungen affects B-cells and are non-Hodgkin's lymphomas.Genesis & Risk
The reasons for developing NHL are not known. However, there are certain risks, such as existing HIV or certain other viral infections that favor the appearance of NHL.

The NHL can occur in people of all ages, but is more common in older people (average age of diagnosis: 65 years). Although the disease can occur in both sexes, the likelihood of men is higher.

Symptoms
Often, NHL does not have any specific symptoms at the outset and is discovered by chance during a medical examination.

The most common symptom of NHL is a painless, permanent or steadily growing swelling of the lymph nodes, usually in the throat, armpit or groin area (not every swelling of the lymph nodes, however, must be automatically lymphoma, in most cases it is A general infection). Therefore, special attention must be paid to the concomitant appearance of other, characteristic symptoms. This includes especially night sweat, regular fever and unexplained weight loss (more than 10% in 6 months), extreme fatigue, breathlessness or cough as well as stubborn itching all over the body.

On closer examination, changes in the blood image such as anemia (reduction of the number of red blood cells), reduction in the number of white cells with increased susceptibility or a decreased number of platelets with an accumulation of Bruising or increased bleeding may indicate that the lymphoma has been the center of blood formation, the bone marrow.

Diagnosis
A first diagnosis is usually carried out on the basis of a biopsy (tissue sample) in which samples are taken from the enlarged lymph node.

Depending on where the lymphoma is located, it may also be necessary to take a sample from a lymph node from other tissues in addition to the sample, in many cases e.g. from the bone marrow (bone marrow biopsy).

In the course of the diagnosis, various blood tests are also carried out to clarify the general state of health and other indications of the presence of lymphoma.

Therapy
The aim of the therapy is to cure the disease as far as possible or at least to achieve as long a remission of the disease as possible, as well as the most extensive symptom and complaint freedom.

The chosen treatment is specifically tailored to individual needs and depends on a number of factors, such as the appearance of symptoms, the type and stage of the disease and the general condition of the patient.

If a relapse occurs, further treatment is necessary (e.g. chemotherapy, stem cell transplantation). If neither a cure nor a repression of the disease is possible, the treatment is aimed at alleviating the symptoms.

' Watch and wait '

The strategy of observing waiting is particularly important in patients where a complete cure is unfortunately not possible. As long as these patients are well off, no rapidly increasing swelling of the lymph nodes occur and there is no indication that lymphoma is affecting the function of an important organ, the course can only be observed and controlled for the time being.

Aftercare
The doctor determines the exact time of the checks after the therapy has been completed due to the individual illness.