Lymphoma is a type of blood cancer that affects the immune system. It primarily affects white blood cells beginning with the various lymph glands around the body. Lymphoma is also called cancer of the lymphatic system, or lymphatic cancer.
There are two main types of lymphoma that affect the lymphatic system. Hodgkin’s lymphoma (which affects part of the body’s germ-fighting immune system) and Non-Hodgkin lymphoma (in which malignant cells form in the lymph system).
Oncologist and Consultant Hematologist at the University Hospital of the West Indies, Dr. Dwight Lowe shares more about lymphoma on Sunrise.
Watch the interview here:
Lymphoma is the most prevalent cause of blood cancer and the fifth most common cancer with over 14,000 people being diagnosed each year. The root cause of lymphoma is unknown however, there are some things that can make the risk of developing the disease higher including age, sex, family history, lowered immunity and infections.
Symptoms of lymphoma include lumps (swollen lymph nodes glands). One may also experience painless swelling of the neck, collarbone, armpit, groin, or other parts of the body. Swelling of the lymph nodes can press on vital organs causing pain in your chest, coughing, breathlessness, or pain in your stomach area. Other symptoms include fever, unexplained weight loss and night sweats.
Lymphoma treatments can vary depending on the type of lymphoma you have, its stage and its symptoms. Lymphoma treatments include chemotherapy, radiotherapy and targeted therapies.
