Surgery isn't a primary treatment for most lymphomas because they are systemic cancers affecting the blood and lymph system, not usually localized tumors, making whole-body treatments like chemotherapy and radiation more effective at killing dispersed cancer cells; surgery is mainly used for diagnosis (biopsy) or rarely for symptomatic relief if lymphoma starts in a specific organ (like the spleen, thyroid) and isn't widespread.
Surgery is not a common treatment for non-Hodgkin lymphoma. This is mainly because the cancerous cells are usually not confined to one part of the body, and also because whole-body (systemic) treatments often have high success rates.
Rarely, surgery may be used to treat lymphomas that start in the spleen or in certain organs outside the lymph system, such as the thyroid or stomach, and that have not spread beyond these organs. But for treating lymphoma that's completely confined to one area, radiation therapy is usually preferred over surgery.
“Liquid cancers,” such as leukemia, lymphoma, and multiple myeloma, are considered inoperable by nature, because they involve cells or tissues that are dispersed throughout the body.
For patients with Stage IV cancer which has spread to other organs, it may not be possible to remove all of the cancer with surgery.
Metastasis is a common cause of morbidity and mortality in cancer patients. Both experimental and clinical evidence lend support to the idea that surgery which is intended to be a curative option to remove and reduce tumor mass, can paradoxically also augment development of metastases.
This is done to shrink the tumor, making it easier to remove. And in some patients, this pre-surgery (neoadjuvant) chemotherapy eliminates the cancer in nearby lymph nodes, which is typically associated with a better outlook.
Burkitt lymphoma is considered the most aggressive form of lymphoma and is one of the fastest growing of all cancers. But it is very rare, accounting for about 2 percent of all lymphoma diagnoses.
Non-Hodgkin lymphoma is usually treated with chemotherapy or radiotherapy, although some people may not need treatment straight away. In a few cases, if the initial cancer is very small and can be removed during a biopsy, no further treatment may be needed.
NHL most often affects adults, but children can get it too. See Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma in Children. NHL usually starts in lymph nodes or other lymph tissue, but it can sometimes affect the skin.
Avoid foods and carbonated drinks that can cause gas, as this will increase discomfort and cause a feeling of fullness. Patients should talk with their doctor before taking nutritional or herbal supplements, because some of these supplements could interfere with lymphoma treatments.
Israeli researchers at a blood cancer conference in the US reported a lymphoma treatment that can achieve 100% survival rates. The results, compiled across 15 medical centers, revealed that patients treated with a combined chemo-biologic regimen achieved outcomes that exceeded previous standards of care.
Causes of lymphoma
In most cases, there is no known cause for lymphoma. However, for a few types of lymphoma, scientists have identified a cause: Most cases of gastric MALT lymphoma are caused by a common bacterial infection called Helicobacter pylori. Usually, Helicobacter pylori causes stomach ulcers and indigestion.
Chemo is hard on other cells in your body that divide quickly. This includes blood cells and cells in the lining of your mouth and stomach. It also includes your hair, skin, and nail cells. Damage to these healthy cells causes side effects, such as low blood counts, mouth sores, upset stomach (nausea), and hair loss.
Survival data regarding Hodgkin vs. non-Hodgkin lymphoma depends on each patient's specific situation, but in general, the five-year relative survival rate for Hodgkin lymphoma is higher than that of non-Hodgkin lymphoma. One reason may be that non-Hodgkin lymphoma is often diagnosed when the cancer is more advanced.
Lymphoma often becomes terminal at stage 4. During this stage, it has spread to further areas of the body, such as the liver, lungs, or bone marrow. This is considered the most advanced form of lymphoma and can lead to complications that can turn fatal, including serious infections and liver damage.
Treatment options can include chemotherapy, radiation therapy and sometimes bone marrow transplantation. Unlike many other types of cancer, Hodgkin lymphoma does not produce solid tumors that can be surgically removed.
Natural killer/T-cell lymphoma (NKTL) is a sub-type of Epstein–Barr virus (EBV)-related non-Hodgkin lymphomas common in Asia and Latin America but rare elsewhere. Its pathogenesis is complex and incompletely understood. Lymphoma cells are transformed from NK- or T-cells, sometimes both.
Both CLL and SLL are usually slow-growing (indolent) lymphomas, although CLL, which is much more common, tends to grow more slowly. Treatment is the same for CLL and SLL. These lymphomas are usually not curable, but because they tend to grow slowly, they often don't need to be treated when they are first found.
“Aggressive lymphomas grow and spread quickly, and can cause significant damage to tissue and organs. Because they are fast-growing, they are most commonly associated with what's known as 'B' symptoms. Indolent lymphomas, on the other hand, are slow-growing.
Lung and bronchus, colorectal, pancreatic, and breast cancers are responsible for nearly 50% of all deaths.
We consider Hodgkin's lymphoma one of the more curable forms of cancer. Non-Hodgkin lymphoma will spread to other parts of the body, such as the liver, brain, or bone marrow. This lymphoma tends to spread before diagnosis. This can hurt our ability to treat it.
Lymphadenectomy, or lymph node dissection, is an important step in staging and treating cancer. It gives your healthcare team crucial information about your condition and may stop cancer from spreading in the process.
Because of chemotherapy's considerable side effects, it may not be safe for individuals who have underlying conditions. If your oncologist worries that your body is not strong enough to withstand chemotherapy, they will likely recommend other treatment options.
Standard options include: