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Lymphoma: Symptoms and treatment

by Brenda J. Shaffer

LYMPHOMA - SYMPTOMS AND TREATMENT

What exactly is lymphoma? It's a "type of solid neoplasm originating in lymphocytes." Lymphomas are categorized as Hodgkin's and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

Some symptoms of lymphoma include:
Lumps in the neck, armpits or groin;
Weight loss;
Fever;
Night sweats;
Feelings of weakness;
Breathlessness.



With Hodgkin's lymphoma, the most common symptom is enlarged lymph nodes. This type can be treated with chemotherapy and radiation.

Non-Hodgkin's Lymphomas are lymphomas that aren't Hodgkin's. Treatments are chemotherapy and radiation.

Symptoms of NHL include:
Swollen lymph nodes in the neck, armpits, and groin;
Weight loss;
Fever;
Night sweats;
Breathlessness;



Central Nervous System Lymphoma (PCNSL) is a "Non-Hodgkin neoplasm." Treatments include radiation and chemotherapy. This cancer involves the brain, spinal cord, one or both eyes, and covering of the brain and optic nerves.

Symptoms of PCNSL vary. Brain involvement symptoms include headaches, personality changes, memory problems, drowsiness, weakness/numbness of a limb, and difficulty walking. Eye involvement symptoms include seeing floating spots that can progress to loss of vision. Treatment includes chemotherapy and radiation.

Burkitt's Lymphoma is a cancer of the lymphatic system. It's most common in children, and the treatment is chemotherapy and radiation.

Leukemia is a cancer of the blood cells and starts in the bone marrow. Symptoms include:
Fever;
Night sweats;
Headaches;
Weight loss.

Resources for lymphomas include:

American Cancer Society
1-800-ACS-2345; TTY 1-866-228-4327
www.cancer.org





Andrew Lister, L. E. (2002). Central Nervous System Lymphoma. Retrieved June 5, 2008, from Hematology 2002: http://asheducationbook.hematologylibrary.org/cgi/co ntent/full/2002/1/283
Burkitt's lymphoma. (2008, May 18). Retrieved June 5, 2008, from Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burkitt's_lymphoma
CNS Lymphoma. (2008, May 16). Retrieved June 5, 2008, from Lymphomation.org: http://www.lymphomation.org/type-cns.htm
Conventional Cancer Treatments. (2008, May 15). Retrieved June 5, 2008, from Conventional Cancer Treatments Available at Cancer Treatment Centers of America: http://www.cancercenter.com/conventional-cancer-trea tment.cfm
Indranil Mallick, M. (2007, January 20). Burkitt Lymphoma. Retrieved June 5, 2008, from Lymphoma: http://lymphoma.about.com/od/nonhodgkinlymphoma/p/bu rkitts.htm
Indranil Mallick, M. (2006, October 22). Treatment Options for Hodgkin Lymphoma . Retrieved June 5, 2008, from Lymphoma: http://lymphoma.about.com/od/treatment/p/hodgkintrea t.htm
Indranil Mallick, M. (2007, June 1). Warning Signs of Lymphoma. Retrieved June 5, 2008, from Top 8 Warning Signs of Lymphoma: http://lymphoma.about.com/od/symptoms/tp/warningsign s.htm
Justine R. Smith, M. P. (2003, January). Primary Central Nervous System Lymphoma. Retrieved June 5, 2008, from American Uveitis Society: http://www.uveitissociety.org/pages/diseases/pcnsl.p df
Lymphoma - From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. (2008, May 31). Retrieved June 5, 2008, from Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lymphoma
Non-hodgkin's Lymphoma Causes & Risk Factors. (2007). Retrieved June 5, 2008, from Lymphoma Causes & Risk Factors: http://lymphoma-faq.org/symptoms.html
Rebecca J. Frey, P. (2001). Burkitt's lymphoma . Retrieved June 5, 2008, from Burkitt's lymphoma : http://www.answers.com/topic/burkitt-s-lymphoma?cat= health

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