Lymphoma
deadliest cancer in world
Fever, breathlessness and
lack of energy could be much more than just fatigue, warn health experts. Such
symptoms are synonymous with lymphoma or a type of blood cancer, which is one
of the fastest-growing cancers in the world. However, experts said the cure rate
is high if detected early.
Lymphoma is the
uncontrolled multiplication of lymphocytes (white blood cells) and begins in
the body's immune system. It may develop in the lymph nodes, spleen, bone
marrow, blood or other organs, eventually forming a tumour.
"Painless swelling of
lymph nodes, fever, night sweats, unexplained weight loss and lack of energy
are some symptoms associated with the disease," Vaneet Gupta, senior
consultant, clinical oncology, PSRI Hospital, told IANS.
"Lymphoma is the most
common blood cancer, and accounts for three to four percent of all
cancers," Gupta added.
"Intestinal lymphoma
is particularly common in India," Gupta said.
Vineet Talwar, senior
consultant oncology, Rajiv Gandhi Cancer Institute and Research Centre, said
that the disease mimics general symptoms and advised a thorough checkup if the
symptoms prevail for a few weeks.
"The mind should
develop a high level of suspicion if the symptoms continue after the patient
has been given a standard treatment and a dose of antibiotics," Talwar
told IANS.
Shishir Seth, senior
consultant, hemato-oncology and bone marrow transplant, Indraprastha Apollo
Hospitals, explained that there are two types of lymphoma - Hodgkin and
non-Hodgkin.
He said it is the fourth
most common cancer, with the risk of developing it being 20 to 22 per 100,000
people.
"Non-Hodgkin lymphoma
may be of indolent, aggressive or very aggressive behavior," Seth said.
He added that sometimes
lymphoma is clinically suspected and treated as tuberculosis because of gland
swelling and fever.
Despite such figures,
health experts stated that depending on the type of cancer, lymphoma has a very
high "cure rate" and if treated on time.
"It has 90-95 percent
success rate. But treatment depends on which lymphoma does the patient suffer
from and what is the stage," S.M. Barodawala, doctor-in-charge,
histopathology, at medical service provider Metropolis Healthcare Limited, told
IANS.
Agreeing with this view,
Talwar said that the cure rate is as high as 95 percent in the first two stages
of the disease.
"In the later two
stages, three and four, the success rate is somewhere between 60 to 70
percent," he added.
According to experts, such
high cure rate is because lymphoma is a "chemo-sensitive" disease.
"Early diagnosis and
proper treatment is the mantra for this high cure rate," Seth said.
The disease is not age-
and gender-specific, but children and those in the advanced age-group are more
vulnerable.
Though the causes of
lymphoma are not clearly known, they are believed to have various genetic links
and are also caused by chemical carcinogens/drugs and viral infections.
"Long-term radiation
could give rise to lymphoma, but it has also been implicated in other types of
cancers, like post-Hiroshima/Nagasaki and the Chernobyl nuclear disaster,"
said Barodawala.
Background
of these disasters:
"In short, it is an
interplay of a multitude of factors like genetic mutation, effect of viral and
chemical carcinogens, radiation hazards and the individuals' immune response
which play an important role," he added.
On the treatment aspect,
experts recommended that lymphoma patients maintain personal hygiene, avoid
exposure to environment and eat fresh food.
"When you initially
start treatment, the meals should be low in potassium as the lymphoma cells, on
bursting, release potassium. Later, they should take healthy food comprising
exceptionally clean fruits and green vegetables," Talwar suggested.
According to Anurag Mehta,
director, lab and blood bank services, Rajiv Gandhi Cancer Institute and
Research Centre: "The Indian medical fraternity has been aware of this
disease. But a large amount of new information regarding development of
lymphomas and new advancements in its treatment has emerged in recent years.
"As this type of
cancer is less common, the general public is not very aware of this type of
cancer," he said, adding that awareness needs to be created so that
medical treatment could be administered on time.
