$Unique_ID{BRK00999}
$Pretitle{Blood and Blood Forming Organs}
$Title{What is Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma?}
$Subject{lymphoma non-Hodgkins diagnosis}
$Volume{D-7}
$Log{}

Copyright (c) 1991   Tribune Media Services, Inc.


What is Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma?


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QUESTION:  I read your columns regularly, and now desire some information for
myself.  I have Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma.  Maybe someday you can discuss this
disease in your column.  What is it, medications and cures?

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ANSWER:  Well let's make "someday". . . today.  Non-Hodgkins Lymphomas (NHL)
are a group of disease that affect the lymphoid cells causes growths that
spread throughout the body.  While Hodgkin's Disease arises in class of cells
that arise from the monocyte-histocyte series and is diagnosed by the presence
of large cells with manu nuclei (Reed-Sternberg cells) NHL springs from T
cells (thymus derived) or B cells (bone marrow derived). NDL with from 7000 to
8000 new cases diagnosed each year in the United States is much more common
than Hodgkin's, which accounts for from 5000 to 6000 new cases each year.  It
strikes all age groups and is thought to be caused by viral infection.
Another risk factor that is present in many is an impaired immunity system,
either inherited or acquired as in AIDS.  Most of the lymphomas seen in AIDS
patients are of the B cell type.  While symptoms may vary from patient to
patient, enlarged lymph glands in the neck or groin are common.  Weight loss,
fever, night sweats and weakness indicates that the disease has spread
throughout the body.  A positive diagnosis depends upon obtaining a tissue
specimen (biopsy) and examining the cells under the microscope.  This also
allows the pathologist to classify the state of progression of the disease and
its specific cell type, which are important considerations in planning the
therapy and treatment.  Lymphomas may also be classified according to their
cell types by using antibodies that can recognize and tell T cells from B
cells.  Various types of X-rays, including CT scans are used to establish the
extent of the disease and rarely exploratory surgery (laparotomy) is needed to
determine the spread of the tumors to spleen and abdominal lymph nodes.  This
process is known as Classification and Staging.  Once the nature of the
disease has been determined, the treatment can consist of one of more drugs
(chemotherapy) with or without the use of radiation therapy.  Modern cancer
therapy has achieved it greatest results in the fields of leukemias and
lymphomas, and there is a wide range of medications available that have been
shown to be effective in these conditions.  Some of these are
cyclophosphamide, vincristine, prednisone, adriamycin and others used in
combinations with strange names like CHOP and MOPP.  Complete remission may be
seen in from 60 to 80 percent of patients, cures can run to 50 percent
depending upon the state of the disease at initial treatment.  Because of the
nature of the disease, these figures may only be considered as
generalizations, and your case may differ.  There is even more hope on the
horizon with a wide range of new treatments already being investigated, or to
begin soon.  Being considered are monoclonal antibodies, lymphokines,
interferons and growth factors.  With improved techniques developing in bone
marrow preservation, intensive treatment programs that replace bone marrow
after high dose chemotherapy is under investigation for selected patients who
do not respond to standard treatment programs.  The marrow can be obtained
from the patient before treatment or from a matched donor such as a brother or
sister.  With this much already accomplished, and all the new prospects on the
horizons, it is not unreasonable to provide you with a positive report rather
than a gloomy outlook.
ÿ
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The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace 
the counsel and advice of your personal physician.  Promptly consulting your 
doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical 
problem.
