Lymphoma (lymph node magnification)
Lymphoma is a collective term for swelling of the lymph nodes and lymphatic organs (e.g. spleen and almonds). Whether benign or malignant – i.e. whether it is a cancer or not – does not really matter when choosing a term.
When doctors talk about lymphoma, they often mean only the so-called malignant (malignant) lymphomas.
+ + More on the topic: malignant lymphoma + +
Again, this is a collective term for all cancers that come from the cells of the lymphatic system. Colloquially, malignant lymphomas are referred to as lymph gland cancer or lymph node cancer, but this is not entirely true because malignant lymphomas can also affect other organs, such as the spleen and the lymphatic vessel.
What is the lymphatic system made of?
The lymphatic system is divided into the lymphatic organs and the lymph vessel.
In addition to the 500 – 600 lymph nodes located in the human body, the lymphatic organs include the bone marrow, the spleen, the almonds, the worm Blindarms, the Peyer plaque located in the wall of the small intestine and the above the heart Located thymus gland.
The lymphatic vessel is penetrated – closely adjacent to the blood vessels – the body and transports the lymph, a clear tissue fluid that transfers from the fine blood capillaries into the tissues and from there further into the lymph vessels.
The cells of the lymphatic system are the lymphocytes. They belong to the white blood cells (leukocytes) and are crucial for the function of the immune system. Lymphocytes are instrumental in recognizing and eliminating both body-external structures – that is, pathogens that are primarily invaded by the organism – as well as diseased body cells.
The B and T lymphocytes distinguish two large groups of lymphocytes, which in turn consist of several cell types. They all originate in the bone marrow from common precursor cells (stem cells) and then ripen through intermediate steps into functional defensive cells.
How do lymphomas originate?
Benign lymphomas
Benign swelling and enlargement of lymph nodes are generally associated with infections and are an expression of the resistance and inflammatory reaction caused by the penetrating pathogens. One example that most people are aware of is infections in the throat, which are accompanied by swelling of the lymph nodes in the surrounding area, such as behind the ears. The range of possible causes ranges from harmless snuff to HIV infection. If the inflammation of the immune system has been successfully combated and deforms, the swelling of the lymph nodes is also restored.
Malignant lymphoma ("lymph gland cancer")
Malignant lymphoma develops when cells of the lymphatic system degenerate and multiply uncontrollably. It can be divided into two groups: Hodgkin's lymphoma and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Many different forms of disease can be assigned to these groups.
The majority of malignant lymphomas belong to non-Hodgkin's lymphomas.
+ + More on the topic: Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma + +
Since there are many different sub-forms of malignant lymphomas, the World Health Organization (WHO) has developed the worldwide "Who classification of malignant lymphoma", which is a regular reference to the The latest scientific status. Criteria are the appearance of the degenerate cells under the microscope, their maturation stage and the molecular biological properties, the type of cell from which they emerge, and the clinical appearance.
What symptoms can occur with lymphoma?
In benign lymphomas, the symptoms of the triggering disease, i.e. usually an infection, are the focus. The enlargement of the lymph nodes itself usually causes only minor ailments such as mild pain – especially in contact – or a feeling of pressure.
Swelling of the lymph nodes that do not reconstitute after a relatively short period of time is a warning signal for malignant lymphoma. This is especially true when the enlarged lymph nodes are painless and feel hard. For this reason, a doctor should be consulted for swelling of the lymph nodes that persist for more than two weeks.
The diagnosis of malignant lymphoma can only be made by removing the enlarged lymph node. If the suspicion is confirmed, it must be clarified at what stage the disease is located.
How is the diagnosis made?
The decisive and indispensable diagnostic measure in the event of suspicion of malignant lymphoma is the removal of an enlarged lymph node (biopsy). This is then investigated in the laboratory. The investigations of the tissues as well as the molecular biological, genetic and immunological properties of the cells make it possible, on the one, to ascertain without doubt whether malignant lymphoma is present. They also provide information about the type of lymphoma.
If the suspicion is confirmed by this lymph node biopsy, then a so-called staging must be carried out. It clarifies the stage of the disease. Decisive criteria are how many groups of lymph nodes have been attacked and whether the lymphoma has already spread to organs outside the lymph nodes, for example to the bone marrow, the liver or the lungs.
There are a number of possible methods of investigation for staging. These include x-rays, ultrasound examinations, bone marrow biopsy, blood laboratory analysis, modern imaging techniques such as magnetic resonance tomography (MRI) or positron emission tomography (PET) and Bone scintigraphy. The examination required must be decided individually from patient to patient.
How are lymphomas treated?
In benign lymphomas, the therapy is limited to the treatment of the cause of the trigger – if that is necessary at all. The swelling of the lymph nodes is often caused by "harmless" diseases such as strep throat, which fade away by itself.
Malignant lymphomas should always be treated in specialised centers, as the therapy is individually adapted. In principle, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, stem cell transplantation, immune therapy, radio immunotherapy or targeted therapies are used.
Authors: Ulrich Kraft, physician and medical journalist
Medical review: Prim. Univ. Prof. Dr. Heinz Peter Ludwig
Editorial editing: Mag. FH Silvia Hecher, MSC
0 komentar:
Posting Komentar