Lymphoma

What is lymphoma?

Lymphoma is a type of blood cancer that affects the lymphatic system, which plays an important role in immune function. Your body’s lymphatic system includes the lymph glands, thymus gland, spleen, and bone marrow. Lymphoma can affect any and all of these areas as well as other organs in your body.

There are several types of lymphomas. Two primary subtypes are Hodgkin’s lymphoma, formerly called Hodgkin’s disease, and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma is the most common type.

What are the signs and symptoms of lymphoma?

Most of the time, the first symptoms of lymphoma involve painless swelling in the lymph nodes of the neck, groin, armpits, or abdomen.

Other signs and symptoms of lymphoma include:

• Unexplained weight loss
• Loss of appetite
• Fever
• Night sweats
• Shortness of breath
• Feeling bloated
• Itching
• Headaches
• Bone pain

You may also experience persistent fatigue as a result of anemia, a condition that results from not having enough red blood cells or having red blood cells that don’t function properly.

How is lymphoma diagnosed?

First, Dr. Sankhala and his team carefully review your medical history and perform a physical exam. They check for an enlarged liver, spleen, or lymph nodes.

They may also order blood tests, a biopsy, and imaging tests to determine if lymphoma is present and diagnose the specific type you have.

What lymphoma treatments are available?

Lymphoma treatment focuses on destroying as many cancer cells as possible and bringing the disease into remission. 

Dr. Sankhala and his team develop an individualized treatment plan based on the type and stage of lymphoma, as well as your overall health and personal preferences. 

Depending on your needs, treatment may include:

• Active surveillance to monitor your condition
• Chemotherapy
• Radiation therapy
• Bone marrow transplant
• Immunotherapy

As an expert in oncology drug development, Dr. Sankhala may use novel, next-generation treatments involved in clinical trial research. If your condition and your specific subtype of lymphoma make you a good candidate, he may recommend participating in a clinical trial for a new drug treatment.

For the most advanced care in lymphoma treatment, call Kamlesh Kumar Sankhala, MD, at NextGen Oncology or book an appointment online today.