What organs affect lymphoma?

Lymphoma is a cancer of the lymphatic system, which is part of the body's germ-fighting network. The lymphatic system includes the lymph nodes (lymph glands), spleen, thymus gland and bone marrow. Lymphoma can affect all those areas as well as other organs throughout the body.

Which organ is commonly enlarged in patients with lymphoma?

Often, people with follicular lymphoma complain that their lymph nodes have been swollen for a long time; the size may increase and decrease several times before they seek medical attention.

What triggers lymphoma cancer?

In most cases, there is no known cause for lymphoma. However, for a few types of lymphoma, scientists have identified a cause: Most cases of gastric MALT lymphoma are caused by a common bacterial infection called Helicobacter pylori. Usually, Helicobacter pylori causes stomach ulcers and indigestion.

What organs does non Hodgkin's lymphoma affect?

Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma generally involves the presence of cancerous lymphocytes in your lymph nodes. But the disease can also spread to other parts of your lymphatic system. These include the lymphatic vessels, tonsils, adenoids, spleen, thymus and bone marrow.

Where does lymphoma most commonly start?

Although Hodgkin lymphoma can start almost anywhere, most often it starts in lymph nodes in the upper part of the body. The most common sites are in the chest, neck, or under the arms. Hodgkin lymphoma most often spreads through the lymph vessels from lymph node to lymph node.

How Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma Affects Your Body & Risk Factors to Know | Stanford

Will lymphoma show up in blood work?

Blood Tests

A low level of red blood cells, white blood cells or platelets may indicate that the lymphoma is present in the bone marrow and/or blood.

Where do you itch with lymphoma?

Cytokines can irritate nerve endings in the skin, which can in turn cause persistent itching. Many individuals experience this itchiness in their hands, lower legs or feet, while others feel it throughout their entire body. Patients often report that the itching tends to worsen while they are lying in bed at night.

How fast does lymphoma spread?

After five to 10 years, low-grade disorders begin to progress rapidly to become aggressive or high-grade and produce more severe symptoms. This type progresses fairly rapidly without treatment.

How do you know if lymphoma has spread to liver?

Blood chemistry tests

Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) that is higher than normal may mean that NHL has spread to the liver. LDH will often be higher in people who have an aggressive, or fast-growing, type of NHL.

What are the warning signs of lymphoma?

What should you avoid if you have lymphoma?

Staying at a healthy weight, keeping physically active, and following a healthy eating pattern that includes plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, and that limits or avoids red and processed meats, sugary drinks, and highly processed foods may help protect against lymphoma, but more research is needed to ...

Can stress bring on lymphoma?

There is no evidence that suggests stress causes lymphoma or other types of cancer. Researchers cannot provide evidence that psychological stress worsens lymphoma in humans, either.

Who gets lymphoma the most?

Unlike most cancers, rates of Hodgkin lymphoma are highest among teens and young adults (ages 15 to 39 years) and again among older adults (ages 75 years or older). White people are more likely than Black people to develop non-Hodgkin lymphoma, and men are more likely than women to develop lymphoma.

What infections are linked to lymphoma?

Viruses, like EBV, HTLV-1, HIV, HCV and parasites, like Plasmodium falciparum have been linked to the development of lymphomas.

What are the final stages of lymphoma?

Stage 4. Stage 4 is the most advanced stage of lymphoma. Lymphoma that has started in the lymph nodes and spread to at least one body organ outside the lymphatic system (for example, the lungs, liver, bone marrow or solid bones) is advanced lymphoma.

What is the most common early symptom of lymphoma?

The most common sign of lymphoma is a lump or lumps, usually in the neck, armpit or groin. These lumps are swollen lymph nodes, sometimes known as 'glands'. Usually, they're painless. Fatigue is different to normal tiredness.

How fast does lymphoma spread to nodes?

This fast-growing lymphoma accounts for about one third of NHL cases. For this lymphoma, it is typical for lymph nodes to double in size every month, and patients often present within a few months of having noted an enlarged lymph node.

What happens if lymphoma goes untreated?

If left untreated, the disease will lead to death. If you decline life-saving treatment, you can choose to get support from palliative care (a medical team that manages your symptoms and pain). Later, hospice can support you in the final 6 months to help you manage your quality of life.

Does lymphoma affect liver and kidneys?

Lymphoma is a cancer that starts in your immune system. As lymphoma spreads, it can affect your lymph nodes, spleen, liver, lungs, or kidneys.

How big is a lymphoma lump?

Lymph nodes can swell for a variety of reasons and are considered to be enlarged if they are bigger than 1.5 centimeters in diameter, or slightly larger than a pea. Typically, lymph nodes that are enlarged due to lymphoma are much bigger and can grow to be the size of a grape (or larger).

Does lymphoma start suddenly?

Signs and Symptoms

NHL is a disease that usually comes on suddenly and gets worse quickly. Symptoms vary depending on where tumor(s) are. These are the most common locations and their symptoms: Abdomen – pain, swelling, fever, anemia, tiredness, weight loss, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, and irregular periods.

How long does it take for lymphoma lumps to grow?

With lymphoma, the lymph nodes often grow slowly and may be there for months or years before they're noticed. But sometimes they grow very quickly. Usually, the swollen nodes don't hurt. But some people say their lumps ache or are painful.

Can lymphoma make you feel sick?

chest pain, cough or breathlessness if there's a swelling in your chest. feeling uncomfortably full or feeling sick caused by a swelling in your stomach area. itching either widespread or in one place. bone pain if the lymphoma affects the bone marrow inside your bones.

What does lymphoma rash look like?

When lymphoma affects the skin, it may cause a rash that appears as one or more scaly, reddish-to-purple patches, plaques, or nodules. A lymphoma rash, such as mycosis fungoides (MF), can be easy to confuse with other skin conditions, such as psoriasis or eczema, which can cause similar symptoms.

Where do lymphoma lumps appear?

The most common symptom of non-Hodgkin lymphoma is a painless swelling in a lymph node, usually in the neck, armpit or groin. Lymph nodes, also known as lymph glands, are pea-sized lumps of tissue found throughout the body. They contain white blood cells that help to fight against infection.