6. Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy uses drugs to destroy abnormal cells and is one of the most commonly used treatments for lymphoma. It works by interfering with the ability of the cancer cells to grow and divide.
The drugs enter the bloodstream and travel throughout the body, reaching cancer cells that have spread beyond the original site of the tumor. Examples of chemotherapy drugs include alkylating agents, antimetabolites, and topoisomerase inhibitors.
Chemotherapy is usually given in cycles, with each cycle consisting of a series of treatments followed by a period of rest. This allows the body to recover from the side effects of the treatment before the next cycle begins.
5. Radiation Therapy
Radiation therapy uses high-energy rays to kill abnormal cells and shrink tumors. It works by damaging the DNA of the cancer cells, preventing them from dividing and growing.
There are two main types of radiation therapy that can be used to treat lymphoma. External beam radiation therapy involves using a machine outside of the body to deliver the radiation. The patient lies on a table and the machine is positioned to deliver the radiation to the affected area.
The other type of radiation therapy is internal. This type of radiation therapy involves placing a radioactive source inside the body, near the cancer cells. It is also known as brachytherapy.
4. Stem Cell Transplant
A stem cell transplant can replace damaged or destroyed cells with healthy ones. It can help to replace damaged bone marrow with healthy cells, which can help to reduce the risk of lymphoma coming back.
There are two main types of stem cell transplants that can be used to treat lymphoma. The first of which is autologous stem cell transplant. This type of stem cell transplant involves using a person’s own stem cells.
The person’s stem cells are collected, treated with chemotherapy or radiation therapy, and then returned to the person.
The second type is called allogeneic stem cell transplant: This type of stem cell transplant involves using stem cells from a donor. The donor’s stem cells are collected, tested for compatibility, and then given to the person with lymphoma.
A syngeneic stem cell transplant is a type of allogeneic stem cell transplant that involves using stem cells from an identical twin. In this type of transplant, the twin’s stem cells are a perfect match for the person with lymphoma, so there is no need for tissue typing or immunosuppressive drugs to prevent the rejection of the transplant.
3. Immunotherapy
Immunotherapy helps the immune system fight abnormal cells by boosting its ability to recognize and attack them. Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR)-T cell therapy, also known as adoptive therapy is a subcategory of immunotherapy.
It involves taking immune cells from the patient, modifying them in the laboratory to make them better able to recognize and attack the cancer cells, and then infusing the modified cells back into the patient’s bloodstream.
CAR-T cell therapy has shown promising results in the treatment of certain types of lymphoma, particularly in patients who have not responded to other treatments. Other subtypes of this particular therapy are monoclonal antibodies and Checkpoint inhibitors:
2. Targeted Therapy
Targeted therapy uses drugs to specifically target and destroy abnormal cells while minimizing damage to healthy cells. There are several types of targeted therapies that are used to treat lymphoma.
Monoclonal antibodies are proteins created in the laboratory. They have the ability to ward off illness and infection. They can be designed to target specific proteins found on the surface of lymphoma cells, which can help to slow down or stop their growth.
Small molecule inhibitors are drugs that target specific proteins involved in the growth and survival of cancer cells. By blocking these proteins, small molecule inhibitors can help to slow down or stop the growth of cancer cells.
BCL-2 is a protein that helps to regulate cell death. In lymphoma, BCL-2 can be overproduced, leading to the survival of cancer cells. BCL-2 inhibitors can help to restore normal cell death and reduce the number of cancer cells.
1. Surgery
Surgery may be used to remove the primary tumor. If the lymphoma has formed a solid mass or tumor, surgery may be performed to remove the entire tumor. This is most commonly used for low-grade lymphomas that have not spread to other parts of the body.
It may also be used to provide a biopsy. If the lymphoma is not forming a solid mass, a biopsy may be performed to obtain a sample of the tissue for diagnosis and to determine the type of lymphoma.
Surgery can also be used to relieve symptoms. In some cases, surgery may be performed to relieve symptoms caused by the lymphoma, such as pressure on surrounding organs or difficulty breathing.
In some cases, surgery may not be appropriate, and alternative treatments may be recommended.
These are some lymphoma symptoms and treatments worth knowing about.