The lymphoma is a cancer of the lymphatic system which is the body’s disease-fighting network. In lymphoma, the blood starts to multiply in an abnormal way and begin collecting in certain parts of the lymphatic system such as the lymph nodes. These cells travel between the lymphatic and circulatory system while fighting the infections and viruses, hence the lymphomas are blood-related cancers that lose their infection fighting properties and make you more vulnerable to infection.
Causes & Risk Factors
Cancer is the result of cells that grow uncontrollably and do not die. The normal cells in the body follow an orderly path of growth, division and death; whereas the programmed cell death is called as apoptosis. The cancer results when this process breaks down.
The risk factors for lymphoma are genetics, carcinogens, age, NHL risks, etc. Additional medical conditions associated with higher lymphoma rates are infection with HIV, Epstein-Barr virus, human T-lymphocytic virus type (HTLV-1), auto-immune disease such as lupus, Helicobacter pylori or Hepatitis B or C, diseases requiring therapies to suppress the immune system and other immunodeficiency diseases.
Symptoms
- Swollen, painless lymph nodes in the armpits, neck or groin
- Soaking night sweats
- Unexplained weight loss
- Breathing or chest pain
- Coughing trouble
- Feeling of fullness in the abdomen
- Fatigue
Diagnosis
- Physical examination: The swollen lymph nodes in the neck, underarms and groin and swollen spleen or liver are examined by the doctors.
- Excisional biopsy: Entire lymph node is removed to diagnose lymphoma.
- Biopsy: Only sure way to diagnose lymphoma.
- Incisional biopsy: Only a part of lymph node is removed to diagnose lymphoma.
- CT scan/CAT scan
- X-ray
- Gallium scan
- MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging)
- Laboratory Tests: Blood tests and urine tests
- PET (Positron Emission Tomography)
Affordable Treatment Lymphoma Cost in India
Several factors like patient’s age, stage of lymphoma, likely progression of lymphoma, sub-types of lymphoma and possible side effects of the treatments are taken into account when deciding the treatment.
1) Chemotherapy: It is widely used treatment for lymphoma and often combined with radiotherapy. The type of chemotherapy you receive will depend on the type and stage of lymphoma. An aggressive chemotherapy will involve injections of chemotherapy (intravenous) while a moderate one will involve taking chemotharpy tablets (oral).
2) Radiotherapy: It is often used to treat stage 1 and stage 2 lymphomas when the cancerous cells are located only in one part of the body. Treatment is given daily over the gap of 2-6 weeks. Radiotherapy is painless but it do have lots of common side effects that may vary depending on which part of your body is being treated.
3) Steroids: These are used to treat some cases of lymphoma in combination with chemotherapy as it makes the treatment more effective. They are given intravenously at the same time as chemotherapy. A short-term course of steroids lasting not more than a few months are recommended to limit the side effects like sleeping problems, appetite, increased energy levels, indigestion, etc.
4) Monoclonal Antibody Therapy: These are drugs which can recognize and find a particular type of cancer cell in the body. The monoclonal antibody attach themselves to the cancer cells and destroy them. They can be used alone or with radiotherapy or chemotherapy. This therapy is available for certain types of lymphoma and can be given in different ways.
5) Transplants: In some cases, high doses of chemotherapy destroys the lymphoma cells and the bone marrow to help it make new healthy blood cells. Some stem cells may be taken with a special machine before the chemotherapy and these cells are then transplanted into the body where they find their way to the bone marrow and help them build healthy new blood cells.
India offers low cost Lymphoma treatments and medical services by maintaining the highest level standards at top hospitals.The surgeons are renowned for providing lymphoma treatments to the patients with the utmost care and compassion. Over the years, these factors have attracted numerous cancer patients from across the globe to get their treatments in India. Contact Indian Medguru Consultants to get your consultation for affordable treatment lymphoma cost in India.