Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma: stages of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma
These tests are used to establish accurately the non-Hodgkin's lymphoma diagnosis and to define the progress of this cancer. It will also be possible to define the type of lymphoma, its grade and its stage, depending on the characteristics of the diseased cells.
This classification allows to define the treatment of the patient, for optimal management.
Thus, there are different forms of non-Hodgkin lymphomas. Some are mild or low malignancy: follicular lymphoma, lymphocytic lymphoma (LL), chronic lymphoid leukemia (LLC), marginal zone lymphomas, cutaneous T cell lymphoma... For some of these lymphomas, treatment is not obligatory, not very severe. On the other hand they will have to be monitored regularly.
Other non-Hodgkin lymphomas are more severe, such as diffuse large cell lymphoma B, mantle cell lymphomas, Burkitt lymphoma, peripheral T-lymphomas.
The different stages of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma are:
> Stage 1: Cancer is beginner, cancerous cells are found only in a single ganglionic group, or in an organ.
> Stage 2: Diseased cells were identified in several ganglion groups located on the same side with respect to the diaphragm (muscle separating the abdomen from the thorax).
> Stage 3: Cancer affects different ganglion groups located on either side of the diaphragm.
> Stage 4: Different organs are affected by non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, this can be the liver, the skin, the bones...
Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma: treatments
Depending on the grade, stage and type of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, different treatments can be put in place.
The healthcare team will also have to take into account the patient's state of health, his age...
Note that for some lymphomas with low malignancy, treatment is not always necessary. On the other hand, these patients will have to continue to be monitored.
In most cases, however, treatments should be put in place for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma: chemotherapy, radiotherapy, immunotherapy, bone marrow transplant.
> chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is the combination of different drugs that are able to control cancer cells of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. There are different types of drug associations, we are talking about protocols. This treatment can be done over three or twelve weeks, or even more. It is done by cures that usually last a week.
> immunotherapy
This treatment may be indicated in the case of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. It acts much like the body's natural immune defenses. Different immunotherapy medications can be prescribed: monoclonal antibodies, interferons, radio-immunotherapy. These treatments can be associated with chemotherapy or radiation therapy.
> radiation therapy
Radiotherapy is indicated for the control of cancer cells of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma located at specific locations.
Bone marrow transplant
This treatment may be necessary for some patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. It can be a allogeneic marrow transplant (the bone marrow comes from a compatible third person, often a parent), or from an autologous transplant (the patient receives his own stem cells). This bone marrow transplant is a fairly heavy treatment that requires in particular, a sterile hospitalization.
If all these treatments are effective, they have sometimes severe side effects. Fortunately, there are solutions to combat these effects.
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