How does lymphoma kill you

Targeted therapy drugs attack cancer by targeting the changes in cells that cause cancer. They can be given as an IV into a vein , as a shot, or as pills. Targeted therapy can cause many different side effects depending on which drug is used. These drugs often cause skin changes, rash, high blood pressure, bleeding problems, or blood clotting problems. These side effects usually go away after treatment ends. There are ways to treat most of the side effects caused by targeted therapy.

Radiation uses high-energy rays like x-rays to kill cancer cells. This treatment may be used as the main treatment for some stage 1 or 2 lymphomas. There are 2 main ways radiation can be given. It can be aimed at the cancer from a machine outside the body. This is called external beam radiation.

Or, the radiation can be attached to an immunotherapy drug which takes it right to the lymphoma cells. If your doctor says you should have radiation treatment, talk about what side effects might happen. The most common side effects of radiation are:. Most side effects get better after treatment ends. Some might last longer. Talk to your cancer care team about what you can expect. Surgery is often used to do a biopsy to find out if a person has non-Hodgkin lymphoma and, if so, the type.

Clinical trials are research studies that test new drugs or other treatments in people. They compare standard treatments with others that may be better. Clinical trials are one way to get the newest cancer treatment. They are the best way for doctors to find better ways to treat cancer. And if you do sign up for a clinical trial, you can always stop at any time. There are no routine screenings for lymphoma. If a person has persistent viral symptoms, they should seek medical consultation.

They will also carry out a physical examination, including an inspection of the abdomen and chin, neck, groin, and armpits, where swellings may occur. The doctor will look for signs of infection near lymph nodes since this can account for most cases of swelling. Blood tests and biopsies: These can detect the presence of lymphoma and help a doctor distinguish between different types. A biopsy involves a surgeon taking a sample of lymph tissue.

The doctor will then send it for examination in a laboratory. The surgeon may remove a small section or all of a lymph node. In some cases, they might use a needle to take a tissue sample. It might be necessary to carry out a bone marrow biopsy. This may require a local anesthetic, a sedative, or a general anesthetic. Biopsies and other tests can confirm the stage of the cancer to see whether it has spread to other parts of the body. A spinal tap: In this procedure, a surgeon uses a long, thin needle to remove and test spinal fluid under local anesthetic.

Staging of the cancer depends on the type, growth rate, and cellular characteristics. In stage 0 or 1, the cancer stays in a confined area. By stage 4, it has spread to more distant organs, and doctors find it more challenging to treat. A doctor may also describe lymphoma as indolent, meaning that it remains in one place. Some lymphomas are aggressive, which means they spread to other parts of the body. With Hodgkin lymphoma, The chances of a good outcome decrease as lymphoma progresses.

Many of these treatments are already available for some types of lymphoma, and more are being tested in clinical trials. To find out more about clinical trials, or to search for a trial that might be suitable for you, visit Lymphoma TrialsLink. If you would like further information or would like to talk about any aspect of your lymphoma, please contact us.

Stay up-to-date with the latest lymphoma news, events, support services, campaigns and ways you can get involved — and receive our Lymphoma Matters magazine. How does lymphoma affect the immune system? You might pick up infections more easily, and they could be more severe or last for longer than they would normally.

If you have lymphoma cells in your bone marrow , they take up space that is normally used to make healthy blood cells, including white blood cells that fight infections. It can also cause weight loss and loss of muscle mass.

Back to top How does treatment for lymphoma affect the immune system? Effects of treatment on your immune system Many chemotherapy drugs damage your bone marrow, where your blood cells develop.

Other ways treatment can affect your immune system As well as white blood cells, your immune system includes physical barriers to help stop germs getting into your body. This can include: chemotherapy or radiotherapy, which can damage your skin or the lining of your mouth , making it easier for germs to enter injections or blood tests , which pierce your skin and can provide a point of entry for germs having a peripherally inserted central catheter PICC line or central line fitted, which can give bacteria a route into your bloodstream surgery, including biopsies , which create a break in your skin that can allow germs into your body.

Back to top Using the immune system to treat lymphoma Some lymphoma treatments use your immune system to help treat the lymphoma. These include: Antibody therapy , which uses man-made antibodies to flag up lymphoma cells and tell your immune system to kill them. Antibody therapy is used to treat many types of lymphoma, usually in combination with chemotherapy. Read more on Leukaemia Foundation website. Read more on Cancer Australia website. Non-Hodgkin lymphoma is a type of blood or haematological cancer that starts in white blood cells known as lymphocytes.

Find out about the symptoms, diagnosis and treatment options for non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Get your evidence-based facts direct from Cancer Council here. Read more on Cancer Council Australia website. Rare Cancers Australia is a charity whose purpose is to improve the lives and health outcomes of Australians living with a rare or less common cancer.

Read more on Rare Cancers Australia website. What is lymphoma? Find out about the symptoms, diagnosis and treatment options for Hodgkin lymphoma and non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma cover multiple types of conditions that attack the immune system. Learn more about causes, diagnosis and treatments with Canteen. Read more on Canteen website.

Lymphoblastic lymphoma Listen What is lymphoblastic lymphoma? Lymphoblastic lymphoma is an aggressive form of non-Hodgkin lymphoma. ALCL is a rare type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

Rituximab is a monoclonal antibody that depletes B cells from the circulation. It was originally used to treat lymphoma but is increasingly used for the Read more on Australian Prescriber website. The incidence of cancer is rising and co-ordination of care is essential.