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When Lymphoma strikes

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Treatment for lymphoma
Most people are totally not familiar with Lymphoma until it hits someone close to them or themselves. There will be initial shock and disbelief, a denial of the fact and finally, despair and frustration. However, it is important that emotions is kept in check and a good understanding of the facts and information behind the disease is undertaken.

The prognosis will help you understand the kind of Lymphoma and give you a clue as to the kind of treatment required to be given. It is important to remember that the patient or the family is not alone in this fight against the disease. A number of support systems have been set up to assist them through this traumatic phase of life.

We have attempted to briefly describe below, the different types of treatments that are available to the patient.

Chemotherapy and Radiation Therapy
The use of drugs to neutralise the cancer cells is called chemotherapy. Chemotherapy is usually a combination of drugs which is different for every patient. Radiation therapies kill the cancer cells by the use of high energy rays such as X-Rays. These shrink the cancerous tumours. If the tumour was benign surgery alone would be sufficient.

Chemotherapy is often called systemic treatment. This is because the drugs travel though the body and kill those potential cancerous cells that have not yet started dividing rapidly. Patients receive a combination of treatments which include radiation, chemotherapy and surgery.

Bone Marrow Transplant
High-dose chemotherapy (HDCT) is a method in which high amounts of the drugs are introduced to kills the cancer cells. These doses are lethal to the cells in the bone marrow. During treatment patients are given regular bone marrow transplant for normal production of red blood cells and white blood cells. This transplant may be from the patient themselves or from another person.

Biological Therapy
Biological response modifier therapy (BRMT) is one of the latest techniques used in curing cancer. The technique involves the chemicals of the body to activate the body’s own defences against the cancer cells.

These therapies are still experimental and research is being actively carried out in these areas. The new approaches include:
• Immunotherapy
• Angiogenesis inhibitors
• Gene therapy

Immunotherapy
Immunotherapy involves the activation of chemicals called cytokines, which help the B-cells produce antibodies to fight against the cancer cells. Research is being done with two important chemicals called interleukin and interferon. A new therapy developed by the scientist is to bind the antibodies which fight these cancer cells with a drug which will kill the cancer cells. This type of targeting will be very beneficial as only the tumours will be affected and not the healthy tissues.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved of one such drug called Rituxan. Another similar drug Bexxar is waiting for approval. A new novel approach done by the scientist is to develop a tumour vaccine. The vaccine activates the body’s own defences even before the cancer is developed.

Angiogenesis Inhibitors
Angiogenesis inhibitors are drugs that prevent new blood vessels from forming in the site of the cancer. Tumours need new blood vessels for their supply of nutrition and oxygen. Cutting off their supply to these essentials will prevent the cancer cells from growing.

Gene Therapy
This is the newest approach to cancer. Pieces of DNA are sent into the cells to correct mutations in these cells. Most cancers are known to arise from damage to the DNA and this therapy will help a great deal.Research and experience has revealed that not all cancers are terminal and not all patients die when they are diagnosed with Lymphoma. It is important to understand the type of Lymphoma, the stage of the disease and the treatment required and one must aggressively undertake the same. More and more patients are regaining their health and live long quality lives after the diagnosis and treatment of the disease!

Other difficulties associated with Lymphoma
Cancer of any kind can be traumatic for the patient and his family. The first reaction is shock and inability to take in the implications of learning to live with the fact. Most often than not, everyone is convinced that the patient is going to die. This will have a negative impact on the physical and psychological well being of the patient. It is important to remember that the patient and the family require physical and psychological support throughout the treatment phase. Let us briefly explore the problems that are associated with Lymphoma.

Be aware that diagnosed and treated early, chances of surviving Lymphoma is indeed very high.

Physical Problems with lymphoma
One of the first effects of lymphoma is anemia. Anemia is a deficiency of red blood cells in the blood. The red blood cells carry the oxygen to all parts of the body. Reduced number of these red blood cells usually causes extreme fatigue. Anemia can be treated with medications and blood transfusions. Lymphoma affects the immune system and hence the immune system is weakened. It is not unusual to develop a variety of diseases due to decreased immune response. Sleep disorders, depression, mental anxiety and other physiological problems are common. These can be treated with medicines and constant support from the people around the patient.

Side effects due to the treatment of lymphoma
Chemotherapy and radiations therapies are some of the many treatments for this dreaded disease. The side effects are usually unpleasant but most of them are temporary. Unusual tiredness and fatigue, nausea and vomiting, pain and hair loss, anemia and blood clotting related problems are some of the many side effects. The doctor will be able to provide more information on how to reduce the side effects and make it more bearable. By experimentingwith combinations of treatments one can find out what works for one best.

Treatment of the side effects
There are many approaches to dealing with the side effects. Some are at the physical level and some in the physiological level. Relaxation techniques, massages, self hypnosis, Transcutaneous Electric Nerve Stimulation (TENS), acupuncture, alternative medicine, skin stimulation by heat, cold and pressure are some of the methods used to help the patients. There are many support groups which can be contacted which help people deal with the disease. The patient should eat the correct prescribed food and sleep normally. The change of atmosphere can benefit a little if the patient is up to it. Loving care and supporting the patient can help a great deal.

Eating right!
Though it is difficult to eat during treatment due to the nausea and the vomiting, not eating will result in further weakening of the system. The body needs all the nutrition it can get to repair it self and help you recover. A recommended diet will be at least 4-5 serving of fresh fruits and vegetables, protein rich food in the form of dairy products and meat. Carbohydrates in the form of cereals, bread and pastas are a must. Plenty of water, soups and juices must be drunk at regular intervals.

Soft food and easily digestible food is recommended. Spicy food, fizzy drinks, alcohol must be avoided. Eating small meals at regular intervals is better than eating a lot at one go. It will meet the nutritional need and vomiting won’t occur.
Taking care of the body and mind!

The cancer therapies usually cause blisters and sores in the mouth. Brushing your teeth after every meal is very important. If the mouth is too sore rinse it with water. Plenty of
Rest and adequate sleep is imperative. People with other diseases like cold or flu must not come in contact with patient. A support group or a physiologist can be consulted when the patient is very depressed and stressed out.

Pain relief
Cancer is very painful. Adequate pain killers must be taken as prescribed by the doctor. Other techniques like meditation and self hypnosis can help to an extent. Feeling in control of the situation can give confidence and help the patient cope better. Have a second opinion if you feel the treatment is not working.

Making sure
Lymphomas are known to reoccur and therefore a regular check up every month is a must. Any side effects and irregular symptoms must be reported to the doctor immediately.

It is evident, the process of treatment and the period of treatment of Lymphoma can be traumatic physically and mentally to the patient and his family. The entire family is required to rally around the patient and to ensure that he is provided with an environment that is clean, sterile and infection free. They must watch out for the moods of the patient and help him over the humps. They must at all times be optimistic and convey their optimism to the patient. They must ensure that help is available at hand at all times to deal with both physical and psychological symptoms!

Success or failure of treatment will depend on all these factors.

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DISCLAIMER: Information on this website is not presented by a medical practitioner and is for educational and informational purposes only. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

 
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