Is lymphoma serious?

Written by Liu Liang
Oncology
Updated on September 25, 2024
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The severity of lymphoma relates to its specific pathological type and the stage of discovery among other factors. For instance, some highly aggressive lymphomas grow very rapidly, leading to swift disease progression, resulting in a poorer prognosis and more severe conditions. On the other hand, indolent lymphomas progress slowly, with lymph node growth being particularly sluggish, and the disease course can extend to even decades. Thus, conditions of such indolent lymphomas are relatively milder. The stage of lymphoma at the time of discovery also plays a role; early-stage lymphoma, such as stage I or II, is comparatively less severe. In contrast, patients with later stages, such as stage III or IV, experience more severe conditions. Therefore, the type of pathology and the stage at discovery are all significant factors.

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Written by Liu Liang
Oncology
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Are all lymphomas malignant?

Tumors can be benign or malignant; malignant tumors are commonly referred to as cancer. Lymphoma, because it originates from lymph nodes or tissues or organs outside the lymph nodes, is a type of malignant tumor, and thus it is called lymphoma. All lymphomas are malignant; there are no benign lymphomas. However, based on specific pathological types, lymphomas are classified into two main categories: non-Hodgkin lymphoma and Hodgkin lymphoma, but all lymphomas are malignant.

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Written by Peng Li Bo
Oncology
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What are the symptoms of lymphoma spread?

The symptoms of lymphoma spread depend primarily on its original location. Generally, the most common site of origin is in the neck. Spread means that it has moved to other areas, so it may have spread to the armpits, groin, or popliteal fossa. If there is swelling or a tumor in the lymph nodes in these areas, it manifests as a tumor that can be felt in those specific locations, like in the groin or armpits. Of course, it is possible that it may spread to substantive organs, such as the lungs. If it spreads to the lungs, symptoms might include shortness of breath, coughing, and blood in the sputum.

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Written by Peng Li Bo
Oncology
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What is lymphoma Ki-67?

Lymphoma Ki67, also known as the proliferation index, is one of the indicators in immunohistochemistry performed after the pathological diagnosis of lymphoma. If this proliferation index is higher, it indicates that the activity of the tumor is stronger, and its proliferation is more active, thus the tumor should be given sufficient attention. Of course, active treatment should be pursued. Therefore, Ki67 reflects the activity of a tumor; if the index is very high, greater than 90%, it sometimes implies that the tumor can grow very rapidly, or not only grows significantly but might also spread to many places.

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Written by Wu Xia
Oncology
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Is lymphoma contagious?

Current research has not found lymphoma to have a very clear genetic predisposition or familial clustering. This is entirely different from familial breast cancer and colon cancer. Although there are many causes of lymphoma, and it is likely related to certain bacterial and viral infections, the mechanism of tumor occurrence is very complex. Infection is only one of the external factors, and currently, there is no evidence that lymphoma has tendencies for contagion or outbreaks. Therefore, as a relative of a lymphoma patient, the risk of developing lymphoma is not significantly higher than that of the general population, so there is no need for excessive worry.

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Written by Liu Liang
Oncology
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Can people with lymphoma eat lamb?

Patients with lymphoma do not have any specific dietary restrictions, unlike traditional Chinese medicine, which refers to certain "heaty" foods that should be avoided. In Western medicine, as long as the diet is nutritionally balanced, including meat, protein, vegetables, and fruits, it fulfills the requirements of a balanced and comprehensive nutrition. The aim is to enhance the patient's immune system. There are no specific foods that are forbidden, so foods like lamb and beef can be consumed by lymphoma patients.