How long can lymphoma last?

Written by Wu Xia
Oncology
Updated on September 10, 2024
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In clinical practice, lymphomas are classified into Hodgkin's lymphoma and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma is a relatively common type of tumor in China and has the highest incidence among lymphomas. However, it is further divided into dozens of subtypes, each with distinct clinical symptoms. Aggressive lymphomas can be cured, while indolent lymphomas can be managed with the tumor remaining. Thus, the question of how long one can live with lymphoma cannot be generalized; it depends on the type and stage of the disease, and many can be cured completely.

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Written by Liu Liang
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The difference between lymphoma and lymphatic cancer

Cancer, commonly referred to as malignant tumors in everyday language, is generally known to the public simply as cancer—for example, lung cancer, liver cancer, colon cancer, etc. It specifically refers to malignant tumors that occur in epithelial tissue, which we call cancer. Lymphoma, on the other hand, refers to malignant tumors that occur in lymph nodes, or in extranodal organs or tissues, which we call lymphoma. There are also malignant tumors that occur in mesenchymal tissue, known as sarcomas. In fact, lymphoma is also a type of malignant tumor, so people commonly refer to it as lymphatic cancer. Therefore, lymphoma and lymphatic cancer are essentially the same disease, with lymphatic cancer specifically referring to lymphoma.

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Lymphoma registration: which department?

Patients diagnosed with lymphoma can register under the departments of Hematology or Oncology, as both departments can administer chemotherapy. However, radiation therapy can only be conducted in the Oncology department. Each hospital may have slightly different categorizations for departments and diseases. However, for a patient initially presenting with lymphoma, who has not yet been diagnosed and primarily shows symptoms of painless lymph node enlargement, they can register under General Surgery. After completing necessary examinations like an ultrasound, if lymphoma is suspected, a lymph node excision biopsy is usually performed in General Surgery.

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Written by Liu Liang
Oncology
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How is Hodgkin's lymphoma treated?

The treatment of Hodgkin's lymphoma is based on various factors including the stage of the disease as well as the general condition of the patient, among other comprehensive considerations. For patients with early stage Hodgkin's lymphoma, commonly referred to as localized Hodgkin's lymphoma, the treatment principle is a combination of chemotherapy and radiotherapy. A rational comprehensive treatment can achieve a five-year survival rate of 80% to 90%. For advanced-stage patients, such as those with stage IV Hodgkin's lymphoma, the treatment primarily consists of systemic chemotherapy. Therefore, the choice of a specific treatment plan must also consider a variety of factors based on the patient's overall condition.

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Written by Peng Li Bo
Oncology
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Lymphoma has what manifestations?

The symptoms of lymphoma, simply put, are that some people feel a lump on their neck or in their armpit; it starts as a sudden appearance of a swelling that gets larger over time, sometimes not just one, but multiple lumps clustered together. This is indeed the most common symptom, where one can feel something on their neck, including under the jaw or the chin, noticing suddenly a nodule has formed, whether it's the size of a chicken egg or otherwise. That's one aspect. The second involves systemic symptoms, which primarily include fever, night sweats, and weight loss. These three symptoms are quite common.

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Written by Liu Liang
Oncology
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Is lymphoma serious?

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.