Which department do you go to for lymphoma?

Written by Zhou Zi Hua
Oncology
Updated on September 02, 2024
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If a lump is found on the neck and lymphoma is suspected, the first step is to consult with the head and neck surgery department. The lymphoma lesion will be surgically removed by the department, and then sent for a pathological examination. If lymphoma is confirmed, the next steps involve treatment by the oncology department, hematology department, or radiation therapy department.

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Written by Peng Li Bo
Oncology
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Is lymphoma hereditary?

Lymphoma is generally not hereditary, as it is not a genetic disease. However, I must mention that most neoplastic diseases do have some hereditary factors to some extent. The reason for this is that the cause of lymphoma is currently unclear, and it may be related to genetic mutations, which raises the issue of heredity. Another point is that heredity often refers to transmission among direct relatives. This means there could be a problem in that you might share similar environments and lifestyles, including diet. If there are factors in your diet or living environment that could trigger lymphoma, and you are both exposed to these factors, then your probability of developing lymphoma could indeed be higher than in patients without a family history, leading to such a concern.

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Written by Liu Liang
Oncology
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What is lymphoma?

Lymphoma refers to a type of malignant tumor that originates in the lymph nodes or extranodal tissues or organs. It is clinically categorized into two main types: Hodgkin's lymphoma and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Furthermore, it can be subdivided into many different pathological types. Among these, diffuse large B-cell lymphoma is the most common type in China, and there are dozens of different pathological types. The pathological type of the lymphoma determines its malignancy level, prognosis, chemotherapy regimen options, and treatment methods, all of which can vary significantly.

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Written by Zhou Zi Hua
Oncology
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Typical symptoms of lymphoma

Typical symptoms of lymphoma include night sweats, fever, and weight loss. This fever often occurs in the afternoon, characterized as a cyclical fever that lasts for several days with irregular patterns. There are fever-free intervals ranging from a few days to several weeks, almost a nonspecific symptom but not commonly seen. Fever, night sweats, and unexplained weight loss of more than 10% within six months, or even emaciation, are considered B symptoms and are associated with a poor prognosis. In addition, skin itching is also not uncommon in late-stage patients.

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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 Wu Xia
Oncology
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How long can lymphoma last?

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.