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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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.

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Written by Liu Liang
Oncology
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How to check for lymphoma?

Patients with lymphoma generally present with painless enlargement of superficial lymph nodes as their initial symptom, most commonly in areas such as the neck, above the collarbone, and the groin. For diagnostic purposes, it is best, if possible, to conduct a whole-body PADCT scan as this helps in the staging of lymphoma at the initial visit. A definitive diagnosis requires the complete excisional biopsy of the affected superficial lymph node, followed by a pathological examination. An excisional biopsy is a method for confirming the diagnosis of lymphoma.

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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.

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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 Liu Liang
Oncology
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Does lymphoma infect family members?

Lymphoma and other malignant tumors, such as lung cancer, breast cancer, intestinal cancer, liver cancer, etc., are all non-contagious. Therefore, even if you live with your family every day, you do not have to worry about transmitting malignant tumors to your family members; they are not contagious. When we refer to contagious diseases, we call them infectious diseases, common ones include tuberculosis, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, H1N1, etc. These are contagious diseases, but malignant tumors are not contagious and will not be spread to family members.