How to check for lymphoma?

Written by Liu Liang
Oncology
Updated on September 26, 2024
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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 Peng Li Bo
Oncology
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Is lymphoma contagious?

Lymphoma is not contagious, as it is not an infectious disease but a tumoral disease. Therefore, it is not contagious, and when seeking medical treatment for lymphoma, patients do not go to the department of infectious diseases. Typically, treatment is conducted in the oncology department or in the hematology department specializing in lymphoma. Thus, lymphoma is not contagious because it is not caused by an infectious pathogen. It is a solid tumor that is tangible and visible.

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How is malignant lymphoma treated?

The common treatments for malignant lymphoma currently include chemotherapy, targeted therapy, radiation therapy, and the use of immunosuppressants. There are also newer treatments such as cell reinfusion. The choice of treatment for malignant lymphoma definitely depends on the specific pathological type. Another factor is the stage of the lymphoma—it could be in stages one, two, three, or four, which definitely matters. The third factor is whether the lymphoma causes any symptoms or signs in the patient because some minor lymphomas may allow for observation and waiting, but many require active treatment.

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Written by Zhou Zi Hua
Oncology
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Which department do you go to for lymphoma?

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 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 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.