Cancer is the first  disease which increasingly kills Thai people. And lymphoma is one of the top five hit diseases that has been found. However, in our bodies, there is a lymphatic system which fights against diseases. The system consists of white blood cell that protects the body from infection including creating an immunity. In addition, lymph nodes can be found in many parts of the body such as , neck, armpit, breast, and groin etc.

There are two types of lymphoma.

1. Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL) which is the most common type of lymphoma in Thailand.

2. Hodgkin’s lymphoma (HD)

Risk factors 

Mostly occurs more in “male” than female with an age range of 60 to 70, including those with Helicobacter pylori infection, EBV infection and chemicals exposure. Such as insecticides, as well as patients with SLE and HIV.

Diagnosis

In patients who are suspected to have some risks of lymphoma. After giving this required information to your doctor such as career, environment, key factors of disease. The doctor will provide theses following detections.

1. Biopsy.

2. Providing a bone marrow test to determine if the disease spreads into it.

3. Computed tomography (CT scan).

4. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

5. Bone Scan.

6. PET Scan.

Early symptoms of lymphoma.

Patients with early stage of lymphoma often have fever, cold, chronic coughing, tonsil enlargement, breathing obstruction, sweating , anorexia and weight loss. Including, body itching and lumps on the neck, armpit or groin etc.

Factors that cause lymphoma.

Lymphoma … is usually caused by lifestyle or habits. Which risk factors come from consumption for example, eating chocolate, butter or cheese. Including alcohol drinking and hormone  change as well as sleep deprivation and  living in an environment where there are pollution, smell of cigarette, perfume or hot air.

The stage of lymphoma is divided into four phases.

Patients with early stage of lymphoma often have fever, cold, chronic coughing, tonsil enlargement, breathing obstruction, sweating , anorexia and weight loss. Including, body itching and lumps on the neck, armpit or groin etc.

Stage 1: There is a lesion either in the lymph nodes or outside the lymph nodes.

Phase 2: There are lesions in the lymph node or outside the lymph node with more than 2 positions.

Phase 3: There is a lesion in the lymph nodes or outside the lymph nodes. Which locates on the other side of the diaphragm

Stage 4: The lesion spreads beyond a first position, such as the liver, bone marrow, or lung.

Treatment

Patients with early stage of lymphoma often have fever, cold, chronic coughing, tonsil enlargement, breathing obstruction, sweating , anorexia and weight loss. Including, body itching and lumps on the neck, armpit or groin etc.

Stage 1: There is lesion either in the lymph nodes or outside the lymph nodes.

Phase 2: There are lesions in the lymph node or outside the lymph node with more than 2 positions.

Phase 3: There is a lesion in the lymph nodes or outside the lymph nodes. Which locates on the other side of the diaphragm

Stage 4: The lesion spreads beyond a first position, such as the liver, bone marrow, or lung.

Self-care after treatment 

Patients with an early stage of lymphoma often have a fever, cold, chronic coughing, tonsil enlargement, breathing obstruction, sweating, anorexia and weight loss. Including, body itching and lumps on the neck, armpit or groin etc.

• Eat clean and fresh foods.

•Exercising, patients can do exercise as long as they can, do not overdo it.

• The skin should be bathed and cleaned thoroughly, especially in sweaty areas.

• Keep your mouth clean.

• Should wash and clean the anus every time after defecation.

• Mental health care is very important and you should understand a treatment plan by discussing with a doctor.

• Sleep with a full resting.