Lymphoma

Lymphomas be a group of malignant tumors ( undersurfacecers) that develop from lymphatic tissues and specifically from proliferating lymphocytes. They ar of three types, namely Hodgkins lymphoma, non-Hodgkins lymphoma and Burkitts lymphoma (which can also be considered as a type of non-Hodgkins lymphoma). The incidence of lymphoma in the US is somewhat 64, 000 every year, and more than 493, 000 be living with the sickness (Leukemia and Lymphoma decree 2006).Hodgkins lymphoma is a unique malignant condition in which the lymphoid tissues present throughout the body are involved (undergo painless enlargement), and is characterized by the presence of reliable tumor known as Reed-Sternberg cells (Mackie and Ludlam 1996). The incidence of Hodgkins lymphoma in the US is about 7, 500 annually (Portlock and Yahalom 2000). Non-Hodgkins lymphomas are a group of cancerous tumors that arises from the lymphoid tissues and is characterized by the malignant generation and growth of the lymp hocytes.The Reed-Sternberg cells are absent. Non-Hodgkins can develop in around any site of the body such as the lymph nodes, spleen, liver, bone marrow, digestive tract, brain, etc. 70 % of all lymphomas belong to the non-Hodgkins variety (Mackie and Ludlam 1996), and about 50, 000 people developed this condition in the US in 1997 (Shipp and Harris 2000). Burkitts lymphoma is an aggressive variant of non-Hodgkins lymphoma that arises from the B-lymphocytes. It is associated with the EB virus, and more often occurs in schoolgirlish children (Mackie and Ludlam 1996).The exact actor of Lymphomas and the manner in which the disease occurs is still not understood properly. Several factors including immunodeficiency states (which may be congenital or acquired), morbific diseases, chemical substances (including certain drugs, solvents, pesticides, fertilizers, herbicides, etc), physical agents, auto tolerant conditions, etc, may be associated with the disease (Shipp and Harris 2000). In immune disorders, the bodys defense mechanism is compromised, and g subverting antigenic stimulation may result in the development of lymphomas.In several(prenominal) congenital disorders, such as Wiscott-Alcridge syndrome, common variable immunodeficiency and voiceless combined immunodeficiency may be related with certain lymphomas. Several acquired immune disorders such as post-transplant states, AIDS, administration of immunosuppressant, etc, may be associated with lymphomas. Individuals suffering from unhomogeneous autoimmune disorders such as Hashimotos Thyroiditis, Sjogrens syndrome, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, etc, may be associated with lymphomas.Several infectious agents such as H. pylori, EB virus, HTL Virus-1, Hepatitis C virus, Kaposis Sarcoma-causing virus (that is linked to the HIV virus) may be associated with the development of lymphomas (Shipp and Harris 2000). catching factors also play a very important role ion the development of lymphomas, as the incide nce is higher in siblings (than ordinary population) and identical correspond (compared to non-identical twins) (Portlock and Yahalom 2000).The tumor cells present in Hodgkins lymphoma is known as Reed-Sternberg cells (large in size with 2 nucleus) which may be present in lower numbers compared to other inflammatory cells. Based on the amount and the manifestations of the Reed-Sternberg cells, Hodgkins lymphoma can be classified into 4 types. As the number of Reed-Sternberg cells increases and the lymphocytes drop, the diseases progresses, spreads to several areas of the body (including the extra-nodal sites) and has a poorer outcome (Portlock and Yahalom 2000).Various modalities are currently use to stop and fight the disease namely, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, bone marrow transplantation, immunotherapy, Angiogenesis Inhibitors, and gene therapy (ehealth MD 2004). These individual modalities may be required alone or in combine with each other to effectively treat the disease and disgrace the adverse-effects.Chemotherapy is the administration of certain agents (usually utilizing multiple drugs) into the blood that destroys the cancerous cells and reduces their uncontrollable genesis (Shipp and Harris 2000). Radiotherapy is administered to the affected site to shrink the size of the tumor by destroying cancerous cells. Both these therapies may be required in combination with each other (ehealth MD 2004). Bone marrow transplantations are performed to step in the bone marrow affected with the chemotherapy and replace with healthy tissue that can restore the WBC counts (Mackie and Ludlam 1996).Immunotherapy is a treatment modality in which certain substances known as cytokines are administered which stimulate the white blood cells to ictus and destroy the cancerous cells. Some of the cytokines that are frequently utilized take on interferon and interleukin. Monoclonal antibodies can also be administered that help the bodys defense cells to fight the cancero us cells. They usually attach themselves to the cancerous cells, which are later identified and destroyed by the white blood cells.Vaccines are also being manufactured that could prevent infections associated with lymphoma. Angiogenesis Inhibitors are medications that prevent the geological formation of new blood vessels in the body. They can be administered locally in the area of the tumor, such that the blood vessels that feed the tumor are destroyed. In this way the cancerous cells are deprived of nutrition and may easily degenerate. Gene therapy involves correcting the defect in the DNA so that the cancerous cells do not multiply uncontrollably, or certain molecules are attached which cause the cancerous cell to die (ehealth MD 2004).ReferencesE-Health MD. Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma. Internet. 2004 cited 2007 Apr 16. Available from http//www.ehealthmd.com/ subroutine library/lymphoma/NHL_treatment.htmlMackie, MJ, Ludlam, CA 1996. Diseases of the Blood. Edwards, CRW, Bouchier, IAD, Haslett, C, editors Davidsons Principles and Practice of Medicine. 17th ed. Edinburgh Churchill Livingstone. p. 815-821.Portlock, CS, Yahalon, J 2000. Hodgkins Lymphoma. Goldman, L, Bennett, JC, editors casebook of Medicine. 21st ed. Philadelphia W.B. Saunders. p. 969-977.Shipp, MA, Harris NL 2000. Non-Hodgkins Lymphomas. Goldman, L, Bennett, JC, editors Textbook of Medicine. 21st ed. Philadelphia W.B. Saunders. p. 962-969.The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma. Internet. 2007 cited 2007 Apr 16. Available from http//www.leukemia-lymphoma.org/all_page?item_id=7030