Lymphoma

Question: What is low grade lymphoma and how is it treated? My friend just had a melanoma removed on her leg a month ago and two days ago they removed her lymph node near her iliac crest. The preliminary biopsy says it is not melanoma, but now they suspect it is low grade lymphoma. One doctor told her it could be a "false positive" Pet Scan. There is another suspicious lymph node at her aortic base. They did not biopsy that. Is it normal to have a melanoma and lymphoma, or did they just happen to discover these inflammed lymph nodes because of the melanoma promting the Pet Scan. Is it possible she has always had inflammed lymph nodes? I sure hope so!

Answer: I assume 'low grade' means the tumour (if that's what it is) is not dividing particularly rapidly and is possibly not as invasive/liable to spread as a higher grade tumour. This is good news as it means it should be easier to treat.

Question: If Lymphoma goes into remission does that indicate the person is cured and can live normally? My partner unfortunately has been diagnosed with Lymphoma. I am scared that I will lose him. He is beginning an aggressive one month round of Chemo therapy and I'm wondering if after the chemo, the Lymphoma goes into remission, does that eventually mean he is "cured" and can live a normal life?

Answer: A few different things to consider. There are two major kinds of lymphoma. There is a specific type called Hodgkin's Disease and then there is Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, which is basically every other lymphatic system cancer that isn't considered Hodgkin's Disease. There are about 30 different kinds of Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. A remission generally means that the person simply has no evidence of disease. In lymphoma, a person often will go into remission, but then still need more chemotherapy and/or radiation to make sure any microscopic disease has been wiped out. For example, in Hodgkin's Disease, two cycles of "extra" chemotherapy are commonly given beyond the initial remission point. A cure in lymphoma is generally defined as being in remission for five or more years, with no relapse. For purposes of defining "cure," the period of time is measured from the end of treatment, not the initial remission point. Hodgkin's Disease and some kinds of Non-Hodgkin's are considered curable. Some kinds of Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma are considered treatable, but incurable. This means that although it may be possible to control the lymphoma or even achieve a remission, it will almost always come back. Lymphoma that comes back after initial remission may bey treated with high dose chemotherapy and stem or bone marrow transplant. This treatment can provide very long-term remission rates for some people, possibly even cure. A person with lymphoma in remission should be able to live a normal life. Sometimes the drugs used to treat the lymphoma have long term side effects, but many people return to normal life and are able to exercise, work, etc. It depends on the individual. Because lymphoma is such a diverse set of cancers, it is difficult to generalize without knowing what a person's specific subtype is. Generally, the type of lymphoma (HD vs. NHL, then what specific type of NHL), stage of disease, and the person's overall health are most important to determining how well a person does. Best of luck to you both.

Question: What are the chances of surviving lymphoma? My friends mother was just diagnosed with lymphoma, I didn't want to ask her too many questions because she was upset. All I know is that she has lots of small tumors in her organs and that it's lymphoma. Do any of you know someone who has lymphoma? How long did they live? What are her chances? Tell me your personal experiences. Anything, please.

Answer: Short answer- may be curable. Would need to know whether Hodgkin's or Non-Hodgkin's, stage, age, lab data, current health status to say more, but... Hodgkin's disease is highly curable, even in advanced stages, may occasionally require more aggressive therapy (like stem cell transplant), but some tmes is refractory (unresponsive) to therapy. NHL is a varied mix ranging from slow growing but incurable types to aggressive but many times curable. Chemotherapy is mainstay of treatment for widespread disease for either type. Take heart, pray for her. Best wishes

Question: What can cause an inhomogenous spleen in hodgkin lymphoma? My friend has Hodgkin lymphoma and his disease has gone away in his chest but he still has tiny densities and mild inhomogenity on his spleen. He is done with chemotherapy. What does it mean to have inhomogenous stuff on the spleen? Is it like a scar?

Answer: This is a term used by radiologists that does not help us much as clinicians because it is so non-specific. It probably means nothing. We can't safely biopsy the spleen - it bleeds too easily. If the Hodgkin's lymphoma has resolved in the chest, it is not very likely that the lymphoma is active in the "inhomogeneous" areas of the spleen. To really know what is going on in the spleen, you would have to surgically remove it. This will not be recommended with an uncertain report stating "inhomogeneous." Follow-up and time are the key. There is no better test in this situation than the "test of time" to see if your friend has a durable remission. There is no great hurry to find recurrence. I would assume a positive outlook. We do well treating Hodgkin's lymphomas in most patients. Our best chemotherapy is given first, and your friend is finished with that.

Question: What is the survival rate of a person diagnosed with lymphoma of the lungs? My sister just got a probable diagnosis of Lymphoma in her lungs. I just want to know how serious this is. So if any one can help, it would be much obliged. And what kind of treatments are there?

Answer: All cancer is very serious and all the different kinds of lymphoma have the potential to be fatal. But, lymphoma that is in the lungs is also potentially CURABLE. A lot depends on what kind of lymphoma your sister has. Lymphoma (cancer of the lymphatic system) is divided into two major types: Hodgkin's Disease (most common in ages 15 to 35) and Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Which kind of lymphoma your sister has will depend on the results of the biopsy. Lymphoma that has spread to the lungs generally will be staged as 4. There are four stages in lymphoma; stage 4 denotes disease outside the lymphatic system that has spread to an organ like the lung, liver, or bone marrow. Hodgkin's Disease very commonly begins in the chest and may spread to the lungs. Stage IV Hodgkin's Disease has a cure rate with chemotherapy of 50% or better. (Actual prognosis depends on a number of other factors.) I know there are many Hodgkin's survivors who had lung involvement. Hodgkin's Disease is a fairly rare cancer, about 8,000 cases per year. (However, there are a lot of us Hodgkin's survivors running around because it is such a potentially curable cancer.) Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma is a much more diverse group of cancers. There are about 60,000 cases of N-HL every year. There are over 30 different kinds of Non-Hodgkin lymphoma. These can range from curable kinds (Burkitts, Diffuse Large B-Cell) to non-curable kinds (mantle cell for example is very difficult to cure). Non-Hodgkin's lymphomas are usually grouped together as aggressive or indolent (depending on how fast they spread). Some lymphomas grow very fast, others grow slow. Lymphoma is generally treated with chemotherapy, sometimes with the addition of radiation. Very limited lymphoma is sometimes just treated with radiation. Lymphomas tend to be very sensitive to chemotherapy and as I said, even stage IV lymphoma is potentially curable depending on what kind it is. I've included some good sources to learn more about lymphoma below. Hodgkin's Disease specific: http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/types/hodgkinslymphoma/ Non-Hodgkin's specific: http://www.nci.nih.gov/cancerinfo/types/non-hodgkins-lymphoma Message boards for both N-HL and HD: http://www.lymphoma.com/ The LLS: http://www.leukemia.org/hm_lls Lymphoma Information Network: http://www.lymphomainfo.net/ ACS: http://www.cancer.org/docroot/nws/content/nws_2_1x_what_is_lymphoma_.asp Best of luck to your sister.

Question: How much $ does the leukemia&lymphoma society normally make marathon participants raise? Just wondering if anyone has participated in the leukemia&lymphoma society's marathons and how much money they needed to raise in order to participate in the event - Did anyone raise more than what they needed!!??!! That'd be exciting!

Answer: Which one are you talking about. In 2006, the Nike Women's Marathon raised $16 million. There are several every year all around the country.

Question: What are the chances of survival for 3 month old lymphoma? My friend went to the doctor several times over the last 3 months, and each time the doctor said it was an infection, and prescribed medicine to heal it. But it never healed. So they went to a different doctor and it turns out that it is lymphoma cancer. He goes into surgery tomorrow. What do you think his chances of survival are, considering he went 3 months without knowing it was cancer?

Answer: my husband has been going through treatment for lymphoma for 5 years now.....it took about 8 months beefier they diagnosed him correctly......he has had chemo (loads of it) a stem cell transplant with his own stem cells and a stem cell transplant with his sister's stem cells.....he is not cancer free, and won't be, but with these treatments he is able to have a good quality of life and a prolonged life.....if he had not had the last stem cell transplant he would not be here right now. he is very positive and strong......give your friend much strength, support and be there for him/her to "lean on" ...i will send out much positive thoughts to you and your friend and i wish for all the very best!!!

Question: What is the survival rate using chemotherapy in children for lymphoma? In the US, chemotherapy for Children with Lymphoma (cancer of the lymphatic system) is ruled by a judge as mandatory. How many survive? What are the statistics?

Answer: Lymphoma is the general name, but there are many sub types of it. It can be Hodgkin's or Non-Hodgkin's (and there are a dozen or so different types of Non-Hodgkin's lymphomas). It therefore depends on the exact type of lymphoma you are referring to - and naturally it depends on how advanced the lymphoma is when it is detected. Survival rates for lymphoma are pretty high - normally around 80% However, most lymphomas have a high chance of recurrence. All the very best

Question: What is the prognosis for an elderly dog with lymphoma? My 11 year old yellow lab's bloodwork came back indicating a growth in the liver, she has several skin lesions that are, so far, unexplained. they dont seem to be any kind of dermatological disorder and the vet feels that her bloodwork and skin lesions might be an indication of lymphoma. this dog has been my bestfriend for 11 years, and she's going in for an ultrasound on saturday. if she does have a malignant tumor in her liver, or even worse, lymphoma... how long might she have left? and what are the treatment options?

Answer: Generally if a dog has lymphoma they will have one or many enlarged lymph nodes. These are found under her ears and jawline, in the neck, under the arms, and the backs of her thighs. Usually a fine needle aspirate is done to find out if there is any indication of lymphoma or if it is simply infection. A biopsy- which is a slightly larger sample is sometimes needed as well. If your dogs bloodwork came back with elevated liver enzymes it can be an indication of several things- cancer being one of them. It can also be an infection of the liver or an indication that the liver is begining to fail. Liver infection can often be treated with antibiotics and sometimes I.V. fluids. Liver failure can be treated with a special diet and medications to help it work more efficiently. I have seen dogs go several years with a good quality of life in both of these cases. If it is a tumor an the liver- unfortunately there is not a whole lot that can be done. Some medications can help to improve her quality of life and make her confortable until the end. Some times antibiotics help to head off infection caused by the tumor. In the case of lymphoma- The dog is usually put on steroid therapy with prednisone- this can make them drink more water and act more hungry, and sometimes pant and pace some, but overall it greatly improves her longevity- it will also help greatly with any arthritis or allergies that she may have. Chemotherapy is also used at the same time- usually consisting of weekly or every other week injections and bloodwork- some oral chemo drugs are also used. This is a good way to prolong her life with out major side affects. Most dogs do not get sick from chemotherapy like people do and it doesn't really affect their day to day life much. Occasionally they will feel a little droopy if their blood cell counts get to low from the chemo and you will have to skip a week of treatment. I have seen dogs live up to 2 1/2 more years with a good quality of life on this treatment and others only 6 months. I am very sorry that you have to go through this with your friend, I recently lost my 10 year old golden retriever to a brain tumor and a close friends golden to lymphoma ( he went 2 years with chemo treatment befor he felt bad.) Good luck and I wish the best for both of you. Send me an update after your ultrasound results or if you have any more questions. I hope it turns out to be nothing serious.

Question: Can getting a tattoo after having lymphoma cause any potential health issues? I survived a very rare lymphoma about 5 years ago and am thinking about getting a small tattoo. However, before I get one I want to get some advice regarding any potential health issues.

Answer: This shouldn't really effect your health in anyway, just be aware that lymphoma is a disease of the immune system and by having a tattoo you are exposing yourself to possible complications and infections. If you are concerned speak to your doctor as they should be able to answer any concerns you have. Also, find a reputable tattoist and ask their advice to see what they say.

Question: lymphoma??? what are some symptoms of lymphoma that is in your abdomen? i know that abdomenal pain and swelling is a symptom but are they both together or can you have just abdomenal swelling? how big does your belly get with swollen abdomen? also is it firm? what does it feel like? thanks in advance!

Answer: read http://cancer.about.com/od/lymphoma/a/ly…

Question: what side effects of chemo for gastric lymphoma for 78 yrs old can be expected? my mom is diagnosed with gastric lymphoma second stage.doc is planning to start with chemo? will she be able to tolerate the side effects ?

Answer: The chemotherapy will be given of different drugs based on the stage and grade of gastric lymphoma. Since the patient is very much aged the doctors will be giving only mild chemotherapy medicines and will not risk by giving strong medicine. Second stage of this disease for this age is difficult to treat also. So the Oncologist will decide upon the drug to be used. Any how the side effects will be the same as the chemotherapy given for any other cancer. The usual side effects are- * nausea and vomiting * loss of appetite * hair loss * anemia and fatigue * infection * easy bleeding or bruising * sores in the mouth and throat * neuropathy and other damage to the nervous system * kidney damage Nausea and vomiting are common, but can usually be controlled by taking antinausea drugs, drinking enough fluids, and avoiding spicy foods. Loss of appetite may be due to nausea or the stress of undergoing cancer treatment. However you have no other alternative than giving the treatment as suggested by your oncologist as CANCER IS STILL AN ENIGMA.-

Question: What should I expect from marginal zone lymphoma? My mom was just diagnosed with non-cancerous marginal zone lymphoma. Does anyone know that I should be expecting or what that will entail? Please help me out. Thanks in advance.

Answer: Marginal zone lymphoma IS cancerous; it is a type of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. It can behave incredibly benign however, so survival is measured in years. It is not considered curable unless localized. Check this page for more info: http://www.lymphomation.org/type-mz.htm

Question: Does anoyone know the treatment for cats with lymphoma? My cat has been having respiratory problems, and the vet took and x-ray (where he is staying at the moment) and said there is a 90-80% chance that he has a lymphoma. He says he will definitely die if he does, and that there's no way of treating. He's 12 years old. Can anyone confirm this because I keep on hearing people asking questions about the type of treatment? Please answer quickly, I don't have much time.

Answer: Hi there... chemotherapy has been used with cats diagnosed with lymphoma, however with your cat being 12 years old the treatment itself would likely be fatal. I would consider speaking with the veterinarian further to help you formulate the best decision in the best interest for your cat. Feline lymphoma: http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?…

Question: How common is it for the pediatrician to find lymphoma in a toddler? Like i said once before,my daughter has these lumps on and around her collarbone.I have noticed another one today.Very small one..The doctor said the cbc came back ok.And the xray did also..But what could this be..Anyone know of any children that has been diagnosed with lymphoma?

Answer: Keep at your doctor - change doctors if you have to. You know your child and you know when something's not right. You may need to have one of the lumps biopsied. But, there are MANY things that make lymph nodes swell. Not all of them are something bad. BUT, you need to know for sure what's going on. Do your best not to stress yourself out. Is your daughter tired or lethargic? Here's the best site I know on Lymphoma: http://www.leukemia-lymphoma.org/hm_lls Best wishes

Question: What is the best thing to do about Canine Lymphoma? My 11 yr old Westy has Canine Lymphoma. She is doing well on chemo but I would welcome advise from anyone who had this situation.

Answer: I think it depends on ypu and your dog. my 6 year old cocker spaniel was diagneosed with lymphoma one year ago. i started him on chemo one year ago, and he has been in remission and doing great since. i'm soglad that i opted to try chemo. good luck with your dog.