Lymphoma Diffuse Large Cell

Question: My uncle has diffuse large cell lymphoma? I'm extremely close to my uncle. Since my dad left us when I was very young, he acted as my father figure, best friend, and beyond. My mother has just recently told me that my uncle, now in his 50s, was diagnosed with diffuse large cell lymphoma and had been fighting it ever since Winter of 2008. Currently he's in critical condition, and is also battling a lung infection because his immune system has been completely destroyed by the cancer. Please, if you know anything about this type of lymphoma, tell me anything you know and what the chances of survival are. I can't afford to lose him.

Answer: Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphomas (DLBCL) A cancer of b-cells (lymphocytes) that normally reside in the lymphatic system. The word "diffuse" describes the cell pattern. B-cells arise from the bone marrow and mature or differentiate into many cell types that tend to migrate to different areas of the body. What is lymphoma? Briefly, lymphomas result when damage to DNA occurs to a type of white blood cell (a lymphocyte) that results in the abnormal production of proteins that prevents the cells from dying when they should, or causes sustained rapid cell division. These malignant cells then may accumulate to form tumors that may enlarge the lymph nodes or spread to other areas of the lymphatic system, such as the spleen or bone marrow. Lymphoma cells can also migrate to, or first appear, outside the lymphatic system. Lymphoma that presents outside the lymphatic system is called extranodal disease. For details, see What's Lymphoma & Lymphoma simplified. Initial presentation: DLBCL typically presents as a nodal or extranodal (outside the lymphatic system) mass with fast tumour growth associated with systemic symptoms, such as sweats, fatigue, and fever. In about 40% of cases, these lymphomas appear in areas outside lymph nodes, including digestive tract, skin, bone, thyroid, and testes. Staging: Staging refers to the how widespread the disease is. Imaging tests (CT MRI, PET, Gallium) and bone marrow biopsies are commonly done to estimate this. See Staging for more detail.

Question: How to cure diffuse large b cell lymphoma?

Answer: NHL is initially sensitive to many different chemo agents. However, chemo-resistance and relapse of cancer is problematic. So treatment for B-cell lymphoma is usually multi-modal to prevent or minimize resistance to the chemotherapeutic agent. The "gold Standard" for the the treatment of aggressive large B cell lymphoma is CHOP-R (repeat every 21 days for 6 cycles) C - Cyclophosphamide H-Hydroxy-daunarubicin (same as doxarubicin) O-Oncovin (Vincristine) P - Prednisone R-Rituximab.(addition of R to CHOP drugs improves overall survival) However, relapse does occur and there are alternative treatments such as ICE, DHAP, etc... which treatment is better?? It depends on the patient parameters such as renal function, comorbid diseases, etc...

Question: malignant lymphoma diffuse large B cell type?

Answer: Highly treatable. Believe it or not, the agressive forms respond the best to treatment. I had the exact same type, 3 years ago. Check this site for the best info: http://www.leukemia-lymphoma.org/hm_lls Best wishes

Question: Large diffuse B cell lymphoma,Stage 4? My uncle I think,has Large Diffuse B cell lymphoma.I say i think because my uncle's doctors won't give him or my family much information about my uncle's condition. So,I'm looking for information like What exactly is it? And what are the survival rates for stage 4 patients? And my uncle has,what feels like too him,a blockage in his intestines.And is still losing vision in both eyes,and has hemorrhages in his sinus cavities. And his liver,is sort of failing,and his spleen feels enlarged too my uncle. And my uncle says that he's in severe pain in both stomach and back. And my uncle's starting chemo therapy today,after being in the hospital for 2 weeks, So I just want any information about Large Diffuse B cell Lymphoma.Or maybe he has something else?

Answer: Lymphomas are divided into Hodgkins Lymphoma and Non-hodgkins lymphoma. Lymphomas from B cells are Non Hodgkins lymphoma. They are tumors that primarly arise in they lymphoid tissue (lymph nodes) but can originate anywhere in the body. These tumors (cancer cells) travel throughout the body and can invade any tissue or organ. Stage four, unfortunately is a high-grade tumor and your uncle has probably had this for quite a long time for it to get to a stage four because these are slow growing tumors. Chemo is the treatment for this cancer, and it sounds like it has spread throughout his body at this point. Your uncle needs to be point blank with his doctor and demand more information, but understand, your uncle has the right to withhold information from you or anyone else and he may not want to tell everyone what is going on because it is a very hard thing to accept for himself. This affects the entire family, but HE is the one having to deal with the idea of HIS death, so be patient and kind to him. I wish I had better news and just so you know I am a nursing student and am getting my information from my textbook for you. Look up non-hodgkins, google it, or visit the americancancersociety.org to get more information for yourself, your family and your uncle. Use this information to make a list of questions for the doctor. My best to you!!

Question: Large diffuse B cell lymphoma,Stage 4,and what do my uncle's symptoms mean ? I got a great answer when I posted this question yesterday,So now I'm just looking for more answers.Because I'm still wondering why my uncle's been having such severe back and stomach pain,where the spleen is.And why does my uncle have hemorrhages in the sinus cavities? My uncle I think,has Large Diffuse B cell lymphoma.I say i think because my uncle's doctors won't give him or my family much information about my uncle's condition. So,I'm looking for information like What exactly is it? And what are the survival rates for stage 4 patients? And my uncle has,what feels like too him,a blockage in his intestines.And is still losing vision in both eyes,and has hemorrhages in his sinus cavities. And his liver,is sort of failing,and his spleen feels enlarged too my uncle. And my uncle says that he's in severe pain in both stomach and back. And my uncle's starting chemo therapy today,after being in the hospital for 2 weeks, So I just want any information about Large Diffuse B cell Lymphoma.Or maybe he has something else? Yeah, he's on morphine minnie,and thanks for answering too!!!!!! Thanks for the optomism iRun,hopefully the chemo will work fast.

Answer: Diffuse Large B Cell Lymphoma. Diffuse means spread through. Stage 4 means it is in more than one lymph node, above and below the diaphragm and in other organ(s). The back and stomach pain is from the swollen lymph nodes and spleen. The pains can be 'everywhere'. The swollen lymph nodes press on other organs. The spleen is most likely very enlarged. If the liver is affected then there will be a lot of pain in the 'stomach', middle of the body area. Loss of vision indicates the lymphoma has spread to the CNS (central nervous system). The chemo will shrink the tumours and some or all of the cancer will be destroyed. A scan later on will show what effect the chemo is having. The prognosis is different for every patient. It depends how well the chemotherapy works. Age is a factor as well. Lymphoma once in remission is likely to recur at a later date. I have met several people in whom it has recurred, one after 3 years, one after 13 years and one for a 3rd time. Is your uncle having morphine to relieve the pain?

Question: What is a treatment for b cell high grade lymphoma? Not diffuse large b cell....?

Answer: Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma is another name for B cell high grade lymphboma - The treatment for this disease are - Chemotherapy Treatment depends on how far the disease has progressed. It may include external-beam radiation therapy, chemotherapy, or biological therapy (boosting the body's immune response to the disease). Rituxan, a genetically engineered drug involving monoclonal antibodies, has been approved for use against some low-grade (slow-growing) non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Bone marrow transplantation is also sometimes used. In this technique, bone marrow (blood cell–producing tissue inside bone) is taken from the patient and treated to kill any cancer cells. The patient is then given very high dose chemotherapy designed to destroy the cancer; it also destroys the remaining bone marrow. After chemotherapy, the stored marrow is reinserted into the patient. In children, chemotherapy is the most common treatment.-

Question: Any oncologist.....What is a treatment for b cell high grade lymphoma? Not diffuse large b cell....?

Answer: For some, high dose chemotherapy followed by a autologous stem cell transplant. First would be to put the disease in remission with a regimen of chemo. If successful they may do nothing more but monitor but considering it is high grade there is a high rate of reoccurrence hence the stem cell transplant. They usually give growth factor to the patient to stimulate the marrow to produce stem cells. The cells are collected and stored for the patient. Once the high dose chemo is complete they give back the patients stem cells and wait for them to set up shop and produce a new cancer free immune system. This does not always work and auto transplant pts do come back if healthy enough for an allogenic or matched unrelated donor transplant. All in all a complicated course and each oncologist will have a different protocol and view. Always get a second opinion.

Question: Treatment of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma?

Answer: You would probably do a pretty standard treatment, which is called R/CHOPS....it's a combination of several drugs....It's not a bad chemo to do....it was the first treatment I ever went thru and I was able to work full time and do the chemo....I lost my hair, but it didn't make sick and I wasn't too tired.

Question: My husband has stage 4 Diffuse Large B Cell Lymphoma that has spread to his bones? My family is throwing a benefit for him tonight and I am freaking out. What should I wear, it's at a bar?? He cannot be there because his immunity is shot. What do I say to people? Do I explain about the bone marrow transplant? Has anyone been through this? Can anyone share some thoughts with me? Should I bring pictures with me? My family put flyer's everywhere. My phone has been ringing off the hook with questions. There will be so many people there and I'm overwhelmed.

Answer: Aww Hun im so sorry.. just let them talk.. im sure they will understand your emotions now.. stick close to ur family when its time to go there . they will help u thru the night..God bless youns --taking pictures is a great idea if they want to know about it its a good thing to explain hun.

Question: what is Large Diffuse B Cell Lymphoma?

Answer: It is an aggressive form of Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma. Also, it is the exact type I had! The best thing about the aggressive Lymphomas, is that they respond well to treatment. It has been three years for me! I had 6 rounds of CHOP with Rituxan, and 18 radiation treatments. Here is the site with the best info: http://www.leukemia-lymphoma.org/hm_lls Best wishes