Treatment Options for Overcoming Lymph Nodes

Lymphoma is the term used for cancer that starts in the lymph system and affects the white blood cells. This condition, which is also known as lymph node cancer, can spread to other organs of the body quickly. Therefore, knowing what the right treatment is is something important.

Types of Lymph Node Cancer

Before explaining about treatment for Lymph node cancer, knowing the different types of cancer experienced is important because it is related to the treatment plan that will be carried out.

There are two types of lymphoma, among them:

1. Hodgkin Lymphoma

Hodgkin lymphoma is a condition in the body where there are cells reed-sternberg (Hodgkin cells) which are abnormally large B-lymphocytes.

When a person experiences enlarged lymph nodes due to Hodgkin’s lymphoma, generally a few cells will be found reed-sternberg with lots of immune cells around it. These immune cells will cause the lymph nodes to swell.

2. Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma

Non-Hodgkin lymphoma is a type of cancer that starts from abnormally growing white blood cells (lymphocytes). This cancer will affect the lymphatic system in the body.

Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma can start in any organ in the body as long as lymph tissue is present. This type of cancer is mostly found in the lymph nodes, spleen, spinal cord, thymus, tonsils, and digestive tract.

Also Read: 11 Symptoms of Lymphatic Cancer that are Rarely Noticed

Choice Lymph Node Cancer Treatment

Treatment for lymphoma is aimed at destroying cancer cells and relieving symptoms.

Treatment plans may vary for each patient. The reason is, this plan will be prepared depending on age, overall health condition, type of lymphoma suffered, and cancer stage.

The following are several types of treatment that can be undertaken by lymph node cancer sufferers, including:

1. Strict Supervision

If the patient is known to have lymphoma but the development of cancer cells is slow and there are no serious health problems, then the doctor may suggest delaying treatment while continuing to observe the growth of cancer cells.

This option can be taken because treatment that is too early will be in vain. When choosing close supervision, it is recommended that you consult with a doctor for a certain period of time while continuing to carry out periodic checks.

You need to immediately consult a doctor whenever your symptoms get worse.

2. Radiotherapy

Radiotherapy is widely used in the early stages of lymphoma, where cancer cells only grow in one part of the body.

The duration of treatment with radiotherapy depends on the type of lymphoma and its stage. Radiotherapy uses high-energy radiation that can kill cancer cells.

3. Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy treatment is the main method for treating Hodgkin’s lymphoma. However, this medication is also widely used to treat non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

Chemotherapy involves drugs that can kill cancer cells. Drugs can be given in several ways, depending on the stage of the cancer. Patients will generally receive drugs directly into a vein, in the form of drinking tablets, or a combination of both.

Chemotherapy can also be combined with other treatment methods, such as radiotherapy, administration of steroid drugs, or targeted therapy.

Also Read: Recognizing the Differences in the Characteristics of Cancer and Infection Lymph Nodes

4. Targeted Therapy

If a diagnosis of some rare types of lymphoma is diagnosed, the doctor may advise the patient to undergo targeted therapy treatment.

This therapy works by targeting directly to organs where there are cancer cells or helping the immune system to attack cancer cells.

5. Spinal Marrow Transplant

High-dose chemotherapy not only kills cancer cells, but also kills cells in the spinal cord that are responsible for making red blood cells.

This treatment is useful for restoring the body’s ability to make red blood cells after undergoing radiotherapy and chemotherapy.

6. Operation

Surgery is rarely done to treat non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. This treatment is generally done to remove lymph nodes for biopsy purposes, remove the spleen, or remove tumors before chemotherapy procedures.

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