Lymphoma Symptoms and Prevention

Lymphoma is a form of cancer that affects the lymph nodes. Lymph nodes are small, bean-shaped collections of immune cells found in various parts of the body including under your arms, groin or near your collar bone. This article will provide tips on what are the symptoms of lymphoma, how you can prevent it and how to diagnose it if you think you have this disease.

The Symptoms of Lymphoma

Having a sore or swollen lymph node is not an accurate sign of cancer, however it can be a sign of something more serious. If you have been experiencing night sweats, weight loss, persistent cough or pain in the abdomen for more than one week, it may be time to visit your ENT doctor.

The Role of Diet in Lymphoma Prevention

Lymphoma is a cancer of the lymphatic system. The risk for this type of cancer is very low, but it’s important to do what you can to prevent it. A healthy diet is one of the most important things you can do to lower your risk of developing lymphoma. Lifestyle factors are also important, including smoking cessation, maintaining a healthy weight, and limiting alcohol consumption.

Other Factors that Increase Risk for Lymphoma

It is important to know the risk factors that can increase your chances of getting lymphoma. These include age, race or ethnicity, family history, and exposure to other cancers such as breast cancer. Smoking and drinking alcohol can also increase the risk for this type of cancer.

Prevention of Lymphoma

In order to prevent lymphoma, you should practice good hygiene and avoid contact with people who have had the disease. You should also avoid radiation and hazardous chemicals, which can cause an increased risk of contracting lymphoma. Finally, make sure to be vaccinated. The only way to prevent lymphoma is to not smoke. Researchers have found that non-smoking adults are 10 times less likely to develop lymphoma. The risk of developing this blood cancer then decreases by 6% for every additional year that an adult doesn’t smoke. If you are a smoker, it’s even more important to stop smoking.

The Diagnosis of Lymphoma

When lymphoma becomes active, it starts to grow in the lymph nodes. The diagnosis is difficult because the disease can be localized, but it can also spread to other parts of the body. The tumor might only be millimeters in size, but cause other symptoms like weight loss or fever. If you have one or more of these symptoms, see your ENT doctor for an examination and possible blood work. The next step is to do a biopsy of the lymph nodes. The doctor will take out a small tissue sample, usually with a needle , and look at it under a microscope. If the doctor says you have lymphoma, you will probably need other tests to find out which type you have. The doctor might also do a biopsy of the tumor to find out how fast it is growing. A sample will be removed, and it will be tested to find out how fast the tumor is growing, and what kind of cells it starts from. This will help the doctor decide your treatment .

How is lymphoma treated? Once you have been diagnosed with lymphoma, your doctor will decide which kind of treatment to use. The type of treatment you receive depends on the type of lymphoma you have, how big and how fast your tumor grows, and whether it has spread to other parts of the body.

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