The Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma (Essay Sample)

Running Head: THE NON-HODGKIN LYMPHOMA
Title: The Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma
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Introduction
According to American Cancer Society (ACS), cancer is the abnormality present in body cells. There exist many types of cancer, caused by different elements and that have different treatment approach methods (ACS, 2015). Cancerous cells continue replicating, and they do not die out. Furthermore, the malignant cells may form tumours in most cases or move from one tissue to the other within the body organs. The process by which these cells move from one body part of the body to the other in the body is referred to as metastasis according to the American Cancer Society (ACS, 2008). During metastasis, the cancer cells grow and replicate, replacing the normal cells in the tissues they invade. Cancer interferes with the DNA of other cells in the body and hence forming more of the cancerous cells. The damaged DNA, especially in the gametocytes, are inherited to the offspring and hence acquiring cancer from the parents (ACS, 2015). However, it is substantial noting that not all tumours are cancerous. Benign tumours are examples of non-cancerous tumours and unlike malignant tumours, they do not metastasize (ACS, 2015). They usually grow and replicate pressing other healthy organs and tissues. The American Cancer Society classifies lymphomas in two broad categories; Hodgkin lymphoma and non-Hodgkin’s lymphomas.
Non-Hodgkin is Lymphoma
According to the American Cancer Society, no-Hodgkin’s lymphoma is a form of cancer which develops initially from the lymphocytes. These are cells in the lymph nodes as well as lymphoid tissue like spleen, thymus, adenoids and tonsils, and bone marrow. American Cancer Society revealed that in 2015 non-Hodgkin's cancer comprises 95% of all diagnosed cancers in America (ACS, 2015). Evans (2003) describes that there are many forms of the non-Hodgkin’s lymphomas, which even confuse the medics in their classification. According to American Cancer Society, the World Health Organization (WHO) system of cancer classification is so far the most reliable in classifying the Non-Hodgkin’s lymphomas. The WHO system classifies the lymphoma according to their appearance under the microscope, their chromosome characteristics, and the incidence of certain proteins on the surface of these cells (Evans & Handcock, 2003). The main types of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma are B cell and T cell lymphomas.
B-cell Lymphomas
Evans (2003) argues that the B-cell lymphomas have a proportion of 85% of all non-Hodgkin’s lymphomas in the United States (Smith & Eyre, 2003). The diffuse large B-cell lymphomas are the most common in the globe. The cells of this type of lymphoma, when viewed under the microscope, are large. This kind of lymphoma is common in all age groups of the population according to the American Cancer Society but numerous in older adults (ACS, 2015). Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma develops in the lymph nodes of body organs such as the abdomen, or chest as quickly growing mass. However, it can begin its development in areas such as the spine cord, the brain, the intestines and even the bones (Friendberg & Freedman, 2006). Some of these lymphomas are localized while others spread in the body system. Diffuse large B- cell lymphoma has different subtypes that have different prognoses and response to treatments. Most of the diffuse large B-cell lymphomas are treatable with therapy (Smith & Eyre, 2003).
The first main subtype of the diffuse large B-cell lymphoma is the primary mediastinal B-cell lymphoma (ACS, 2008). In this sub-type, the lymphoma cells have been observed to be large, with much fibrosis in the background. It is most common in young women than men of the age of 30s. Primary Mediastinal B- cell lymphoma begins in the mediastinum, and it is always localized (ACS, 2008). Patients with this type of lymphoma experience difficulties in breathing, as the lymphoma presses the trachea. The lymphoma gets attributed to blockage of the superior vena cava leading to swelling of arms and hands in the patients (Pinkerton, 199). The lymphomas grow quickly but respond better to therapy. The second subtype of the diffuse large B-cell lymphoma is the intravascular large B-cell lymphoma. This type is quite rare than the former (Gross & Termuhlen, 2008). The lymphomas are only found in the blood vessels and particularly not in the lymphoid system.
Follicular Lymphoma
The follicular lymphoma is prevalent in individuals with an average age of 60 (ACS, 2008). The lymphoma grows in a circular pattern inside the lymph nodes. The follicular lymphoma is common in the bone marrow and most lymph node sites in the body (ACS, 2015). These lymphomas are hard to cure, but they respond well to treatment. Some of the follicular lymphomas are slow growing, but if treatment gets delayed, they may convert to the fast-growing diffuse B-cell lymphoma.
Small Lymphocytic Lymphoma
These are forms of the lymphomas which appear in the chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL) (Smith & Eyre, 2003). CLL lymphoma cells are current in the blood vessels and the bone marrow while the SLL are common in the lymphoid-associated organs such as the spleen and the lymph nodes (Pinkerton, 1999). CLL and SLL are both slow growing, and they have similar treatment protocols. However, these lymphomas if not treated early may transform to aggressive types of the lymphoma.
Mantle Cell Lymphoma
These are lymphomas whose sizes under the microscope appear to be small in size to a medium-sized (Smith & Eyre, 2003). Mantle cell lymphoma gets associated with men of the average age of 60 than in women. The lymphoma is not localized but metastasizes in the lymphoid organs such as the spleen, lymph node and the bone marrow (Zenlentz et al., 2010). The lymphoma is difficult to treat, but it is slow developing type.
Marginal Zone B-cell Lymphomas
According to American Cancer Society, these lymphomas account for 10% of the total lymphomas (Zenlentz et al., 2010). The cells of these lymphomas are small when viewed under the microscope. This type of lymphoma has three different kinds. The first type is the extranodal marginal zone B-cell lymphomas and is the most common (ACS, 2008). This type originates from areas other than the lymph nodes such as the stomach and gets associated with Helicobacter pylori infection. The lymphomas can as well develop from other body parts such as the thyroid, skin, lungs, salivary glands and tissues surrounding the eye (Zenlentz et al., 2010). Furthermore, most of the reported cases of this kind of lymphomas are associated with bacterial or viral infections in the body organs (ACS, 2008). This lymphoma is slow developing and more frequent in individuals at the age of 60s in average.
The second type of marginal zone B-cell lymphomas is the nodal marginal zone B-cell lymphoma (ACS, 2015). It is rare and associated with older women than men in most reported cases. They are localized in the lymph nodes as well as the bone marrow. When diagnosed early enough, the lymphomas are cured though it is the slow-growing type (ACS, 2008). The third type is the splenic marginal zone B-cell lymphoma, which is rare and found in the lymph nodes and the bone marrow. Patients diagnosed with this kind of lymphoma are characterized by fatigue and abdominal discomforts caused by splenomegaly. This type is common in elderly men than women, and it is slow growing like other most B-cell lymphomas (Zenlentz et al., 2010).
Burkitt Lymphoma
This type is quite rare and comprises of 2% of the lymphomas. The lymphoma is most common in African children and young adults (ACS, 2015). The cells of the lymphoma under the microscope appear to be medium sized to large sized. Burkitt lymphoma is a very fast growing type and starts as a tumour of the jaw or other bones of the face (Holleb & Murphy, 1991). This lymphoma gets associated with the spread of the Epstein-Barr virus. In the USA, the lymphoma starts from the abdomen forming a large mass. Other areas where the lymphoma can originate from include the testicles, ovaries or other organs and can metastasize to the brain and the spinal fluid (Pinkerton, 1999). The largest number of patients ailing from this lymphoma has been found to be men according to the American Cancer Society.
Lymphoplasmacytic Lymphoma
It is an uncommon lymphoma accounting for only 1% of lymphomas (ACS, 2015). The cells of the lymphoma when observed under the microscope appear small. The lymphoma gets associated with tissues such as the bone marrow, lymph nodes and the spleen (Holleb & Murphy, 1991).
Hairy Cell Leukemia
This type of B-cell lymphoma is rare, and their cells are small when observed under a microscope (Evan & Handcock, 2003). Also, they have a hairy projection in appearance and hence their name. They occur in the blood, bone marrow and the spleen. The average age of this lymphoma is 50 with the largest number of patients being men (ACS, 2015). The lymphoma is slow-growing and responds well to treatment. Patients diagnosed with this lymphoma have low blood cell counts and enlarged spleens.
Primary Nervous System (CNS) Lymphoma
This kind of lymphoma mostly affects the nervous system such as the central nervous system and the spinal cord, as well as the tissues surrounding it (Gross & Termuhlen, 2008). The lymphoma is rare but mostly affects people with compromised immune system. The most common symptoms associated with this type of lymphoma include but not limited to vision problems, headaches, weakness or altered sensation in the face, arms or legs and seizures might be present as well (Smith & Eyre, 2003).
T-Cell Lymphomas
Lymphomas associated with T cell account for less than 15% of...