Lymphoma Cancer – A Life Threatening Disease
By: Groshan Fabiola

Lymphoma cancer is a form of cancer that affects the lymphatic system of the body. The lymphatic system has a very important role in protecting the organism from infections, producing cells that destroy infectious agents such as viruses and bacteria. When the lymphatic system is affected, the entire immune system is weakened, increasing the body’s susceptibility to a wide range of diseases. Lymphoma cancer causes the production of malignant, replica lymphocytes (white cells), which multiply at abnormally fast rates, eventually outnumbering their normal counterparts. The dysfunctional cells accumulate in different places of the lymphatic system, causing inflammation and enlargement of the lymph nodes, lymphatic tissues and lymphatic organs (tonsils, thymus, spleen).

There are two main types of lymphoma cancer: Hodgkin’s Disease (Hodgkin’s Lymphoma) and Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. Statistics indicate that the incidence of Hodgkin’s Lymphoma in the American population has considerably decreased since the 70’s, and in present the disease accounts for less than 1 percent of all cancers in the United States. By contrast, the incidence of Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma in the American population has known a rapid increase. Research results reveal that the number of overall cases of Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma cancer has doubled since 1973, nowadays representing more than 4 percent of all cancers in the United States.

Lymphoma cancer can be developed by people of all ages. However, some forms of Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma has the highest incidence in people with ages over 50, while other types of Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma predominantly occur in children with ages between 5 and 15. Lymphoma cancers are rarely developed by infants and very young children. Although lymphoma cancer can occur in both genders, the disease commonly affects men. Women are more likely to develop forms of lymphoma cancer after the age of 60.

Although the actual causes of lymphoma cancer remain unknown, the disease seems to occur due to genetic abnormalities. Most lymphoma cancers are believed to be triggered by acquired genetic dysfunctions, which cause an overproduction of abnormal cells. Scientists also suspect environmental factors to be the secondary cause of lymphoma cancer, as many cases of cancer occur due to exposure to harmful chemicals (pesticides, insecticides, nitrates). Viral infections also appear to have a role in the occurrence and the progression of lymphoma cancer, although the specific viral agents haven’t been identified yet.

The categories exposed to the highest risk of developing lymphoma cancer are: people with native or acquired deficiencies of the immune system (people who suffer from HIV commonly develop lymphoma cancer), people who have followed prolonged cancer treatments (chemotherapy or medical treatments with immunosuppressants), people who have suffered surgical interventions (organ transplants) and elderly people (due to weak immune system and high susceptibility to disease). Since the genetic dysfunctions related with lymphoma cancer are acquired (not genetically inherited), the disease can’t be genetically transmitted from one generation to another. Hence, people with blood-relatives affected by lymphoma cancer virtually present no risk of developing the same disease.

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