Lymphoma Treatment in Philippines

Lymphoma occurs in many forms classified as Hodgkin lymphoma, and the other types are the non-Hodgkin. Hodgkin lymphoma affects the bone marrow and the blood while non-Hodgkin affects the lymphatic tissue and the lymph nodes.

• Fever
• Soaking night sweats
• Pain and swelling of the belly
• Swollen and painless lymph nodes especially in the armpits, groin, and the neck
• Unplanned weight loss

Just like other types of cancers, lymphoma progresses in stages, and this influences the mode of treatment adopted. In most cases, a combination of the following treatment options is used.

This procedure involves the administering of powerful drugs to kill cancer cells. The drugs either are pills or fluid infused into the bloodstream through intravenous means. Chemotherapy is, therefore, a systemic therapy implying that the drugs circulate through the blood stream affecting all parts of the body.

This involves the use of high-energy rays to kill and eliminate the cancer cells. It is classified as a local therapy implying that it is used on cancer-affected areas. In most cases, the surrounding regions are also radiated to eliminate any threat of infection. A radiation oncologist performs the process.

It is also known as immunotherapy and uses the body’s natural immunity against pathogen to fight lymphoma. There are varying types of biological therapies such as monoclonal antibodies and cytokines among others. These treatment options are preferred due to their minimal side effects.

• Cytokines: These are naturally occurring chemicals produced by the body to stimulate cells in your body and mostly the immune system. The chemical can also be produced artificially and administered to stimulate the growth of blood cells in case of lymphoma.
• Vaccines:In cancer patients, these vaccines stimulate the immune system to initiate a specific response against cancer. They serve as memory so that in the case of future recurrence, the immune system activates early. In conclusion, the type or combination of treatment adopted depends on the patients’ health condition, the ability to withstand the side effects, methods previously used and the stage of lymphoma.