Beware of the “disguiser” in the tumor world—lymphoma

Experts call lymphoma "the disease that is best at disguising itself." Common symptoms such as fever, night sweats, sore throat, weight loss, and swollen lymph nodes may be "disguised" lymphoma, which is difficult to detect but can spread throughout the body, so that many patients are already in the late stages by the time they are diagnosed.

Is lymphoma really incurable? Early detection is important!

There is currently no effective early screening method for lymphoma, but the early symptoms of lymphoma are still very obvious. If you find the following conditions, you should seek medical attention as soon as possible.

1. Swollen lymph nodes

The lump continues to grow larger, and there is often no obvious redness, swelling, heat or pain in the local area. The enlarged lymph nodes are often more than 1.5 cm in size.

2. Fever

Mostly irregular, may present as continuous high fever, or intermittent low fever, and a few may have periodic fever

3. Alcohol-induced pain

About 17%-20% of lymphoma patients will experience pain in the lesion 20 minutes after drinking. This symptom may appear earlier than other symptoms and X-ray manifestations, and has certain diagnostic significance.

4. Gastrointestinal symptoms

Patients may experience loss of appetite, abdominal pain, diarrhea, abdominal mass, intestinal obstruction and bleeding. The most commonly affected area is the small intestine, more than half of which is the ileum, followed by the stomach.

5. Liver damage

It can cause pain in the liver area, diffuse infiltration or swelling in the liver, and jaundice may occur when the lymph nodes compress the common bile duct.

6. Local bone pain

In severe cases, secondary nerve compression may also occur.

7. Skin itching

Some patients also develop a rash, but itching usually occurs before the rash develops. Occasionally, severe sweating may occur.

8. Discomfort in tonsils, mouth, nose and throat

Symptoms of dysphagia, nasal congestion and nosebleeds appear in the tonsils, mouth, nose and pharynx.

A method to teach you how to check your lymphatic health

Most superficial lymph nodes can be self-examined by palpation, such as those in the neck, armpits, and groin.

Self-examination method

Put the index finger, middle finger and ring finger together, place the fingertips flat on the skin of the examined area for sliding palpation (slide between the skin pressed by the fingertips and the subcutaneous tissue). The sliding method should be in multiple directions perpendicular to each other or in a rotating manner. Through self-examination by touch, abnormalities of lymph nodes can be discovered as early as possible. Especially when lymph nodes are obviously swollen or rapidly enlarged, you must seek medical attention in time. Of course, even if you find swollen lymph nodes, don't worry too much. Most inflammatory lymph node enlargement can be quickly improved through anti-inflammatory treatment. If anti-inflammatory treatment is ineffective or accompanied by unexplained high fever, especially when accompanied by weight loss, it may be a warning of cancer and should be checked in time.

5 Ways to Diagnose Lymphoma

1. Blood and bone marrow examination

Patients with Hodgkin's lymphoma often have anemia and leukocytosis, mainly granulocytes. The presence of RS cells in the bone marrow smear is evidence of bone marrow infiltration. Patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma mostly have normal white blood cells, a relative or absolute increase in lymphocytes, and leukemia-like blood and bone marrow pictures in the late stage.

2. Imaging examination

Imaging examinations include examination of superficial lymph nodes, mediastinum and lungs, abdominal and pelvic lymph nodes, liver and spleen, positron emission tomography, etc.

3. Laboratory examination

In the active stage of lymphoma, accelerated erythrocyte sedimentation rate, increased serum lactate dehydrogenase activity, and elevated lactate dehydrogenase indicate a poor prognosis.

4. Laparotomy

It is generally not accepted by patients. When the fever is to be investigated, lymphoma is highly suspected clinically, and ultrasound reveals enlarged abdominal lymph nodes but no enlarged superficial lymph nodes for biopsy, laparotomy is also required for a clear diagnosis, and splenectomy and biopsy are performed at the same time.

5. Pathological examination

The method of taking enlarged areas, larger and intact lymph nodes for sectioning and staining for histopathological examination is the gold standard for diagnosing lymphoma.

What can be done to prevent lymphoma

1. Most young people choose to live in new houses after getting married, but newly renovated houses are often seriously polluted. It is recommended to choose environmentally friendly decoration materials.

2. Try to reduce the time you use your mobile phone and computer, and reduce the time you spend near microwave ovens and induction cookers.

3. Children and teenagers should try to avoid using mobile phones and not use computers for long periods of time.

4. Live a regular life and never stay up late.