LEUKEMIA

Leukemia begins in a cell in the bone marrow. The cell undergoes a change and becomes a type of leukemia cell. Once the marrow cell undergoes a leukemic change, the leukemia cells may grow and survive better than normal cells. Over time, the leukemia cells crowd out or suppress the development of normal cells. The rate at which leukemia progresses and how the cells replace the normal blood and marrow cells are different with each type of leukemia.

After diagnosis and treatment, many people with leukemia live many good, quality years. You may find that knowing more about the disease and its treatment can help you cope.

LYMPHOMA

Lymphoma is a cancer that starts off in cells of the lymph system. The lymph system is a part of the immune system which helps the body fight infection and disease because lymph tissue is found all over the body and lymphoma can begin almost anywhere in the body.

There are two types of lymphoma they are Hodgkin lymphoma and non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). These can occur in both children and adults. Most people with Hodgkin lymphoma have large, abnormal lymphocytes in the lymph nodes called Reed-Sternberg cells. Hodgkin lymphoma can be cured.

There are different types of NHL that form from different types of white blood cells such as B-cells, T-cells, NK cells, Most types of NHL form from the B-cells. NHL may be indolent or aggressive. The most common types of NHL in adults are diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, which is usually aggressive, and follicular lymphoma, which is usually indolent. Primary central nervous system lymphoma is a rare type of NHL that starts in white blood cells in the spinal cord, brain or eye. The treatment and the chance of a cure depend on the stage and the type of lymphoma.

Symptoms that can be experienced by people with lymphoma are swelling in legs or ankles, Cramping in the abdomen, Bloating of the abdomen, Night sweats, fever, Weight loss, loss of appetite, Chills, Unusual itching,  Fatigue, Pain or altered sensation, Unusual tiredness, lack of energy, Persistent coughing, Breathlessness, Enlarged tonsils, Headache.

Test and Diagnosis:

The doctor will look for swollen lymph nodes in a number of areas they are Chin, Neck, Tonsils, Groin, Axillae (armpit), Shoulders and Elbows.