Symptoms, stages and treatment of lymph node cancer
Content:
- What is lymph node cancer?
- Lymph node cancer symptoms
- Causes of lymph node cancer
- Diagnosis of lymph node cancer
- Stages of lymph node cancer
- Lymph node cancer treatment
What is lymph node cancer?
Lymph node cancer is a type of oncological disease in which a malignant tumor forms in the lymph nodes and this system as a whole.
Types of lymph node cancer
It must be remembered that the concept of "cancer of the lymph nodes" implies and unites at least 30 specific types of tumor formations.
Define such main groups as:
-
Hodgkin's lymphoma, which accounts for approximately 25-35% of all lymphomas present. It is determined during examination by the presence of extremely large Ridge-Berezovsky-Shtrenberg tissues in the lymph nodes. Also called lymphogranulomatosis;
- Non-Hodgkin's lymphomas - this is the name of all other types of malignant lymphomas, which account for the remaining 65-75%. It is possible to determine the diagnosis only after examining the histological nature of all samples of cells and tissues of the formation.
The presence of malignant cells in the lymph nodes is a frequent complication of many cancers. Almost always, the main pathway is precisely lymphogenous or regional placement, and then more distant nodes are affected. This happens when cancer cells spread throughout the body. Very often, a tumor of a specific nature also begins to form in the lymph nodes.
Lymph node cancer symptoms
Symptoms of lymphogranulomatosis should be distinguished from non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. In the first case, the symptoms are diverse and are:
- a significant increase in lymph nodes in the neck and above the collarbone, much less often in the groin or armpits. Lymph nodes at the very beginning move easily and do not provoke any painful sensations, and after a certain period of time they can connect. As a result, they become very dense, possibly a change in the skin tone above them. With a similar plot of the onset of cancer, fever and symptoms of intoxication are not observed;
- an increase in the nodes of the mediastinum. There is a specific "dried" cough, shortness of breath, veins swell in the neck. Pain sensations form behind the sternum area, and venous networks are visible on it. This is a sign of a change in the size of the lymph nodes in the mediastinum, when they begin to press on the empty vein above;
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extremely rarely, oncology begins with an increase in those lymph nodes that are located near the aorta. In this case, the patient may be tormented by painful sensations in the lumbar region, which most often manifest themselves precisely at night.
There are patients in whom cancer "starts" in a rather acute form. Specific signs for such a development of the disease are:
- increased degree of sweating, a sharp increase in body temperature, a forced decrease in body index;
- a little later, the lymph nodes become much larger in size. This plot of the onset of the disease has an extremely pessimistic prognosis.
After a certain period of time, a stage of more characteristic and vivid manifestations from a clinical point of view begins. Patients present with obvious weakness, fever, and itching of the skin. Defeats from the outside become obvious:
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skin: in the region of the back, as well as limbs, foci of a dark or red shade of a round shape are formed, the size of which ranges from two to three millimeters. These are the first signs of the transition of a pathological process from the lymph nodes that were affected. It is explained by the fact that the formation is germinating;
- lymphatic system: the process of tumor formation most often extends only to some groups of lymph nodes. Lymph nodes in the mediastinum and cervical region, mesenteric (they are located in the abdominal region, it is with their help that a significant part of the intestine is attached to the back wall of the abdominal cavity) can be affected. Lymph nodes of the paracaval type (they are located behind the abdominal region next to the inferior vena cava) may also be affected;
- digestive organs: symptoms such as painful sensations in the epigastrium and the navel, a tendency to frequent belching, diarrhea are characteristic;
- kidneys: significant pain is formed in the lumbar region;
- respiratory organs: symptoms such as coughing, soreness in the sternum and frequent shortness of breath are formed;
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nervous system: frequent migraines, a feeling of dizziness, significant soreness in the legs, dysfunction of a sensitive and motor nature, depending on the nature and speed of formation of this process;
- bone tissue: most often painful sensations form in the sternum and lumbar spine;
- spleen: an increase in the presented organ is characteristic.
Symptoms of non-Hodgkin lymphomas
The primary manifestation should be considered:
- change in the size of peripheral lymph nodes;
- squeezing nearby vessels and organs;
- the lymph nodes do not provoke any pain, remain dense and do not combine with tissues and skin that are in relative proximity.
The so-called "Superior empty vein syndrome" can form, which is accompanied by:
- a change in the size of the veins in the neck;
- intestinal obstruction;
- jaundice;
- portal hypertension (high blood pressure).
The focus of an ailment of a primary nature can be located not only in the lymph nodes, but also in other tissues, as well as organs.
Causes of lymph node cancer
There are many factors that increase the likelihood of developing lymph node cancer:
- Age category - two peaks were identified depending on age, that is, such periods when the risk of lymphoma formation is highest. The first of them is in the interval from 15 to 30 years, the next one starts from 50 and gradually rises;
- Belonging to a particular race. So, it has been proven that those who belong to the Caucasian race are much more likely to get cancer of the lymph nodes. The highest risk is for people with fair skin;
- Diseases and dysfunctions in the immune system as a whole;
- The first pregnancy, which occurred after the age of 35;
- Genetic predisposition to oncological diseases. That is, the presence of relatives of the primary line who have been diagnosed with cancer of the lymph nodes significantly increases the likelihood of the formation of an ailment;
- Certain diseases of the bacterial or viral type. HIV, Epstein-Bar virus and specific bacteria are particularly dangerous in this respect;
- The probability is greatly increased by substances of a carcinogenic type and some factors, for example, active and bright radiation.
See also: Other Cancer Causes and Risk Factors
Features of metastases in lymph node cancer
Even primary metastasis in cancer of the lymph nodes is noticeable even with the naked eye. It represents an obvious enlargement of the lymph nodes, which can also be felt with the help of palpation. Most often, these nodes, which are subject to external inspection, are located at different levels. We are talking about the cervical region, the area above the collarbones, armpits and lymph nodes located in the groin area. In a normal state of health, absolutely all nodes should not bring any painful sensations, and they should not be felt.
The next manifestations of the presence of a tumor of a malignant nature should be considered a significant loss of body weight, constant general weakness and rapid fatigue. When carrying out certain diagnostic or laboratory examinations, anemia is detected, which is either in the second or third stage. Numerous malignancies in the lymph nodes indicate that the cancer is progressing very rapidly.
If you identify enlarged lymph nodes, you should contact a specialist as soon as possible who will provide qualified medical care. Self-medication is prohibited.
Diagnosis of lymph node cancer
If you have symptoms or risk factors, as well as to improve overall quality of life, it is imperative to undergo certain tests. They will help dispel all doubts or, conversely, determine the stage of lymph node cancer.
You should start with a survey, which becomes the basis for any survey. Any complaints, obvious and vivid manifestations, suffered earlier or existing ailments today, genetic predisposition - all this will give the specialist the necessary information base for successful treatment.
Further, a total examination is carried out, which is a palpation of the most important lymph nodes. This method should be considered a simple and, at the same time, the most informative test.
It is also necessary to carry out ultrasound diagnostics, which is the optimal method for studying the structure of such nodes that arouse suspicion in a specialist. Further, there may be a need for an MRI or CT scan. These methods are certainly much more accurate, but expensive, and therefore less available.
Another fundamental diagnostic method is biopsy. It is really important in the treatment of cancer. With the help of the thinnest needle, which is specially designed for puncture, the specialist receives an insignificant piece of the malignant formation to study the cell type of its structure. So the specialist will be able to determine which type of malignant tumor belongs to. It is on this that not only the probable prognosis depends, but also the method of treating lymph node cancer.
Stages of lymph node cancer
Depending on how much the disease has spread, four stages are determined. At the same time, the degree of affection of zones of the lymphatic type and similar organs is noted, on the basis of which the stage is diagnosed.
- With cancer of the lymph nodes of the first stage, the nodes are damaged from any one region (for example, the cervical region) or one organ outside the presented system.
- If we talk about the next stage, or cancer of the second degree, then it is characterized by damage to the lymph nodes from two or even more zones on one side of the diaphragm or one organ outside the lymphatic system.
- The third stage, or cancer of the lymph nodes of the third degree, is characterized by total damage to the diaphragm, which occurs with the defeat of one organ outside the lymphatic system or an entire area, as well as the spleen. Sometimes all these manifestations can be observed at the same time.
Stage 4 lymph node cancer
The fourth stage should be noted separately. It occurs with damage to one or more tissues outside the lymphatic system or organs. In this case, the lymph nodes may be involved in the process of a pathological nature, or they may not be affected. It depends solely on the individual characteristics of the organism.
Lymphoma, detected at the fourth stage, suggests that the disease has already "climbed" very far. In particular, this stage is characterized by:
- a steadily growing lesion with placement in the area of bone tissue, lungs, liver, pancreas, the brain can also be affected;
- rapidly progressing malignant formations;
- inoperable bone cancer;
- extremely fatal formations of a cancerous nature (for example, cancer of the lung, pancreas, myeloma, squamous cell carcinoma, skin cancer and many other forms of oncology).
In this regard, the probability of recovery in the fourth and third stages is not as great as in the first and second stages.
Lymph node cancer treatment
According to the latest data, the process of treating the presented ailment should be considered extremely successful. In 70-83% of patients, we are talking about a five-year remission. The number of relapses on average ranges from 30 to 35%. It depends on how early the treatment was started and what methods were used, as well as on the age of the patient.
The process of cancer of the lymph nodes is in direct proportion to a significant number of factors: the location of the tumor, size, stage, satellite diseases, the presence of metastases and in which organs they are located. In the vast majority of cases, the specialist combines the usual methods of treatment, which include one or more courses of chemotherapy. It can well be used both independently and together with radiation therapy, as well as before or after surgery.
- Chemotherapy is a universal method of treating this ailment, which makes it possible to stop the growth of tumor formation, partially reduce its size, and also destroy certain cancerous growths.
- Another common method is radiation therapy. Such a course can last from several weeks to a whole month. Most often, it is radiation therapy that is prescribed after the lymph nodes have been removed.
- Surgical treatment is perhaps the most effective method. It is a total removal of the lymph nodes that are affected. To reduce the likelihood of recurrence of the disease, resection of several regional-type nodes is performed simultaneously with this operation.
- Much more advanced methods of treating lymph node cancer have also been developed, for example, bone marrow transplantation of a patient or a donor. Such therapy is a guarantee of a fairly optimistic prognosis, especially if you contact a specialist in the early stages. In this regard, it is necessary to pay special attention to any changes in one's own condition, and, if possible, carry out diagnostic examinations as often as possible.
This will make it possible to find a malignant formation exactly when it is quite possible to cope with it without significant damage to health.
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The author of the article: Bykov Evgeny Pavlovich | Oncologist, surgeon
Education: graduated from residency at the Russian Scientific Oncological Center. N. N. Blokhin "and received a diploma in the specialty" Oncologist"
