Fast-Growing Lymphomas
Cancer of the lymph system is divided into Hodgkin’s disease (HD) and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL). Of the two, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma is the more frequently occurring as approximately 90% of lymphomas are NHL. The disease can develop either as a slow-growing or an aggressive and fast-growing lymphoma, but each can be highly curable especially when detected and treated at an early stage.
Numerous factors are considered before developing a treatment plan for NHL. Along with evaluating the location, stage, and grade of the disease, doctors also review a patient’s health and medical history. Cancer specialists, including the physicians at the Cancer Center of Southern California, first conduct fact finding tests and evaluation of all variables before developing a personalized treatment plan.
Fast-Growing Lymphomas
Most cases of lymphomas develop in lymph nodes in the neck, chest, and abdomen, but the disease is also known to develop in the central nervous system and digestive tract. There are approximately 30 different types of NHL, which can be classified as slow-growing or aggressive (fast-growing). Either type may develop in an adult, but the fast-growing lymphomas tend to be more common in children. Most adult cases appear in patients aged 60 to 70 and individuals with an immune deficiency.
The most common type of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma is diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) which is one of the fast-growing lymphomas. About one-third of lymphoma patients are diagnosed with DLBCL. The disease typically develops as a fast growing mass that starts in lymph nodes deep in the body, such as the abdomen or chest, or near the surface in the armpit or neck. It can be localized or spread to other parts of the body.
Patients might notice symptoms early with DLBCL, which increases the chance of early detection and treatment. Chemotherapy is often used as the recommended solution because it is dispersed via the bloodstream to reach all parts of the body. The physicians at the Cancer Center of Southern California are among the most qualified practitioners of chemotherapy having dedicated their careers to the use of drug therapies as a cancer solution.
Contact Lymphoma Specialists
The doctors at the Cancer Center of Southern California are renowned for their expertise in medically advanced solutions through novel drug therapies, clinical trials and extensive experience. Call today at 310-552-9999 to schedule a consultation.
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