Lymphoma of considerable size: Classifications, signs, therapies, and further details
Large cell lymphoma is an aggressive form of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL), and the two main types are diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) and anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL).
Diffuse Large B-cell Lymphoma (DLBCL)
DLBCL is the most common type of NHL and large cell lymphoma. Symptoms of DLBCL include painless, rapidly enlarging swollen lymph nodes often in the neck, armpit, groin, or abdomen, "B symptoms" such as fever, night sweats, and unexplained weight loss (experienced by about 1 in 3 people with DLBCL), fatigue and loss of appetite, and organ-specific symptoms depending on the involved organs.
Treatment options for DLBCL commonly include a standard chemotherapy regimen called R-CHOP, which consists of rituximab, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone, typically given in 6-8 cycles. Other treatment options may include radiation therapy, stem cell transplantation for relapsed or high-risk cases, and novel therapies such as CAR T-cell therapy or enrollment in clinical trials. Early and aggressive treatment improves outcomes, and many patients, even with advanced (stage 4) disease, can achieve remission and live several years post-diagnosis.
Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma (ALCL)
ALCL can occur in the skin, lymph nodes, or organs. Symptoms of ALCL include raised, discolored skin lesions, rash, swollen lymph nodes, fever, night sweats, unexplained weight loss, bloating, diarrhea, vomiting, shortness of breath, cough, pain or pressure in the chest, anemia, and thrombocytopenia. In rare cases, ALCL is linked to breast implants.
ALCL is treated with chemotherapy with CHOP, which consists of cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin hydrochloride, vincristine, and prednisolone. Sometimes, it includes etoposide. Researchers are also developing new treatments, such as immunotherapy with adoptive T-cell therapy, for people in high-risk groups who do not respond well to R-CHOP.
Diagnosis for both ALCL and DLBCL involves taking a biopsy and viewing the cells under a microscope. Additional tests that may be ordered include a blood test, CT scan, PET scan, MRI scan, and bone marrow biopsy. The exact causes of DLBCL and ALCL are not always clear.
It is essential to note that factors such as age, overall health, and disease progression can affect treatment success, and individual responses to treatments can vary. People with family members who have had lymphoma may carry an increased risk of large cell lymphoma.
Large cell lymphoma occurs in white blood cells called lymphocytes, which are part of the immune system. Children and young adults are more likely to have ALK-positive ALCL, whereas older people have a higher chance of developing ALK-negative ALCL. Both types are more common in males than in females.
Many people with large cell lymphoma make a full recovery, especially if they receive a diagnosis in the early stages, begin treatment right away, and respond well to it.
- A newly diagnosed case of lung cancer could potentially be a large cell lymphoma, specifically Diffuse Large B-cell Lymphoma (DLBCL), given its symptoms like painless, rapidly enlarging swollen lymph nodes.
- Science and medical advancements have led to the development of new treatments for cancerous health-and-wellness conditions, such as CAR T-cell therapy for those with Diffuse Large B-cell Lymphoma (DLBCL) who do not respond well to standard chemotherapy regimens.
- While Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma (ALCL) can occur in various organs, lung cancer patients should be aware that some forms of ALCL are linked to breast implants.
- In cases where patients with Large Cell Lymphoma do not respond well to conventional treatments like CHOP, they might benefit from innovative therapies in the field of health-and-wellness, such as immunotherapy with adoptive T-cell therapy.
