Hodgkin Lymphoma Treatment in India

Hodgkin Lymphoma

The lymphatic system in our body has a huge role to play in our immune system and the Hodgkin Lymphoma is a form of cancer that affects this system. The lymphocytes, also known as the WBCs (White Blood Cells) grow out of proportion resulting in swelling and abnormal growth of lymph nodes all through the body. Lymphoma is cancer that affects the lymphocytes or the immune-fighting cells in our body. It is classified as Hodgkin Lymphoma and non-Hodgkin Lymphoma. While both these categories hit the immune cells in the lymph nodes, the way they spread, behave, and the kind of lymphoma treatment they need is different. Hodgkin lymphoma treatment in India is dependent on the extent and spread of cancer and is decided by the doctor taking into account, several factors like age, health condition, pre-existing medical conditions, etc.

Where and how?

There are two types of lymphocytes in our bodies, B lymphocytes which produce antibodies to fight germs, and T lymphocytes to boost the immune system and destroy abnormal cells or germs in our body. Hodgkin’s Lymphoma starts in the B lymphocytes and can begin anywhere since the lymph tissues are found all over the body. The most commonplace occurrence is in the lymph nodes on the upper part of our body, under the arm, neck, or chest. There is no specific reason or cause as to how cancer begins in this case either. It is the result of a change in the DNA of the lymphocytes or the WBCs that is part of the immune system. These DNA changes cause irregular and abnormal growth of these cells as they reproduce without dying like normal cells. These extra cells cause swelling in the lymph nodes developing into Hodgkin lymphoma. We do not have specific information on the cause of these changes occurring in the DNA of these cells though. There are different types of Hodgkin lymphoma and depending on the characteristic, behavior, and type of Hodgkin lymphoma, the Hodgkin lymphoma treatment in India will vary.

Symptoms or signs

Swollen lymph nodes can happen anywhere in the body as the lymph system runs through the body. Some of the basic symptoms of Hodgkin Lymphoma include,

1. Lymph nodes swelling in the neck, armpit, or groin region.
2. Persisting fever and fatigue
3. Profuse sweating, especially during the night.
4. Weight loss without actually trying for it.
5. Itching feeling and lymph nodes aching after alcohol consumption.

If you have any of these symptoms or signs, then you should consult a doctor to see the possible course of Hodgkin lymphoma treatment in India.

Types of Hodgkin lymphoma

1. The most common type is classical Hodgkin Lymphoma where people have larger lymphoma cells and is further classified into:
   1. Lymphocyte-rich Hodgkin Lymphoma
   2. Lymphocyte-Depleted Hodgkin Lymphoma
   3. Mixed Cellularity Hodgkin Lymphoma
   4. Nodular Sclerosis Hodgkin Lymphoma.
2. Another rare type of Hodgkin Lymphoma is the Nodular lymphocyte-predominant Hodgkin lymphoma where the lymphoma cells resemble popcorn earning the name popcorn cells. It is diagnosed early and does not require intensive therapy like the classical one.

Depending on the type or classification, the Hodgkin lymphoma treatment in India will be decided upon.

Risk factors associated with Hodgkin Lymphoma

Some factors that can increase the chances of an individual getting Hodgkin Lymphoma:

• Age is a crucial factor as seen by studies, people in the age group between the 20s and 30s and those who are above 55 are at risk.
• If there is someone in the bloodline or family who has had a case of Hodgkin lymphoma.
• This lymphoma is more predominant in men than in the case of women.
• If the individual has had previous infections associated with the Epstein-Barr virus, then the chances of contracting Hodgkin Lymphoma are higher.
• People with HIV infections are also prone to contracting this type of cancer.

Hodgkin lymphoma treatment in India is prescribed after a thorough diagnosis of the patient through various means like,

1. A physical examination of the swollen nodes, swollen liver, or spleen.
2. Test results from blood and imaging tests like PET or X-ray.
3. Biopsy to remove a lymph node to check the type of cancer.
4. Bone marrow biopsy or bone marrow aspiration to check for a sample to analyze.

Hodgkin lymphoma treatment in India

The type of cancer, the stage of cancer, the health of the patient, and various other factors are taken into consideration before drafting a treatment plan. Some of the commonly used therapies or treatments include,

1. Using drugs to kill lymphoma cells under the Chemotherapy where the drug is injected into the system through pills or IV, as is advised by the doctor. Sometimes, depending on the advancement of the disease, only this treatment is required to remove the lymphoma cells completely.
2. Using beams of high energy like protons or X-rays is also used for killing cancerous cells and it is called radiation therapy. Radiation therapy will suffice for those who have this disease in the early stage.
3. Bone marrow transplant, where your healthy stem cells are removed, and then chemotherapy or radiation therapy is given to kill the cancerous cells. Once the cancer cells are killed, the healthy frozen cells are thawed and placed into your body to build a healthy bone marrow.
4. Other alternatives also include immunotherapy and targeted therapy and this is decided based on the behavior of cancer and your body’s response to other treatment options. The former is executed by improving your immunity and blocking cancer from getting proteins while the latter is used for targeting specific weaknesses of the cancer cells and killing them.

The objective of any Hodgkin lymphoma treatment in India is to destroy the cancerous cells or the lymphoma cells and reach the remission stage. You can find more about the treatment and therapies for Hodgkin lymphoma at the clinic. Connect to Tripo Heal for a consultation to know more about Hodgin lymphoma treatment in India. Get an appointment today!