Cancer and Healthy

Lymphoma is a term for cancer of the lymphatic system, including the spleen, lymph nodes, and lymphatic vessels. Hodgkin's disease is a form of lymphoma that typically affects young men under the age of 30. All other types of cancers lymphatic system, under the term nonHodgkin's lymphoma. The types of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma vary from non-aggressive (those that remain in the lymphatic system) to aggressive (which distributed, either rapidly or slowly, to other organs of the body). Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma usually affects men of 40 years and older.

When detected early, Hodgkin's disease is readily treatable and has a high cure rate. In fact, nearly 90 percent of all cases are curable. Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, although he is not so easy to cure, is often successfully treated.

The exact cause of lymphoma is unknown but the disease is suspected to have a hereditary component.

Signs and symptoms

Painless swelling of lymph nodes

Itching all over the body

Chronic or intermittent fever and chills

Fatigue and weakness

Appetite and weight loss

Cough and shortness of breath

The conventional medical treatment

If you suspect that you have a lymphoma, consult your doctor. For the diagnosis of the condition, your doctor gives you a thorough physical examination and blood and urine tests. If lymphoma is suspected, your doctor may prescribe a chest X-ray tomography, or scan of your abdomen A lymph node biopsy or bone marrow biopsy can be used to confirm the diagnosis.

Radiation is the most common avenue of treatment of Hodgkin's disease, if the cancer has spread widely, chemotherapy is often used. In cases of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, chemotherapy is the preferred treatment, but radiation is sometimes used. Surgery is seldom used as an option for the treatment of lymphoma. (See "The conventional medical treatment" in the "Bladder Cancer" for more information on radiation and chemotherapy.)

Complementary and alternative treatments

Traditional Chinese medicine

Acupunture Acupuncture can be very effective in clearing toxins from the lymphatic system and help manage the lymphoma-related pain and / or treatment related nausea.

This form of acupressure massage may be useful in draining lymph nodes of toxins and improving the flow of chi throughout the lympathic system.

Chinese Herbal Therapy Herbs can be used as tonics to repair damage that chemotherapy and radiation can impair the body's immune system. Immunity Popular adding herbs among other formulas, such as Rehmannia Six and Cerebral Tonic Pills, along with the added Angelica, Astragalus, Chinese yarn, codonopsis, cordyceps, ginseng, and Gotu Kola.