August 15, 2025 • 16 mins
The word lymphoma can be intimidating—but knowledge changes everything. In this episode of The Health Pulse, we break down this complex blood cancer into clear, actionable insights to help you recognize symptoms early, understand diagnostic steps, and navigate treatment options with confidence.
You’ll learn how lymphoma develops when lymphocytes, the immune system’s white blood cells, undergo genetic changes and grow uncontrollably. We explain the key differences between Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin lymphoma, why some aggressive forms are more responsive to treatment, and the common but often-overlooked symptoms—like persistent swollen lymph nodes, night sweats, fevers, and unexplained weight loss—that can lead to earlier diagnosis.
We also explore the personalized nature of lymphoma treatment, from watch-and-wait approaches for slow-growing types to chemotherapy, immunotherapy, radiation, targeted drugs, and stem cell transplants for more aggressive forms. Plus, we highlight how ongoing lab testing plays a critical role in monitoring treatment response and spotting relapse early.
If you or someone you love has concerns about lymphoma, this episode offers clarity, hope, and a roadmap for taking informed action.
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📅 Book your appointment or learn more at:
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💬 Enjoyed the episode? Leave us a review and let us know what topics you'd like us to cover next! Your feedback helps us bring you the content that matters most.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. The content discussed is based on research, expert insights, and reputable sources, but it does not replace professional medical consultation, diagnosis, or treatment. We strive to present accurate and up-to-date information, medical research is constantly evolving. Listeners should always verify details with trusted health organizations, before making any health-related decisions. If you are experiencing a medical emergency, such as severe pain, difficulty breathing, or other urgent symptoms, call your local emergency services immediately. By listening to this podcast, you acknowledge that The Health Pulse and its creators are not responsible for any actions taken based on the content of this episode. Your health and well-being should always be guided by the advice of qualified medical professionals.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:01):
Welcome to the Health Pulse, your go-to source for
quick, actionable insights onhealth, wellness and diagnostics
.
Whether you're looking tooptimize your well-being or stay
informed about the latest inmedical testing, we've got you
covered.
Join us as we break down keyhealth topics in just minutes.
Let's dive in.
Speaker 2 (00:30):
You know, when it comes to your health, really
being well-informed, even aboutstuff that sounds super complex
at first, it's maybe one of themost empowering things you can
do.
Today we're diving deep intolymphoma.
Now yeah, that word.
It can sound pretty serious,and it is.
It's a type of blood cancerstarting in the lymphatic system
, but here's the reallyimportant part, and it is.
It's a type of blood cancerstarting in the lymphatic system
, but here's the reallyimportant part and it's good
news.
With timely diagnosis and thetreatments we have now, many
(00:52):
kinds of lymphoma are actuallyhighly treatable.
Often they're even curable.
Speaker 3 (00:56):
That's such a vital point to make right at the start
.
Our mission today really is tounpack what lymphoma is all
about.
We want to explore thedifferent types, highlight the
signs you, should you know,really watch for, demystify how
it's diagnosed and, crucially,shed light on the huge role lab
testing plays, not just forfinding it, but for your ongoing
care too.
Speaker 2 (01:15):
Exactly.
We're aiming to cut through allthe medical jargon, get
straight to the nuggets ofknowledge.
You really need to understandthis, so let's dig in.
Okay, so let's flip it back.
What is lymphoma fundamentally?
You mentioned the lymphaticsystem, this kind of internal
defense network the body has.
It's this whole network, rightVessels, nodes, organs like the
spleen.
Can you maybe paint a picturefor us?
(01:35):
How does it normally protect usand then where does lymphoma
fit in?
Or rather, mess things up?
Speaker 3 (01:40):
Yeah, absolutely Well , it's fascinating because the
system designed to protect youis where lymphoma actually
starts, basically certain whiteblood cells, specifically
lymphocytes key immune cells.
They undergo some geneticchanges and instead of fighting
infection like they should, theystart multiplying like crazy,
completely out of control.
These abnormal cells then crowdout the healthy ones.
(02:01):
They often form tumors in thelymph nodes, but they can show
up in other tissues too.
Speaker 2 (02:05):
Right, so it's a cancer of these specific immune
cells.
Does it look the same ineveryone, or are there different
categories?
I think most people have heardof Hodgkin lymphoma and
non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
What's the real differencebetween them?
Speaker 3 (02:16):
That's a great question.
The distinction is or well it'sfundamental Hodgkin lymphoma or
HL.
Its defining feature is thepresence of these very specific
abnormal cells they're calledReed-Sternberg cells.
Now, hl is actually less commonthan the other type non-Hodgkin
lymphoma, and the encouragingthing is HL often responds
really well to treatment,particularly if it's caught
(02:38):
early.
Speaker 2 (02:39):
Okay, so HL has those specific cells.
What about non-Hodgkin?
Speaker 3 (02:45):
Right.
Non-hodgkin lymphoma, nhl.
That's a much broader category.
I mean, we're talking dozensand dozens of subtypes under
that umbrella, and thesesubtypes can vary dramatically.
Some are very slow-growingDoctors might call them indolent
.
Others are really aggressive,fast-growing types.
Speaker 2 (02:57):
You know, here's something that I find really
interesting, almost paradoxical,about lymphoma Take diffuse
large B-cell lymphoma D.
About lymphoma Take diffuselarge B-cell lymphoma DLBCL.
It's the most common aggressiveNHL subtype.
It can pop up fast, spreadquickly but kind of
counterintuitively because itgrows so fast.
It's actually one of the mostresponsive to treatment if it's
diagnosed promptly.
It really shows how aggressivedoesn't always mean untreatable,
(03:19):
right.
Speaker 3 (03:20):
That paradox you mentioned with DLBCL.
It perfectly highlights acritical point no-transcript.
Speaker 2 (03:46):
We probably don't need every single name, but how
detailed does it get?
Speaker 3 (03:49):
Precisely.
Even within HAL there are soaptypes, things like nodular
sclerosis, mixed cellularity thenames aren't the main thing for
listeners.
The key takeaway is thatdoctors identify exactly which
one it is.
That helps refine the treatment.
But the good news generallyspeaking, for Hodgkin lymphoma
(04:11):
the outlook is usually quitegood, especially with early
detection and standardtreatments like chemo and
radiation Right, and then backto non-Hodgkin lymphoma, that
really wide spectrum youmentioned indolent versus
aggressive.
Speaker 2 (04:19):
Can you give us maybe just a couple more common
examples, just so we can get aclearer feel for that diversity
you're talking about?
Speaker 3 (04:24):
Sure, certainly so.
Besides DLBCL, which we said isthe most common aggressive one
about 30, 40% of cases in the USoften curable if treated fast,
you also have things likefollicular lymphoma.
That's a classic example of aslower growing indolent type.
Sometimes it's just watchedclosely for a while, but it's
important to know it can change,transform into a more
aggressive type later on Okay,so follicular is slower.
Speaker 2 (04:46):
What else?
Speaker 3 (04:47):
Then there's mantle cell lymphoma.
It's less common and often morechallenging to treat.
Frequently it's found in a moreadvanced stage already.
And maybe one more starkexample Burkitt lymphoma.
This one is known as one of thefastest growing human tumors.
It requires really intensivechemotherapy quickly.
Speaker 2 (05:06):
Wow.
That really covers a huge rangefrom watch and wait to
extremely fast growing.
It definitely raises thatimportant question again Given
how differently these subtypesbehave, how critical is getting
that precise diagnosis throughthe biopsy and specialized tests
.
It really sounds like justknowing it's lymphoma isn't
nearly enough.
You absolutely know which one.
Speaker 3 (05:26):
It's absolutely critical.
You've hit the nail on the headand part of the challenge here.
One of the tricky things aboutlymphoma is that it can often be
hard to spot early on.
Why?
Because its symptoms frequentlylook like well much less
serious things common colds, theflu just being run down and
that, unfortunately, can lead todelays in getting the right
diagnosis.
Speaker 2 (05:44):
That's a huge point.
So OK, for everyone listening.
What are the common symptoms,the things that should make you
think, hmm, maybe I should getthis checked out.
What should we be looking for?
Speaker 3 (05:54):
Right, it's about awareness.
The key is noticing persistentor unexplained changes.
Especially if you have severalsymptoms together, that should
always prompt a visit to thedoctor.
Often the first thing peoplenotice is painless swelling of
lymph nodes, you know, in theneck, armpit or groin.
(06:16):
But other things too Anunexplained fever, that kind of
comes and goes, night sweats,and we're talking severe ones,
maybe enough to soak yourpajamas or sheets.
Unintentional weight loss isanother flag losing more than 10
percent of your body weight inabout six months without trying.
Speaker 2 (06:26):
OK, Swelling fever sweats, weight loss, what else?
Speaker 3 (06:30):
Also persistent fatigue, the kind that just
doesn't get better, no matterhow much you rest.
Sometimes itching or skinrashes can occur without any
obvious cause, and because yourimmune system is affected, you
might find you're gettingfrequent infections or
recovering really slowly.
Oh, and sometimes, if theswollen lymph nodes are inside
your body, pressing on organs,you might get symptoms like
(06:52):
chest pain, a nagging cough ormaybe abdominal swelling or pain
.
Speaker 2 (06:56):
Listening to that list, it really drives home how
important it is to be, you know,an active participant in your
own health, Not just waiting fora diagnosis, but being aware
enough to even start thatconversation with your doctor.
Okay, so moving on fromsymptoms we know the exact cause
isn't always clear, but arethere known risk factors, things
that might make someone moresusceptible to developing
lymphoma?
Speaker 3 (07:16):
There definitely are known factors, although, it's
important to say, we don't fullyunderstand why one person gets
it and another doesn't, evenwith the same risks.
But yes, factors include age.
It's generally more common inolder adults, but it really can
develop at any age.
Gender plays a slight role.
Some subtypes are a bit morecommon in older adults, but it
really can develop at any age.
Gender plays a slight role.
Some subtypes are a bit morecommon in men, others in women.
Having a weakened immune systemis a significant one.
(07:37):
This could be due to HIV, ormaybe from medications after an
organ transplant or long-termuse of immunosuppressants for
other conditions.
Speaker 2 (07:46):
Age, gender immune system.
What about infections?
Or family history?
Speaker 3 (07:51):
Yes, certain chronic infections have been linked to
specific lymphoma types, thingslike the Epstein-Barr virus, ebv
, htlv-1, hepatitis C.
A family history having a closerelative, like a parent or
sibling, with lymphoma doesslightly increase the risk.
Also, certain autoimmunedisorders like rheumatoid
arthritis, lupus or celiacdisease are associated with a
(08:11):
higher risk.
And finally, there's someevidence linking long-term
environmental exposure to thingslike certain pesticides,
herbicides or industrialsolvents.
Speaker 2 (08:19):
Right, and this is a really crucial point, isn't it?
Many, many people have one oreven several of these risk
factors and they never developlymphoma.
And, on the flip side, somepeople get diagnosed with
absolutely no known risk factors.
So knowing the risks is helpfulcontext, but it's not destiny.
Regular checkups and gettingthose persistent symptoms
(08:40):
checked out that's still thebest approach.
Speaker 3 (08:42):
Absolutely.
That's the key message Now.
When it comes to actuallydiagnosing lymphoma, it's
usually a multi-step process.
It involves the clinicalevaluation of what the doctor
finds, plus imaging tests anddefinitely laboratory analysis,
and because those initialsymptoms can be so vague, like
we said, often the first part ofthe journey is actually ruling
out other potential causes.
Speaker 2 (09:02):
Okay, so how does that diagnostic journey
typically start?
What are the first things adoctor would do if they suspect
lymphoma?
Speaker 3 (09:08):
Well, it usually begins with a thorough physical
examination.
The doctor will carefully checkfor any swollen lymph nodes,
feeling the neck, armpits groin.
They'll also check if yourspleen or liver feels enlarged.
After that, imaging testsusually come next, things like
CT scans or PE scans.
These help see the size andlocation of any affected lymph
(09:29):
nodes and, importantly, whetherthe disease might have spread
elsewhere.
Sometimes an MRI scan might beused too, especially if there's
a concern about the brain orspinal cord being involved.
Speaker 2 (09:38):
Okay, Physical exam, imaging and then comes the
definitive test right, what youcalled the gold standard earlier
, the lymph node biopsy.
Can you walk us through whatthat actually involves and why
it's so essential?
Speaker 3 (09:49):
You got it.
The biopsy is the crucial stepfor confirmation.
It involves a surgeon removingeither a part of a suspicious
lymph node or sometimes thewhole node.
That tissue then goes to apathologist, a specialist doctor
, who examines it very closelyunder a microscope.
This is how they can say forsure, yes, this is lymphoma.
And, just as importantly,identify the specific type and
(10:11):
subtype.
That information is absolutelyvital for planning treatment.
It really is the moment oftruth.
Speaker 2 (10:17):
And working alongside that biopsy, there are the
laboratory tests, the blood work.
These sound like they provide awhole dashboard of information
about what's going on, like thecomplete blood count, the CBC
that checks red cells, whitecells, platelets, right.
Speaker 3 (10:30):
Exactly.
The CBC gives a baseline lookat your blood counts, checking
for things like anemia or lowwhite cells or platelets, which
can happen with lymphoma.
Then there are other importantmarkers lactate dehydrogenase or
LDH.
It's an enzyme and higherlevels can sometimes indicate
more aggressive disease or alarger amount of lymphoma in the
body.
Speaker 2 (10:49):
Okay, ldh.
What else do they look for inblood tests?
Speaker 3 (10:52):
They often check inflammation markers like the
erythrocyte sedimentation rate,esr, and C-reactive protein, crp
.
These are general signs ofinflammation, and another one is
beta-2 microglobulin.
Elevated levels of this proteincan also give doctors
information about the stage ofthe lymphoma and the likely
prognosis.
Speaker 2 (11:10):
So a whole panel of tests working together.
Speaker 3 (11:17):
Precisely, and it's really vital to understand.
These tests aren't just aone-off thing at diagnosis.
They get repeated regularlythroughout treatment and
follow-up.
They're crucial for monitoringhow well the treatment is
working, checking for sideeffects and detecting any early
signs if the lymphoma were tocome back.
They're a constant source ofinformation for the care team.
Speaker 2 (11:32):
That makes sense.
It's like checking the gaugesconstantly.
Speaker 3 (11:34):
Exactly Now, when it comes to treatment, the plan is
incredibly personalized.
It really depends on so manyfactors the specific type of
lymphoma, obviously, how far itspread the stage, how quickly
it's growing and, of course, thepatient's overall health and
preferences.
It's quite interesting, youknow some of those very
(11:56):
slow-growing indolent lymphomas.
Sometimes the best approach, atleast initially, is just watch
and wait, close monitoring,without immediate active
treatment, whereas theaggressive types, they need
immediate, often intensive,intervention.
Speaker 2 (12:04):
Right.
So it's definitely not a singlepath.
It's a tailored battle plan.
What are the main weapons, themain treatment options, doctors
use against lymphoma today?
Speaker 3 (12:11):
There's a pretty powerful arsenal now.
Thankfully, chemotherapy isoften a cornerstone.
It uses drugs, often incombinations, like the
well-known RTHOP regimen forDLBCL, to kill rapidly dividing
cells, which includes cancercells.
Then there's immunotherapy.
This is a really exciting area.
Treatments like rituximab,which is a type of drug called a
(12:32):
monoclonal antibody, aredesigned to target specific
proteins on the surface oflymphoma cells.
This helps your own immunesystem recognize and attack the
cancer cells more effectively.
Speaker 2 (12:42):
Chemo, immunotherapy, what else?
Speaker 3 (12:45):
Radiation therapy is another option.
It uses high-energy beams, kindof like focused x-rays, to kill
cancer cells in a specific area.
It's often used for early-stagelymphoma, sometimes combined
with chemo.
We also have targeted therapy.
These are newer drugs thatinterfere with specific
molecules or pathways thatcancer cells need to grow and
survive.
They're often more precise thantraditional chemo and sometimes
(13:05):
have fewer side effects.
Speaker 2 (13:06):
Okay, that covers quite a few approaches.
What about more intensiveoptions?
Speaker 3 (13:10):
For cases where the lymphoma comes back after
initial treatment lapsed ordoesn't respond well refractory,
a stem cell transplant might beconsidered.
This usually involves veryhigh-dose chemotherapy to wipe
out the lymphoma, followed by aninfusion of healthy stem cells,
either your own, collectedearlier, or from a donor, to
rebuild your bone marrow andimmune system.
(13:31):
And running alongside all ofthis active treatment is
supportive care.
That's incredibly important.
It focuses on managing symptoms, preventing infections, dealing
with side effects fromtreatment and just generally
maintaining the best possiblequality of life through
everything.
Speaker 2 (13:47):
It's really encouraging to hear about all
these different options.
Speaker 3 (13:49):
Absolutely, and if we connect this all back to the
bigger picture, it truly is astory of significant progress
and real hope.
Thanks to these advances thetargeted therapies, the
immunotherapies, better chemocombinations, better supportive
care many lymphomas today arehighly treatable and quite a few
are even curable, especially,as we keep saying, when they're
diagnosed early.
Speaker 2 (14:09):
That's fantastic news .
So, circling back to labtesting, it's clear it's not
just for that initial diagnosis.
It sounds absolutely essentialall the way through for
monitoring, treatment response,tracking, side effects, looking
for recurrence.
It really is like a lifelongpartner in managing this, isn't
it?
Speaker 3 (14:27):
It absolutely is.
Couldn't have said it better.
It really is like a lifelongpartner in managing this, isn't
it?
It absolutely is.
Couldn't have said it better.
Regular blood work lets thehealth care team keep tabs on so
many things.
They can check how your bonemarrow is handling chemotherapy.
They track those markers wetalked about, like LDH and
beta-2 microglobulin, asindicators of how much disease
activity there might be.
They monitor your immunefunction to help head off
(14:47):
infections.
And, crucially, these tests cansometimes pick up the very
earliest signs of a relapse,often before any symptoms
reappear.
That allows for quicker actionif needed.
Speaker 2 (14:56):
And thinking about the practical side for patients,
especially maybe older patientsor those juggling other health
issues, making that routine labtesting easy to access, easy to
keep up with, that seems reallykey for making sure care stays
consistent and effective.
Speaker 3 (15:09):
Definitely, Adherence to monitoring is crucial and
convenience plays a big role inthat.
Speaker 2 (15:14):
Okay.
So, as we wrap up this deepdive, I think the key takeaways
are pretty clear.
Lymphoma yes, it's complex,it's got many different forms,
but and this is the big take butwith more awareness, with
earlier detection and with theamazing modern treatments
available now, many, many peoplediagnosed with lymphoma go on
to live full, healthy lives.
Speaker 3 (15:35):
That's the crucial message.
It really comes down torecognizing those potential
signs your body might be sending, understanding the risk factors
, even if they don't guaranteeanything, and being consistent
with follow-up care, includingthat regular lab monitoring.
Those steps really empowerpatients and give them the best
chance for optimal outcomes.
Speaker 2 (15:51):
So what does all this mean for you?
Listening right now on your ownhealth journey?
Well, maybe consider this howdoes really understanding the
intricate workings of your ownbody, things like your lymphatic
system, the different waysdiseases like lymphoma can
behave, how does that empoweryou?
It's not just about spottingwarning signs, so that's vital.
It's also about being able toengage more proactively, more
(16:13):
confidently with your doctorsand your healthcare.
It helps turn that potentialanxiety about the unknown into
informed, positive action.
Speaker 1 (16:25):
Thanks for tuning into the Health Pulse.
If you found this episodehelpful, don't forget to
subscribe and share it withsomeone who might benefit.
For more health insights anddiagnostics, visit us online at
wwwquicklabmobilecom.
Stay informed, stay healthy andwe'll catch you in the next
episode.
Welcome to the Health Pulse, your go-to source for
quick, actionable insights onhealth, wellness and diagnostics
.
Whether you're looking tooptimize your well-being or stay
informed about the latest inmedical testing, we've got you
covered.
Join us as we break down keyhealth topics in just minutes.
Let's dive in.
Speaker 2 (00:30):
You know, when it comes to your health, really
being well-informed, even aboutstuff that sounds super complex
at first, it's maybe one of themost empowering things you can
do.
Today we're diving deep intolymphoma.
Now yeah, that word.
It can sound pretty serious,and it is.
It's a type of blood cancerstarting in the lymphatic system
, but here's the reallyimportant part, and it is.
It's a type of blood cancerstarting in the lymphatic system
, but here's the reallyimportant part and it's good
news.
With timely diagnosis and thetreatments we have now, many
(00:52):
kinds of lymphoma are actuallyhighly treatable.
Often they're even curable.
Speaker 3 (00:56):
That's such a vital point to make right at the start
.
Our mission today really is tounpack what lymphoma is all
about.
We want to explore thedifferent types, highlight the
signs you, should you know,really watch for, demystify how
it's diagnosed and, crucially,shed light on the huge role lab
testing plays, not just forfinding it, but for your ongoing
care too.
Speaker 2 (01:15):
Exactly.
We're aiming to cut through allthe medical jargon, get
straight to the nuggets ofknowledge.
You really need to understandthis, so let's dig in.
Okay, so let's flip it back.
What is lymphoma fundamentally?
You mentioned the lymphaticsystem, this kind of internal
defense network the body has.
It's this whole network, rightVessels, nodes, organs like the
spleen.
Can you maybe paint a picturefor us?
(01:35):
How does it normally protect usand then where does lymphoma
fit in?
Or rather, mess things up?
Speaker 3 (01:40):
Yeah, absolutely Well , it's fascinating because the
system designed to protect youis where lymphoma actually
starts, basically certain whiteblood cells, specifically
lymphocytes key immune cells.
They undergo some geneticchanges and instead of fighting
infection like they should, theystart multiplying like crazy,
completely out of control.
These abnormal cells then crowdout the healthy ones.
(02:01):
They often form tumors in thelymph nodes, but they can show
up in other tissues too.
Speaker 2 (02:05):
Right, so it's a cancer of these specific immune
cells.
Does it look the same ineveryone, or are there different
categories?
I think most people have heardof Hodgkin lymphoma and
non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
What's the real differencebetween them?
Speaker 3 (02:16):
That's a great question.
The distinction is or well it'sfundamental Hodgkin lymphoma or
HL.
Its defining feature is thepresence of these very specific
abnormal cells they're calledReed-Sternberg cells.
Now, hl is actually less commonthan the other type non-Hodgkin
lymphoma, and the encouragingthing is HL often responds
really well to treatment,particularly if it's caught
(02:38):
early.
Speaker 2 (02:39):
Okay, so HL has those specific cells.
What about non-Hodgkin?
Speaker 3 (02:45):
Right.
Non-hodgkin lymphoma, nhl.
That's a much broader category.
I mean, we're talking dozensand dozens of subtypes under
that umbrella, and thesesubtypes can vary dramatically.
Some are very slow-growingDoctors might call them indolent
.
Others are really aggressive,fast-growing types.
Speaker 2 (02:57):
You know, here's something that I find really
interesting, almost paradoxical,about lymphoma Take diffuse
large B-cell lymphoma D.
About lymphoma Take diffuselarge B-cell lymphoma DLBCL.
It's the most common aggressiveNHL subtype.
It can pop up fast, spreadquickly but kind of
counterintuitively because itgrows so fast.
It's actually one of the mostresponsive to treatment if it's
diagnosed promptly.
It really shows how aggressivedoesn't always mean untreatable,
(03:19):
right.
Speaker 3 (03:20):
That paradox you mentioned with DLBCL.
It perfectly highlights acritical point no-transcript.
Speaker 2 (03:46):
We probably don't need every single name, but how
detailed does it get?
Speaker 3 (03:49):
Precisely.
Even within HAL there are soaptypes, things like nodular
sclerosis, mixed cellularity thenames aren't the main thing for
listeners.
The key takeaway is thatdoctors identify exactly which
one it is.
That helps refine the treatment.
But the good news generallyspeaking, for Hodgkin lymphoma
(04:11):
the outlook is usually quitegood, especially with early
detection and standardtreatments like chemo and
radiation Right, and then backto non-Hodgkin lymphoma, that
really wide spectrum youmentioned indolent versus
aggressive.
Speaker 2 (04:19):
Can you give us maybe just a couple more common
examples, just so we can get aclearer feel for that diversity
you're talking about?
Speaker 3 (04:24):
Sure, certainly so.
Besides DLBCL, which we said isthe most common aggressive one
about 30, 40% of cases in the USoften curable if treated fast,
you also have things likefollicular lymphoma.
That's a classic example of aslower growing indolent type.
Sometimes it's just watchedclosely for a while, but it's
important to know it can change,transform into a more
aggressive type later on Okay,so follicular is slower.
Speaker 2 (04:46):
What else?
Speaker 3 (04:47):
Then there's mantle cell lymphoma.
It's less common and often morechallenging to treat.
Frequently it's found in a moreadvanced stage already.
And maybe one more starkexample Burkitt lymphoma.
This one is known as one of thefastest growing human tumors.
It requires really intensivechemotherapy quickly.
Speaker 2 (05:06):
Wow.
That really covers a huge rangefrom watch and wait to
extremely fast growing.
It definitely raises thatimportant question again Given
how differently these subtypesbehave, how critical is getting
that precise diagnosis throughthe biopsy and specialized tests
.
It really sounds like justknowing it's lymphoma isn't
nearly enough.
You absolutely know which one.
Speaker 3 (05:26):
It's absolutely critical.
You've hit the nail on the headand part of the challenge here.
One of the tricky things aboutlymphoma is that it can often be
hard to spot early on.
Why?
Because its symptoms frequentlylook like well much less
serious things common colds, theflu just being run down and
that, unfortunately, can lead todelays in getting the right
diagnosis.
Speaker 2 (05:44):
That's a huge point.
So OK, for everyone listening.
What are the common symptoms,the things that should make you
think, hmm, maybe I should getthis checked out.
What should we be looking for?
Speaker 3 (05:54):
Right, it's about awareness.
The key is noticing persistentor unexplained changes.
Especially if you have severalsymptoms together, that should
always prompt a visit to thedoctor.
Often the first thing peoplenotice is painless swelling of
lymph nodes, you know, in theneck, armpit or groin.
(06:16):
But other things too Anunexplained fever, that kind of
comes and goes, night sweats,and we're talking severe ones,
maybe enough to soak yourpajamas or sheets.
Unintentional weight loss isanother flag losing more than 10
percent of your body weight inabout six months without trying.
Speaker 2 (06:26):
OK, Swelling fever sweats, weight loss, what else?
Speaker 3 (06:30):
Also persistent fatigue, the kind that just
doesn't get better, no matterhow much you rest.
Sometimes itching or skinrashes can occur without any
obvious cause, and because yourimmune system is affected, you
might find you're gettingfrequent infections or
recovering really slowly.
Oh, and sometimes, if theswollen lymph nodes are inside
your body, pressing on organs,you might get symptoms like
(06:52):
chest pain, a nagging cough ormaybe abdominal swelling or pain
.
Speaker 2 (06:56):
Listening to that list, it really drives home how
important it is to be, you know,an active participant in your
own health, Not just waiting fora diagnosis, but being aware
enough to even start thatconversation with your doctor.
Okay, so moving on fromsymptoms we know the exact cause
isn't always clear, but arethere known risk factors, things
that might make someone moresusceptible to developing
lymphoma?
Speaker 3 (07:16):
There definitely are known factors, although, it's
important to say, we don't fullyunderstand why one person gets
it and another doesn't, evenwith the same risks.
But yes, factors include age.
It's generally more common inolder adults, but it really can
develop at any age.
Gender plays a slight role.
Some subtypes are a bit morecommon in older adults, but it
really can develop at any age.
Gender plays a slight role.
Some subtypes are a bit morecommon in men, others in women.
Having a weakened immune systemis a significant one.
(07:37):
This could be due to HIV, ormaybe from medications after an
organ transplant or long-termuse of immunosuppressants for
other conditions.
Speaker 2 (07:46):
Age, gender immune system.
What about infections?
Or family history?
Speaker 3 (07:51):
Yes, certain chronic infections have been linked to
specific lymphoma types, thingslike the Epstein-Barr virus, ebv
, htlv-1, hepatitis C.
A family history having a closerelative, like a parent or
sibling, with lymphoma doesslightly increase the risk.
Also, certain autoimmunedisorders like rheumatoid
arthritis, lupus or celiacdisease are associated with a
(08:11):
higher risk.
And finally, there's someevidence linking long-term
environmental exposure to thingslike certain pesticides,
herbicides or industrialsolvents.
Speaker 2 (08:19):
Right, and this is a really crucial point, isn't it?
Many, many people have one oreven several of these risk
factors and they never developlymphoma.
And, on the flip side, somepeople get diagnosed with
absolutely no known risk factors.
So knowing the risks is helpfulcontext, but it's not destiny.
Regular checkups and gettingthose persistent symptoms
(08:40):
checked out that's still thebest approach.
Speaker 3 (08:42):
Absolutely.
That's the key message Now.
When it comes to actuallydiagnosing lymphoma, it's
usually a multi-step process.
It involves the clinicalevaluation of what the doctor
finds, plus imaging tests anddefinitely laboratory analysis,
and because those initialsymptoms can be so vague, like
we said, often the first part ofthe journey is actually ruling
out other potential causes.
Speaker 2 (09:02):
Okay, so how does that diagnostic journey
typically start?
What are the first things adoctor would do if they suspect
lymphoma?
Speaker 3 (09:08):
Well, it usually begins with a thorough physical
examination.
The doctor will carefully checkfor any swollen lymph nodes,
feeling the neck, armpits groin.
They'll also check if yourspleen or liver feels enlarged.
After that, imaging testsusually come next, things like
CT scans or PE scans.
These help see the size andlocation of any affected lymph
(09:29):
nodes and, importantly, whetherthe disease might have spread
elsewhere.
Sometimes an MRI scan might beused too, especially if there's
a concern about the brain orspinal cord being involved.
Speaker 2 (09:38):
Okay, Physical exam, imaging and then comes the
definitive test right, what youcalled the gold standard earlier
, the lymph node biopsy.
Can you walk us through whatthat actually involves and why
it's so essential?
Speaker 3 (09:49):
You got it.
The biopsy is the crucial stepfor confirmation.
It involves a surgeon removingeither a part of a suspicious
lymph node or sometimes thewhole node.
That tissue then goes to apathologist, a specialist doctor
, who examines it very closelyunder a microscope.
This is how they can say forsure, yes, this is lymphoma.
And, just as importantly,identify the specific type and
(10:11):
subtype.
That information is absolutelyvital for planning treatment.
It really is the moment oftruth.
Speaker 2 (10:17):
And working alongside that biopsy, there are the
laboratory tests, the blood work.
These sound like they provide awhole dashboard of information
about what's going on, like thecomplete blood count, the CBC
that checks red cells, whitecells, platelets, right.
Speaker 3 (10:30):
Exactly.
The CBC gives a baseline lookat your blood counts, checking
for things like anemia or lowwhite cells or platelets, which
can happen with lymphoma.
Then there are other importantmarkers lactate dehydrogenase or
LDH.
It's an enzyme and higherlevels can sometimes indicate
more aggressive disease or alarger amount of lymphoma in the
body.
Speaker 2 (10:49):
Okay, ldh.
What else do they look for inblood tests?
Speaker 3 (10:52):
They often check inflammation markers like the
erythrocyte sedimentation rate,esr, and C-reactive protein, crp
.
These are general signs ofinflammation, and another one is
beta-2 microglobulin.
Elevated levels of this proteincan also give doctors
information about the stage ofthe lymphoma and the likely
prognosis.
Speaker 2 (11:10):
So a whole panel of tests working together.
Speaker 3 (11:17):
Precisely, and it's really vital to understand.
These tests aren't just aone-off thing at diagnosis.
They get repeated regularlythroughout treatment and
follow-up.
They're crucial for monitoringhow well the treatment is
working, checking for sideeffects and detecting any early
signs if the lymphoma were tocome back.
They're a constant source ofinformation for the care team.
Speaker 2 (11:32):
That makes sense.
It's like checking the gaugesconstantly.
Speaker 3 (11:34):
Exactly Now, when it comes to treatment, the plan is
incredibly personalized.
It really depends on so manyfactors the specific type of
lymphoma, obviously, how far itspread the stage, how quickly
it's growing and, of course, thepatient's overall health and
preferences.
It's quite interesting, youknow some of those very
(11:56):
slow-growing indolent lymphomas.
Sometimes the best approach, atleast initially, is just watch
and wait, close monitoring,without immediate active
treatment, whereas theaggressive types, they need
immediate, often intensive,intervention.
Speaker 2 (12:04):
Right.
So it's definitely not a singlepath.
It's a tailored battle plan.
What are the main weapons, themain treatment options, doctors
use against lymphoma today?
Speaker 3 (12:11):
There's a pretty powerful arsenal now.
Thankfully, chemotherapy isoften a cornerstone.
It uses drugs, often incombinations, like the
well-known RTHOP regimen forDLBCL, to kill rapidly dividing
cells, which includes cancercells.
Then there's immunotherapy.
This is a really exciting area.
Treatments like rituximab,which is a type of drug called a
(12:32):
monoclonal antibody, aredesigned to target specific
proteins on the surface oflymphoma cells.
This helps your own immunesystem recognize and attack the
cancer cells more effectively.
Speaker 2 (12:42):
Chemo, immunotherapy, what else?
Speaker 3 (12:45):
Radiation therapy is another option.
It uses high-energy beams, kindof like focused x-rays, to kill
cancer cells in a specific area.
It's often used for early-stagelymphoma, sometimes combined
with chemo.
We also have targeted therapy.
These are newer drugs thatinterfere with specific
molecules or pathways thatcancer cells need to grow and
survive.
They're often more precise thantraditional chemo and sometimes
(13:05):
have fewer side effects.
Speaker 2 (13:06):
Okay, that covers quite a few approaches.
What about more intensiveoptions?
Speaker 3 (13:10):
For cases where the lymphoma comes back after
initial treatment lapsed ordoesn't respond well refractory,
a stem cell transplant might beconsidered.
This usually involves veryhigh-dose chemotherapy to wipe
out the lymphoma, followed by aninfusion of healthy stem cells,
either your own, collectedearlier, or from a donor, to
rebuild your bone marrow andimmune system.
(13:31):
And running alongside all ofthis active treatment is
supportive care.
That's incredibly important.
It focuses on managing symptoms, preventing infections, dealing
with side effects fromtreatment and just generally
maintaining the best possiblequality of life through
everything.
Speaker 2 (13:47):
It's really encouraging to hear about all
these different options.
Speaker 3 (13:49):
Absolutely, and if we connect this all back to the
bigger picture, it truly is astory of significant progress
and real hope.
Thanks to these advances thetargeted therapies, the
immunotherapies, better chemocombinations, better supportive
care many lymphomas today arehighly treatable and quite a few
are even curable, especially,as we keep saying, when they're
diagnosed early.
Speaker 2 (14:09):
That's fantastic news .
So, circling back to labtesting, it's clear it's not
just for that initial diagnosis.
It sounds absolutely essentialall the way through for
monitoring, treatment response,tracking, side effects, looking
for recurrence.
It really is like a lifelongpartner in managing this, isn't
it?
Speaker 3 (14:27):
It absolutely is.
Couldn't have said it better.
It really is like a lifelongpartner in managing this, isn't
it?
It absolutely is.
Couldn't have said it better.
Regular blood work lets thehealth care team keep tabs on so
many things.
They can check how your bonemarrow is handling chemotherapy.
They track those markers wetalked about, like LDH and
beta-2 microglobulin, asindicators of how much disease
activity there might be.
They monitor your immunefunction to help head off
(14:47):
infections.
And, crucially, these tests cansometimes pick up the very
earliest signs of a relapse,often before any symptoms
reappear.
That allows for quicker actionif needed.
Speaker 2 (14:56):
And thinking about the practical side for patients,
especially maybe older patientsor those juggling other health
issues, making that routine labtesting easy to access, easy to
keep up with, that seems reallykey for making sure care stays
consistent and effective.
Speaker 3 (15:09):
Definitely, Adherence to monitoring is crucial and
convenience plays a big role inthat.
Speaker 2 (15:14):
Okay.
So, as we wrap up this deepdive, I think the key takeaways
are pretty clear.
Lymphoma yes, it's complex,it's got many different forms,
but and this is the big take butwith more awareness, with
earlier detection and with theamazing modern treatments
available now, many, many peoplediagnosed with lymphoma go on
to live full, healthy lives.
Speaker 3 (15:35):
That's the crucial message.
It really comes down torecognizing those potential
signs your body might be sending, understanding the risk factors
, even if they don't guaranteeanything, and being consistent
with follow-up care, includingthat regular lab monitoring.
Those steps really empowerpatients and give them the best
chance for optimal outcomes.
Speaker 2 (15:51):
So what does all this mean for you?
Listening right now on your ownhealth journey?
Well, maybe consider this howdoes really understanding the
intricate workings of your ownbody, things like your lymphatic
system, the different waysdiseases like lymphoma can
behave, how does that empoweryou?
It's not just about spottingwarning signs, so that's vital.
It's also about being able toengage more proactively, more
(16:13):
confidently with your doctorsand your healthcare.
It helps turn that potentialanxiety about the unknown into
informed, positive action.
Speaker 1 (16:25):
Thanks for tuning into the Health Pulse.
If you found this episodehelpful, don't forget to
subscribe and share it withsomeone who might benefit.
For more health insights anddiagnostics, visit us online at
wwwquicklabmobilecom.
Stay informed, stay healthy andwe'll catch you in the next
episode.
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