The B-cell lymphomas

The B-cell lymphomas are types of lymphoma affecting B cells. Lymphomas are "blood cancers" in the lymph glands. They develop more frequently in older adults and in immunocompromised individuals .

B-cell lymphomas include both Hodgkin's lymphomas and most non-Hodgkins lymphomas. They are often divided into indolent lymphomas and aggressive lymphomas. Indolent lymphomas respond rapidly to treatment and are kept under control with long-term survival of many years, but are not cured. Aggressive lymphomas usually require intensive treatments, but have good prospects for a permanent cure.

Symptoms:

Lymphoma is often first noticed as painless enlarged lymph nodes. However, most of the time, enlarged lymph nodes do not mean lymphoma. Only a biopsy and subsequent pathology evaluations of the tissue can determine or exclude the diagnosis of lymphoma.

A painless swelling in the neck, armpit, or groin is sometimes one of the first signs of diffuse large B-Cell lymphoma. This swelling is caused by enlarged lymph nodes. Other symptoms may include night sweats, high temperatures, weight loss, or feeling extremely lethargic.

Other Symptoms are

· Lymph Nodes: The body's lymph nodes under the arms, in the neck, and in the groin become swollen from high activity.

· Anorexia: The person loses his appetite and stops eating regularly.

· Fatigue: People with blood cancer disorders such as B-cell lymphoma become tired and lethargic.

· Itchy Skin: The high white blood cell count causes the skin to become inflamed and itchy.

· Breathing Problems: The person may exhibit labored breathing or loss of breath. Chest pains can also occur with B-cell lymphoma.

Causes

The causes of lymphoma are not well known. DNA mutations cause lymphoma to develop but what triggers these mutations is largely unknown. Family history does not provide much of a clue; except in the case of some rare forms, lymphoma does not appear to be linked to genetic inheritance.

Medical Tests & Diagnosis

A biopsy must be performed so the cells can be examined. A biopsy is an operation that involves the removal of part of the enlarged lymph node. After the biopsy is performed, blood tests and x-rays may be necessary to determine how far the diffuse large B-Cell lymphoma has spread

Treatments

Radiation therapy: Radiation therapy (also called radiotherapy) is a type of local therapy. It affects cells only in the treated area. Radiation therapy is used alone for small tumors or for patients who cannot have surgery. It may be used before surgery to kill cancer cells and shrink the tumor. It also may be used after surgery to destroy cancer cells that may remain in the area.

Computed tomography (CT) : is a medical imaging method employing tomography created by computer processing. Digital geometry processing is used to generate a three-dimensional image of the inside of an object from a large series of two-dimensional X-ray images taken around a single axis of rotation.

Monoclonal antibody therapy : - uses drugs to recognize, target, and bind with proteins on the surface of the cancerous cells, thus stimulating the body's immune system to destroy the cell