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Lymphoma

Lymphoma is a type of cancer that starts in the white blood cells called lymphocytes and grow out of control. There are 2 main types of lymphoma. It’s important to get an accurate diagnosis as lymphomas have different cell types with different treatment options. This type of tumor can originate in many different areas of the body.

Bardmoor Cancer Center will take careful steps stage and grade the disease to assess the best way to create and manage your treatment plan. Our goal is to achieve the very best outcome while preserving your quality of life.

Types of Lymphoma include:

  • Hodgkin lymphoma (HL)
  • Non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL)

What are the risk factors for Lymphoma?

It may be possible to avoid some risk factors for lymphoma, but some are out of your control. The best plan is to catch it early. Lifestyle and hereditary factors include:

  • Epstein-Barr virus infection/mononucleosis
  • Weakened immune system
  • Infections that cause chronic immune stimulation
  • Breast implants (rare)
  • Autoimmune diseases
  • Personal history of lymphoma
  • Obesity
  • Family history of lymphoma
  • Gender/Age/Race/Geography
  • Radiation exposure
  • Exposure to certain chemicals and drugs

Symptoms of Lymphoma Include:

  • Lumps under the skin (neck, under arm, groin)
  • Swollen abdomen
  • Fever and chills
  • Drenching night sweats
  • Itchy skin
  • Weight loss without trying
  • Loss of appetite
  • Itchy skin
  • Cough, trouble breathing, chest pain
  • Easy bleeding or bruising
  • Feeling full after only a small amount of food

Many of these symptoms are more likely to be caused by conditions other than lymphoma but seeking care early can help find cancer earlier and improve outcomes.

Lymphoma Diagnosis and Treatment

At Bardmoor Cancer Center, once lymphoma has been diagnosed, our specialists may order diagnostic testing and imaging to help determine the stage and extent of the disease. It is very important to do a comprehensive lymphoma work-up to carefully evaluate the extent of the cancer.

  • Medical history and physical exam
  • Lymph node biopsy and molecular assessment
  • Blood tests and tumor markers
  • Bone marrow aspiration and biopsy
  • Chest x-ray
  • MRI scan
  • CT scan
  • PET imaging
  • Ultrasound
  • Bone scan
  • Lumbar puncture
  • Pleural or peritoneal fluid sampling

Depending on the type and stage (severity) of the lymphoma, the following treatments may be necessary. At Bardmoor Cancer Center, we use the most advanced therapies available to treat lymphoma. An individualized plan of care may include multiple types of treatments.

Types of treatment for lymphoma include the following:

Radiation – Any remaining cancer cells left after surgery are destroyed with high-energy radiation beams. For some lymphomas, treating with chemotherapy at the same time can make radiation therapy work better. It is possible to receive radiation therapy before, during or after surgical intervention. Also, when surgery is not possible, radiation can be used to help slow the growth of the tumor. We work closely with Bardmoor Cancer Center Radiation Oncology located on campus.
Chemotherapy – Chemotherapy (chemo) are anti-cancer drugs that may be given intravenously (injected into your vein) or by mouth. The drugs travel through the bloodstream to reach cancer cells in most parts of the body. Chemotherapy can sometimes be given before, during or after surgery. At Bardmoor Cancer Center, our team provide extensive education and supportive care through your therapy. Chemotherapy is the hallmark treatment for lymphoma.
Targeted Treatments – Targeted drugs work differently from chemo drugs. They sometimes work when chemo drugs don’t, and they often have different side effects. They can be used either along with chemotherapy or by themselves if chemotherapy is no longer working. Targeted treatment options are determined by further genetic testing of the tumor cells. This type of testing is usually done on the biopsied tissue of the tumor cells.
Immunotherapy – Immunotherapy is the use of medicines to help a person’s own immune system better recognize and destroy cancer cells. Immunotherapy can be used to treat some people with advanced lymphomas.

Why Choose Us?

If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with anal cancer, it is crucial to work with a team of cancer experts who not only have extensive experience, but also a strong track record for achieving the best possible outcome for their patients. While this type of cancer is treatable, the dedicated team Bardmoor Cancer Center will initially stage and treat this form of cancer and monitor and treat cancer recurrence or complications that may occur later.

At Bardmoor Cancer Center, our physicians are highly specialized in treating multiple types of cancer with the most advanced techniques. Using a team approach, we strive for excellence. We work with each patient to specifically tailor their treatment to their own clinical situation. One of the common diseases that we treat is anal cancer.

  • Board-Certified Radiation Oncologist currently taking new patients
  • Consultation appointments scheduled within 3-5 days of referral and in some cases same-day appointments available
  • Open, immediate access to outpatient symptom management
  • 24-hour physician coverage
  • We accept most insurance plans including Medicare, Medicaid, and VA
  • We treat everyone like family
  • We keep close tabs on your physical, mental, and emotional well-being because we care about the quality of your life