Lymphoma experts stress upon the importance of spreading awareness around new
treatment options along with Bone Marrow Transplant (BMT), which are helping even those patients who have diagnosed with terminal Lymphoma and are often given a few months to live.
Dr Rahul Bhargava, Well known Lymphoma Expert and Director, Department of Clinical Hematology & Bone Marrow Transplant. Fortis Hospital New Delhi/Gurgaon said “ Lymphoma has many entities with different disease patterns ,different outcomes and varied treatment. With newer treatment methods cure rate has become higher but what is required is early diagnostic. and First thing when we see a enlarged lymphnode or a prolonged fever or weight loss we should do lymph’s node biopsy to characterise and differentiate between hodgkins or nonHodgkins lymhopma for which we need special test called immunhistochemistry. Lymphnode biopsy is must as it does not leads to spread of disease. Often Lymphoma is misdiagnosed as Tuberculosis(Tb) , so it becomes important to diagnose it correctly, the only way these two can be separated is by biopsy and blood works.
Dr. Rahul Bhargava further said “After the diagnosis, the right treatment plan is very important. Modern treatment methods along with safe and effective treatment options like BMT have helped improve the clinical outcomes in a big way. Many patients recovered successfully after being declared terminal just because we considered innovative modules as an important and effective treatment option, With High cure rates lymphoma should be free of cancer stigma as fortis hospital has got an advance centre for lymphoma treatment”.
Lymphoma is considered to be a fairly common cancer in India. Lymphoma, a condition that develops in white blood cells called lymphocytes, is basically of two types, Hodgkins (develops in the upper body, like neck, chest or armpits) & Non-Hodgkins (may develop in lymph nodes anywhere in the body). According to experts, if diagnosed on time, Lymphoma can be successfully treated with medication, chemotherapy, radiation therapy or stem-cell transplant and Bone Marrow Transplant.
Fewer, swollen lymph nodes, night sweats, chest pain, loss in appetite and weight loss, and stomach ache are the most common symptoms of Lymphoma. Any of these symptoms should be reported to the doctor without delay.
With the country taking a lead in cancer treatment, it’s high time when more people should know about the advanced treatment options and avail its benefits.