The lymphatic system is the body’s defense system against infections. This system includes the spleen, bone marrow, thymus gland, and the lymph nodes. When the white blood cells in the lymphatic system start to reproduce at a faster rate, lymphoma occurs. It is a form of cancer that affects all the organs of the lymphatic system as well as the other parts of the body. Lymphoma causes the lymph nodes to swell. Other symptoms include bone pain, cough, fatigue, enlarged spleen, night sweats, fever, itchy rash, shortness of breath, itching, abdominal pain, and sudden and unexplained weight loss.

The symptoms and their severity depend on the type of lymphoma. There are two main categories of this cancer—Hodgkin’s lymphoma and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. The former is a rare type of cancer while the latter is far more common. Depending on the type of cancer, different treatment plans are recommended by physicians. Early treatment can help in arresting the growth of cancer, and in some cases, treatment leads to a complete cure as well. However, most types of lymphomas have a slow progression.

Due to the slow growth of cancer, diagnosis can be slow as well. Despite the late diagnosis, in most cases, the patient survival rate is steadily rising due to evolved diagnostic tests and methods over the years. Read on to know more about the diagnosis and prognosis of lymphoma.

Diagnosis of lymphoma
A number of tests and procedures are carried out while diagnosing lymphoma, these include:

• Blood tests – Lymphoma causes the number of white blood cells to increase and older cells do not die at a normal rate. There is an excess of these cells in the lymphatic system. With the help of blood tests, doctors count the number of cells in a blood sample and carry out a diagnosis. However, a blood test can’t be standalone evidence to diagnose lymphoma. It has to be carried out in combination with other tests.
• Bone marrow biopsy – By inserting a needle into the hipbone, a bone marrow sample is removed. This sample is then tested and analyzed in the lab to check for lymphoma cells. This test is also called bone marrow aspiration and biopsy procedure.
• Lymph node biopsy – In this diagnostic procedure, a part of or an entire lymph node is removed for testing and analysis in the laboratory. A biopsy is done on the lymph node sample. The sample is subjected to advanced tests to determine the presence of lymphoma cells. This test can also reveal the presence of other types of cells that are causing lymphoma symptoms.
• Physical exam – During a physical test, a physician will check for swollen lymph nodes in the neck, groin, and underarms. In some cases, swollen nodes can be present in the spleen and the liver. This is often evident with external swelling in the abdominal area.
• Imaging tests – Imaging tests are used to look for lymphoma signs in other parts of the body, which generally do not show symptoms of lymphoma. These tests can include magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), positron emission tomography (PET), and computed tomography (CT) scans.

Prognosis of lymphoma
Over the years, the survival rate of lymphoma patients has increased. However, prognosis might not be the same for all patients. Prognosis of lymphoma indicates a doctor’s estimate of cancer’s progression, the treatment plan and course, and how the treatment will affect a patient. The prognosis depends on a number of factors like the type of lymphoma, the medical history of the patient, the stage of lymphoma, and the symptoms. The treatment plan recommended for the patient based on these factors.

It has been observed that about 93 percent of patients who are diagnosed with regionally-contained lymphoma may survive for five years. Nearly 65,000 lymphoma cases are diagnosed annually. It is estimated that nearly 20,000 lymphoma patients succumb to the disease. On an average, lymphoma patients can live till the age of 75 years. Women have more chances of surviving this cancer than men.

Post-treatment prognosis of lymphoma
Based on the type of lymphoma, the patient’s general health, and symptoms, treatment can include radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and so on. However, the success of a treatment plan is not always straightforward. This is despite steadily increasing probability of survival among lymphoma patients. Whatever be the type of lymphoma a patient has, they will have to go for regular and frequent checkups. Moreover, a lymphoma patient has to go for regular follow-up tests and treatments to ensure a long remission period. Follow-ups and check-ups are also important to watch out for other potential health disorders and the recurrence of lymphoma.