September 16, 2016.
Did you know ? Lymphoma affects 18,000 new people each year. It is the cancer that most affects adolescents and young adults. But how does it manifest itself?
Symptoms of lymphoma are not characteristic
According to a study carried out by the France Lymphome Espoir association and published on Monday, September 12, on the occasion of World Lymphoma Day, this cancer is very poorly understood. Even patients who suffer from it do not know what it is: 70% of patients know the type of lymphoma they have and 54% understood precisely the characteristics of the lymphoma affecting them.
And in itself, this is not totally surprising, since this cancer is the cause of more than 50 cancerous pathologies. Furthermore, symptoms of lymphoma are uncharacteristic and easily recognizable : swelling of the glands, itching, night sweats, severe fatigue. At first glance, you might think of tonsillitis or a nasty flu.
How does this cancer develop?
But what is it exactly? Lymphoma is cancer that grows in the lymphatic system. However, the lymph which circulates in this system plays a role in the transport of certain nutrients, but also and especially in the immune system. Therefore, the cells of the immune system of people who have developed this cancer start to multiply abnormally and tumors can appear on different organs. Hence the complexity in identifying this cancer.
However, treatments today make it possible to effectively cope with this cancer. Each year, the number of patients in remission increases. But according to France Lymphoma Espoir, “ concern is more about long-term psychosocial effects “. Many patients fear a relapse and may be physically damaged as a result of the treatment, which can have an impact on their morale.
In France, lymphoma still kills 4,000 people every year.
Read also: Hodgkin’s disease
