Diffuse large-cell b-cell lymphoma is by far one of the most common and most dangerous of all types of oncological diseases that develop in the lymphatic system. This disease is characterized by great cell aggressiveness, and, in addition, dynamic growth. In the absence of adequate treatment, metastatic lesions threaten a person with a fatal outcome. According to American statistics, every year in the United States this type of oncology is diagnosed in twenty-three thousand people, along with about ten thousand deaths are recorded. More recently, this disease was considered incurable, but today in modern clinics apply techniques that give a favorable prognosis in the presence of such a dangerous pathology.
Features of the disease
Considering what constitutes diffuse large-cell b-cell lymphoma, it should be noted, first of all, the nature of the disease. It belongs to the group of oncologies that occur in the lymphatic system due to abnormal, and, in addition, uncontrolled cell division. Against this background, old cells, as is necessary in the norm, do not die, and new ones are already being formed. A tumor can appear in absolutely any part of the body, such can be detected only in one lymph node or immediately in a group of several. In the course of the development of the disease, it is able to affect the internal organs and grow into the bone marrow.
What happens to lymphocytes?
This diagnosis indicates that B-lymphocytes undergo mutations in the body. These are blood bodies that are designed to fight infections that enter the human body. Diffuse large-cell b-cell lymphoma got its name due to the fact that diseased cells enter the lymph nodes, leading to their destruction. That is, there is a certain diffusion in the lymph node.
Age of patients
This disease is diagnosed in people of older and middle age categories, starting from thirty-five years. The defeat, as a rule, applies to both sexes, however, women suffer from this ailment more often. Can a diffuse large-cell b-cell lymphoma be cured in humans? Success depends on the timely treatment of a patient in a specialized clinic, and, in addition, on the adequacy of treatment.
Pathology stages
There is a certain division of diffuse b-cell large-cell GCB-type lymphoma into several of the following varieties: primary cell damage, intravascular, primary skin with involvement in the pathological process of the legs, proceeding against the background of Epstein-Barr syndrome, developing as a consequence of the inflammatory process and characterized by excessive the number of histiocytes. Diffuse lymphomas occur, as a rule, in four stages. Separation is carried out on the basis of the degree of prevalence of the pathological process.
- At the initial stage, a single lesion of the lymph node is fixed.
- Further, the pathological process can occur in a group of nodes that are located on one side of the body.
- In the third stage, the pathology affects the nodes on both sides of the diaphragm.
- In the fourth stage, the tumor spreads to vital organs, for example, to the liver, bone marrow, lungs, and so on.
Many are interested in the survival rate for diffuse large-cell b-cell lymphoma.
Causes that may lead to pathology
The causes that may lead to the development of this disease are, unfortunately, not yet fully understood. Nevertheless, doctors identify a number of potentially dangerous factors that can provoke this anomaly. These include the following reasons:
- The presence of a genetic predisposition.
- The effect of age-related changes.
- The presence of various viruses, for example, immunodeficiency, Epstein-Barr and others.
- The presence of obesity in a person.
- The effect of radiation.
- The influence of the consequences of the transferred therapy of malignant tumors of any other localization.
- The presence of a person's weak immunity along with autoimmune diseases.
- The presence of inflammatory processes.
- The influence of harmful organic compounds in the form of insecticides, benzene, carcinogens and the like.
- The impact on the body of certain infections, for example, Helicobacter bacteria.
What is the prognosis for diffuse large-cell b-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma? About it below.
Symptoms of the development of pathology
The development of this pathology can be accompanied by various symptoms that directly depend on the area of tumor formation and damage to a certain part of the body.
The most important indicator is an increase in the size of the lymph nodes or their entire group. At first, painlessness is present, including during palpation. Thus, the lymph nodes can grow very much, and pain, as a rule, occurs gradually.
Concomitant manifestations
Among the concomitant manifestations that occur with the further development of this type of oncology, the following symptoms are noted:
- The appearance of dizziness and swelling. In this case, the neck, face or limbs most often swell.
- Difficulty swallowing.
- The appearance of shortness of breath and pain in the affected area.
- The occurrence of cough, numbness of the limbs, and, in addition, the development of paralysis.
- The occurrence of problems with balance.
Non-Hodgkin’s large-cell b-cell diffuse lymphoma is also characterized by common signs of oncological ailments in the form of anemia, increased fatigue, weakness, unreasonably rising temperature, decreased appetite, rapid weight loss, and the like.
How is this pathology diagnosed?
Diagnosis of the described oncology is a complex process that requires an integrated approach. First of all, an external examination by a doctor is carried out along with a history and palpation of the lymph nodes. A biopsy is also mandatory (taking particles of tumor tissue to determine the type of cells and their degree of malignancy). The fence is carried out by means of a puncture of the lymph node. Comprehensive diagnostics require hardware procedures in the form of the following examination methods:
- X-ray examination.
- Perform magnetic resonance imaging.
- Conducting computed tomography.
- Implementation of radioisotope scanning.
- Ultrasound examination of the patient.
In the process of diagnosing diffuse large-cell b-cell lymphoma in 83.3% of cases, genetic tests may additionally be required, and in addition, laboratory blood tests for the determination of oncological markers are required, and a biochemical analysis is also required. For example, with liver damage by these types of lymphomas, hepatic transaminases will be significantly increased.
Pathology treatment
Treatment of a disease such as large-cell diffuse lymphoma is performed with limited surgical intervention. Often use high doses of drugs in chemotherapy. They are introduced after the stem cell transplant procedure. In order to exclude certain complications, patients are hospitalized.
This type of lymphoma is often treated with chemotherapy, and in addition, by radiation, or through combined methods. Thanks to the addition of irradiation with a cytological agent, a sufficiently high effect is obtained from the chemistry performed. A significant therapeutic effect is achieved by removing the affected lymph node. The operation helps to obtain tissue for diagnosis, but surgical intervention rarely eliminates complications after treatment. Treatment of diffuse intestinal cell lymphoma is performed using an acceptable surgical technique, which is surgical resection.
Chemotherapy
Therapy is carried out with the following drugs: "Rituximab", "Cyclophosphamide", "Vincristine", "Doxorubin" and "Prednisolone". Intravenous administration of drugs favors an effective response of the body to therapy. It is noted that patients who underwent surgery and then received chemotherapy received a lower therapeutic effect than those who were treated with radiation and chemotherapy.
Additionally, the described type of lymphoma can be treated with several groups of drugs, namely antimetabolites, immunomodulators, antibiotics, antitumor and antiviral agents, and so on are used. An example of such drugs is Methotrexate, Epirubicin, Vinblastine, Etoposide, Doxorubicin, Rituximab, Mitoxantrone, and Asparaginase.
Immunostimulants
Among immunostimulants in the treatment of diffuse large-cell b-cell lymphoma, Interferon is often preferred. Patients with a favorable prognosis of the development of this disease (that is, those who have the disease at the first or second stage) are treated in two stages according to a special regimen using drugs in the form of “Bleomycin”, “Vinblastine”, “Dtoxorubicin” and “Dacarbazine” .
Patients whose disease has an unfavorable prognosis are prescribed intensive therapy in the form of treatment with drugs such as Onkovin along with Cyclophosphamide, Doxorubicin, and others. In addition, with an unfavorable prognosis, doctors prescribe patients for chemotherapy. Also in such cases, it is advisable to undergo radiation therapy, due to which the tumor cells are destroyed by x-rays.
Radiation therapy
Radiation therapy in particular helps patients in the first and second stages of the disease. Rays with such treatment are sent directly to the affected area in order to destroy, and, in addition, to damage the tumor cells. This treatment technique significantly helps to restrain their growth.
The generally accepted standard by which diffuse large-cell b-cell lymphoma of the fourth stage is treated is six courses with a drug called Rituximab. It is worth noting that the duration of therapeutic courses, as well as the combination of drugs, can vary, which directly depends on age, and, in addition, on the stability of patients and the degree of damage to their body.
Additional treatment
Additional therapy can be carried out with the help of “Rituximab”, “Dexamethasone”, “Cytarabine” and “Cisplastine”. Venous devices can also be used for patients for whom many cycles of chemistry are performed. Such devices are implanted in order to take samples for analysis, determine the degree of toxicity and perform an injection.
Patients with this type of oncology are observed, as a rule, every three weeks, even if they have a temporary improvement. Of the total number of lymphomas, forty percent are precisely diffuse large-cell variations of this disease.
Now we move on to considering the prognosis of this disease and find out what chances of survival patients have in the presence of this oncology.
Prognosis for diffuse large cell b-cell lymphoma
The prognosis in the presence of this pathology in the patient in rare cases is favorable. The nature of the prognosis largely depends on the type and stage of the disease, and, in addition, on the age and general health of the patient. In many ways, the prognosis for diffuse large-cell b-cell lymphoma also depends on the reasons that contributed to the emergence of this type of oncology. If there is a favorable prognosis, patients have a ninety-four percent chance to live more than five years after the diagnosis. But in the case of poor forecasting, this survival rate drops to sixty percent.
Reviews on the treatment of diffuse large cell b-cell lymphoma
Reviews about the treatment of this pathology are in large numbers. Diffuse lymphoma is one of the most common oncologies in the modern world. It begins to develop in the body during the development of abnormal b-lymphocytes. Sometimes tumor cells occupy areas of the body that are not composed of lymphoid tissues. Pathological cancer cells in the presence of this disease in patients grow very quickly. Reviews confirm this. The pathological focus may not hurt at the same time, usually such areas are located on the neck, under the armpits or in the groin. People say that the sooner this dangerous disease is discovered, the more likely the patient has a positive prognosis.