September is celebrated as World Lymphoma Awareness Month.
Lymphoma is considered a fairly common cancer in India and develops in white blood cells called lymphocytes. It accounts for approximately 3 to 4 percent of all cancers worldwide and is divided into two main types: Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) and non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL), with NHL being the most common form.
In India, the incidence of lymphoma is between 1.8 and 2.5 cases per 100,000 people per year, with NHL being more prevalent, especially among older adults. Lymphoma survival rates have seen significant improvement over the years, with a 5-year survival rate of about 86 percent for HL and about 72 percent for NHL.
Hodgkins develops mainly in the upper part of the body, such as the neck, chest, or armpits, while non-Hodgkins develops in lymph nodes anywhere in the body.
“Modern treatment methods along with safe and effective treatment options such as targeted therapy, CAR-T cell therapy and BMT have helped improve clinical outcomes to a great extent. Many patients recover successfully after being declared terminal due to the use of innovative modules which prove to be an effective treatment option,” Dr Ashish Gupta, medical oncologist at Unique Hospital Cancer Centre, New Delhi, told IANS.
Early detection is particularly important for Hodgkin lymphoma, as its cure rate is significantly higher when detected in the early stages.
Raising awareness helps people recognize key symptoms such as swollen lymph nodes, fever, night sweats and fatigue, which are often confused with more common illnesses.
“Immunotherapy, particularly CAR-T cell therapy, has become a breakthrough for the treatment of certain types of lymphoma, especially those resistant to other treatments. Precision medicine, through genetic profiling, enables personalized treatment strategies, improving effectiveness and minimizing harm,” Dr C N Patil, HOD and Principal Consultant – Medical Oncology and Hemato-Oncology, Aster RV Hospital, told IANS.
Technological advances have significantly transformed lymphoma treatment, making it more effective and reducing side effects.
The overall survival rate has increased: Hodgkin lymphoma has cure rates of between 80 and 90 percent when treated early. Non-Hodgkin lymphoma, which has more subtypes, has a varied survival rate depending on the aggressiveness of the subtype, but has improved with newer therapies.
Targeted therapies, such as drugs like Rituximab and Brentuximab, specifically attack cancer cells and spare healthy cells, leading to better outcomes for patients.
Additionally, improvements in radiation therapy have made treatments more focused, reducing damage to surrounding healthy tissues and improving overall patient care.
Lymphoma is considered a fairly common cancer in India and develops in white blood cells called lymphocytes. It accounts for approximately 3 to 4 percent of all cancers worldwide and is divided into two main types: Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) and non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL), with NHL being the most common form.
In India, the incidence of lymphoma is between 1.8 and 2.5 cases per 100,000 people per year, with NHL being more prevalent, especially among older adults. Lymphoma survival rates have seen significant improvement over the years, with a 5-year survival rate of about 86 percent for HL and about 72 percent for NHL.
Hodgkins develops mainly in the upper part of the body, such as the neck, chest, or armpits, while non-Hodgkins develops in lymph nodes anywhere in the body.
“Modern treatment methods along with safe and effective treatment options such as targeted therapy, CAR-T cell therapy and BMT have helped improve clinical outcomes to a great extent. Many patients recover successfully after being declared terminal due to the use of innovative modules which prove to be an effective treatment option,” Dr Ashish Gupta, medical oncologist at Unique Hospital Cancer Centre, New Delhi, told IANS.
Early detection is particularly important for Hodgkin lymphoma, as its cure rate is significantly higher when detected in the early stages.
Raising awareness helps people recognize key symptoms such as swollen lymph nodes, fever, night sweats and fatigue, which are often confused with more common illnesses.
“Immunotherapy, particularly CAR-T cell therapy, has become a breakthrough for the treatment of certain types of lymphoma, especially those resistant to other treatments. Precision medicine, through genetic profiling, enables personalized treatment strategies, improving effectiveness and minimizing harm,” Dr C N Patil, HOD and Principal Consultant – Medical Oncology and Hemato-Oncology, Aster RV Hospital, told IANS.
Technological advances have significantly transformed lymphoma treatment, making it more effective and reducing side effects.
The overall survival rate has increased: Hodgkin lymphoma has cure rates of between 80 and 90 percent when treated early. Non-Hodgkin lymphoma, which has more subtypes, has a varied survival rate depending on the aggressiveness of the subtype, but has improved with newer therapies.
Targeted therapies, such as drugs like Rituximab and Brentuximab, specifically attack cancer cells and spare healthy cells, leading to better outcomes for patients.
Additionally, improvements in radiation therapy have made treatments more focused, reducing damage to surrounding healthy tissues and improving overall patient care.
