India is seen as a leading cancer hotspot. In 2022 alone, India witnessed a staggering 14.1 lakh new cases of cancer, leading to a tragic toll of over 9.1 lakh lives. 1 out of 9 people in India are susceptible to developing cancer in their entire life. While lung and breast cancers were the leading sites of cancer among women and men, children of 0 to 14 years of age may undergo the treatment of lymphoid leukaemia. Studies have revealed that there 29.2% of boys and 24.2% of girls (children) suffer lymphoid leukaemia respectively. The cases of cancer are expected to rise by 12.8% in 2025.
Lymphoma: Meaning, Types, and Symptoms
Lymphoma is a type of blood cancer. The white blood cells are the lymphocytes – an important part of the immune system. The immune system and the white blood cells are affected in this condition. Anyone suffering from lymphoma may run high fever, undergo unexplained weight loss, and sweat in the night. Also, there might be pain in the chest, a feeling of breathlessness, and swelling in the body.
Scientifically, the reasons for lymphoma happen to be unknown, but it starts with DNA changes in lymphocytes. Usually, the DNA in the cells carries information that controls the fast growth multiplication, and death of the cells.
Lymphoma: Diagnosis and Treatment
A person suffering from lymphoma will undergo a few physical exams, ask about the family’s medical history, and check the infection causing swelling of the lymph nodes. Along with this, you might get a lymph node biopsy done to check the cancerous cells.
For this test, the healthcare practitioner will take away a part of the lymph node or use a small needle and take a small tissue that makes blood from the affected node. A lymphoma-affected person may also undergo a Chest X-ray, MRI, PET scan, Molecular test, blood test, etc.
These tests would confirm the type and stage of lymphoma and chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and immunotherapy are some of the treatment methods used for lymphoma. If these treatments don’t work out stem cell transplants are a must.
Bone marrow transplant has been a successful treatment for diseases like leukemias, and lymphomas, since 1968. It has been a crucial procedure in offering a chance for a cure or long-term survival for patients with these diseases. At the same time, umbilical cord blood stem cell transplant can be ensured for this treatment. It seems that stem cells from umbilical cord blood offer a quicker and more effective reproduction of mature, functioning blood cells compared to stem cells taken from the bone marrow of another child or adult. The testing, typing, counting, and freezing of the stem cells until they are needed for a transplant is a critical and essential process to ensure their effectiveness.
Additionally, the collection of the umbilical cord, and cord blood is painless and safe. There are fewer complications after umbilical cord blood stem cell transplant. Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA) Matching is easy. The umbilical cord blood stem cells are always available.
Therefore, with the advent of stem cell therapy, it is always better to choose umbilical cord blood stem cell transplant for the treatment of Lymphoma.