Gastrointestinal Lymphoma Treatment in Delhi, India

Lymphoma can develop in any part of the digestive tract where lymphatic tissue is present. The type of lymphoma differs, depending on the location, type of cell they begin in, and the growth of these cancer cells. There are several different types of gastrointestinal lymphomas, though the most common are:

1. Extra nodal marginal zone B-cell lymphoma

It is also known as Mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma. This lymphoma accounts for 50% of non-Hodgkin lymphoma affecting the gastrointestinal tract. This cancer most commonly develops in lymph tissue inside the lining of the stomach. It grows slowly and often responds well to the treatment. Most of the lymphomas affect B-cells, including the majority of gastrointestinal lymphomas.

2. Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL)

Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma spreads faster and is a also type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma. 

DLBCL develops in the lymph nodes of the gastrointestinal tract, skin, thyroid test bone, or any organ of the body. It develops in one part of the body and aggressively spreads to the other body parts. This cancer mostly occurs in individuals over the age of 60. DLBCL is extensively curable.

Symptoms of gastrointestinal lymphoma are usually vague and nonspecific. The most common symptom is abdominal pain, and often a person may not experience any physical symptoms at all. The other symptoms may include:

1. Weakness or fatigue

2. Loss of appetite

3. Nausea and vomiting

4. Unintended weight loss

5. Indigestion

6. Jaundice

7. Dysphagia (difficulty swallowing food)

8. Fever

9. Hematemesis (vomiting of blood) 

10. Passing blood in stools 

One should consult a doctor, in case of any given symptoms.

The exact causes of gastric lymphoma are unknown. Cancer develops when the DNA in the cell changes and the cell divides faster. As the DNA changes, mutation may arise. When mutations occur in the cells of the immune system, these cells can turn into lymphoma cells.

Gastrointestinal lymphoma can sometimes be caused by bacterial or viral infections. Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection often leads to cancer-causing mutation. H. pylori (mostly found in the stomach and intestine, which may cause ulcers) and increases the risk of gastric lymphoma.

Besides H. pylori, the other factors that may increase the risk of gastrointestinal lymphoma include:

1. Immunosuppressive drugs

2. Parasite or bacterial infection

3. Autoimmune disorders (including inflammatory bowel disease and celiac disease)

4. Infection from viruses (HIV, hepatitis B, and C, Epstein Barr virus)

Gastrointestinal lymphoma is diagnosed by analyzing the symptoms and physical signs, following a variety of medical tests.

1. Blood test

Blood tests are conducted to examine the number of red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets, to measure LDH (lactate dehydrogenase enzyme). A high amount of LDH may suggest the rapid growth of lymphoma.

2. Biopsy

A biopsy is a procedure of collecting sample tissues to analyze under a microscope to examine if the sample contains cancer cells. It is also helpful to identify the exact type and subtype of cancer and analyze its growth. It can be taken either at endoscopy, or imaging (ultrasound or CT) guided and sometimes may need to be done surgically.

3. Imaging tests

Various imaging tests such as x-ray, CT scans, and MRIs are recommended to determine the extent and spread of the disease. This test also helps to establish the diagnosis and mode of treatment.

4. Endoscopy

During endoscopy, a light, thin, and flexible tube with a camera attached to one end is inserted through the mouth into the stomach or gastrointestinal tract to view abnormal tissue. At endoscopy, a small sample of tissue is taken with help of instruments and then studied under a microscope.

The treatment for gastrointestinal lymphoma depends on numerous factors such as tumor size, a specific subtype of lymphoma, the stage of the tumor, individual age, and any underlying health problems. Following are the treatment options available for treating gastrointestinal lymphoma: 

1. Antibiotic therapy

For most gastrointestinal MALT lymphoma cases, the first treatment is antibiotics therapy. A drug combination is given to eradicate H. pylori bacteria from the digestive tract. In the early stage of lymphoma cancer, antibiotics may be the only treatment required. In a few cases, antibiotics successfully treat and kill the cancer cells.

2. Surgery

Surgeries are conducted mostly when the diagnosis is unclear or if patient has significant symptoms due to the tumour such as abdominal pain with vomiting or distention (suggesting an obstruction in the gastrointestinal tract), significant bleeding or sometimes a perforation in the intestine leading to sprsead of infection in the whole abdomen. Occasionally, it may be done when radiation therapies and chemotherapy are ineffective.

3. Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy treatment is the mainstay of treatment for gastrointestinal lymphomas. Chemotherapy uses various drugs, individually or in combination, to kill the cancer cells.

4. Radiation therapy

Some cases of gastrointestinal lymphoma may need radiotherapy in case other treatments fail. 

All these treatments can be used alone or in varied combinations.

Gastrointestinal lymphoma is a rare type of cancer and develops in many forms. 

1. Age

Gastrointestinal lymphoma is found in people between the ages of 50 to 70.

2. Chemical exposure

Exposure to chemicals such as herbicides, pesticides, and benzene can increase the risk.

3. Radiation exposure

Previous radiation therapy treatment for any type of radiation exposure can increase the risk for gastrointestinal lymphoma.

There are no exact prevention measures given for gastrointestinal lymphoma. But timely and proper treatment for H.pylori may prevent MALT lymphoma.

Astro intestinal lymphoma can often cause complications of bleeding. Other complications include intestinal obstruction, intestinal perforation, and occasionally obstructive jaundice.

Prognosis for gastrointestinal lymphoma depends on multiple factors such as the subtype, the type of cell cancer, the stage of cancer, and its spread. Even though lymphoma spreads aggressively, it is curable. Earlier diagnosis and timely treatment improve the rate of recovery.

1. Is Your Immune System Responsible for Causing Lymphatic Cancer?
2. Stomach Cancer Treatment In Delhi
3. An introduction to Cancer