Lymphoma in AIDS – HIV and Lymphoma

What is Lymphoma in AIDS?

Lymphoma – It is a cancer of the lymphatic system. The lymphatic system is a series of nodes, channels and tissues throughout the body. Lymph nodes are involved in formulating white blood cells, that fight infections in the body. Lymphoma starts its development in those white blood cells.

Lymphoma in AIDS is a disease, which develops in people with HIV or AIDS. If the media HIV develops Lymphoma, It is one of the many complications, that lead to the disease Aids.

Although there are different types of lymphomas, AIDS-related, the most common non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL). NHL occurs in people without HIV also have, but in patients with AIDS or lymphoma can be more aggressive.

Causes of lymphoma in AIDS

Cancer occurs, When cells in the body begin to uncontrollably divide. This leads to abnormal pathologic tissue, which is called tumor. Because the lymphatic system is distributed throughout the body, can be multiple lesions. Nonetheless, cancer is not considered to be common, While outside the lymphatic system is not started to develop metastases.

NHL starts due to DNA mutations, responsible for the production of white blood cells is produced. Mutated DNA initiates the production of abnormal cells, that, in turn, When dividing, develop new abnormal cells. It is not clear, What causes this change in DNA, but it is assumed, that it could be a combination of genetic and environmental factors.

Risk factors for lymphoma in AIDS

HIV increases the risk of AIDS-related Lymphoma.

HIV destroys certain white blood cells in the body, that help combat cancer. The body will try to work out more white blood cells, to compensate for the loss of damaged cells. This can lead to an increase in the formulation of another type of white blood cells, that develop in Lymphoma.

HIV also lowers your immunity in General, Therefore, its media are becoming more vulnerable to cancer and other diseases.

Symptoms of lymphoma in AIDS

Because the lymphatic system is distributed throughout the body, symptoms of lymphoma can be widely disseminated. Symptoms of lymphoma in AIDS may include:

• Swelling in the neck, Breast, underarms or groin;
• Unexpected weight loss;
• Fever;
• Night sweats;
• Fatigue;
• Itching of the skin.

Diagnosis of lymphoma in AIDS

The doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history, and perform a physical examination. Also the doctor prescribes an analysis of body fluids, What methods are as follows::

• Blood tests;
• Poyasnichnaya puncture;
• Bone marrow biopsy;
• Biopsy limfaticheskogo uzla.

Can be assigned to other tests, to determine the stage of the cancer and the extent of its spread through the body.

To run pictures of internal organs and structures can be used the following methods:

• Roentgen;
• MRT;
• CT scan;
• PET.

Treatment of lymphoma in AIDS

Treatment depends on the type of, aggressiveness and stage of cancer. You also need to start or continue treatment Aids.

Cancer treatment can further weaken the immune system, Therefore, it is important to control HIV infection and to support the immune system. Treatment of HIV infection involves the use of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). These medications can help slow the development of HIV-infection and improve immune system. If necessary, in the course of treatment should be amended, that, When prescribing drugs chemotherapy, prevent their interaction.

Treatment of lymphoma may include:

Chemotherapy for lymphoma in AIDS

Chemotherapy involves using drugs to kill cancer cells. The drugs enter the bloodstream, through which travel through the body. Chemotherapy is aimed at destroying cancer cells, However, some healthy cells are also damaged. Effect of drugs for chemotherapy on healthy cells can cause a number of side effects.

Chemotherapy is a common treatment for lymphoma, because it can affect cancer cells throughout the body. This procedure often requires passing several sessions, alternating with a few weeks of rest.

To make chemotherapy more effective, can be assigned to the combined use of steroid medications. These drugs can reduce some of the side effects, caused by chemotherapy.

Monoclonal antibody therapy of lymphoma in AIDS

Antibodies are an important part of the immune system. They signal, what substance in the body should be attacked by the immune system. Monoklonalynыe antibodies – preparations, which are specially designed, to be held on the surface of cancer cells and give a signal the immune system to attack them.

Radiation therapy of lymphoma in AIDS

Radiation therapy is used for radiation exposure affected body region cancer. Because lymphoma can be very widespread, radiation therapy is used infrequently to treat it. It can be used in combination with chemotherapy for areas with larger tumors. Radiation helps destroy cancerous tissue, that cause pain or dysfunction of organs.

Prevention of lymphoma in AIDS

There are currently no guidelines for preventing Lymphoma, AIDS-related. Correct treatment of HIV infection or AIDS can help support the functioning of the immune system and reduce the risk of some types of cancer.