Non-hodgkin’s lymphoma Health Dictionary

A neoplasia of the lymph tissue, such as Hodgkin’s Disease. Although it is frequently useful to stimulate immunity when a person is undergoing chemotherapy for cancer, since the resultant immunosuppression is a major side effect of the treatment, in lymphatic cancer this the POINT of the therapy...let it be.... lymphoma

(Lymphadenoma. Lymphogranulomatosis). Chronic enlargement of the lymph nodes often together with that of the liver, spleen and bone marrow. Affects more males than females, 30- 40 years. High white blood cell count. Cancer of the lymph vessels. Follows a typical clinical course with anaemia until necrosis supervenes. The disease is suspected by a combination of enlargement of lymph nodes (especially the neck), severe itching and unexplained fever. Symptoms vary according to part of the body affected.

Symptoms. Hard rubbery glands are general, chiefly detected under the arm and groin. Enlarged nodes may compress nearby structures to produce nerve pains. Weight loss. Accumulation of fluid in lungs and abdomen. Obstruction of bile duct leads to jaundice. Patient may be prone to shingles. High fever heralds approaching fatality. Blood count, bone marrow aspiration and node biopsy confirm. Tubercula glands may simulate Hodgkin’s disease.

Some success reported by the use of the Periwinkle plant. (vinca rosea – Vinchristine) Wm Boericke, M.D. refers to Figwort as a powerful agent in Hodgkin’s disease.

Alternatives. Although there is no known cure, emphasis on the cortex of the adrenal gland may reduce skin irritation and pain in the later stages (Gotu Kola, Liquorice, Sarsaparilla). To arrest wasting and constitutional weakness: Echinacea. Anti-pruritics, alteratives and lymphatics are indicated.

Tea. Formula. Equal parts, Nettles, Gotu Kola, Red Clover. 1 heaped teaspoon to each cup boiling water; infuse 15 minutes. 1 cup 3 or more times daily.

Decoction. Formula. Equal parts – Yellow Dock, Queen’s Delight, Echinacea. 1 teaspoon to each cup water gently simmered 20 minutes. Half-1 cup 3 or more times daily.

Tablets/capsules. Poke root. Blue Flag root. Echinacea. Mistletoe.

Powders. Formula. Echinacea 2; Poke root 1; Bladderwrack 1. Dose: 500mg (two 00 capsules or one- third teaspoon) 3 or more times daily.

Tinctures. Mixture. Parts: Echinacea 2; Goldenseal quarter; Thuja quarter; Poke root half; Periwinkle 1. Dose: 1-2 teaspoons, 3 or more times daily. Where active inflammation is present – add Wild Yam 1. External. Castor oil packs to abdomen.

Treatment by a general medical practitioner or hospital specialist.

HOLISTIC MEDICINE. A school of thought which regards disease as a manifestation of an inner disturbance of the vital force, and not merely abnormality of certain groups of nerves, muscles, veins, or even the mind itself. Article 43 of Dr Samuel Hahnemann’s Organon of the Healing Art describes it:

“No organ, no tissue, no cell, no molecule is independent of the activities of the others but the life of each one of these elements is merged into the life of the whole. The unit of human life cannot be the organ, the tissue, the cell, the molecule, the atom, but the whole organism, the whole man.”

Holistic medicine relates disease to a patient’s personality, posture, diet, emotional life, and lifestyle. Treatment will be related to body, mind and spirit. It encourages a positive psychological response to the disease from which a patient suffers. For instance, its gentle approach to cancer embraces stress control, meditation, forms of visualisation and other life-enhancing skills.

Diet may be vegetarian, even vegan.... hodgkin’s disease

Lymphoid tumour associated with Epstein-Barr (EB) virus. Especially common in malaria endemic areas, such as Africa and Papua New Guinea. May be associated with the immunosuppressive effects of the malaria infection.... burkitt’s lymphoma

A cancer of lymph tissues that is characterized by tumours within the jaw and/or abdomen. It is confined almost exclusively to children living in low-lying, moist, tropical regions of Africa and New Guinea. Anticancer drugs or radiotherapy give complete or partial cure in about 80 per cent of cases. (See also lymphoma.)... burkitt’s lymphoma

See LYMPHOMA.... hodgkin’s disease

See LYMPHOMA.... malignant lymphoma

See LYMPHOMA.... non-hodgkin’s lymphoma

See LYMPHOMA.... t-cell lymphoma

a group of lymphomas in which abnormal T *lymphocytes are concentrated in the skin. The most common form is *mycosis fungoides.... cutaneous t-cell lymphoma

see Waldenstrom’s macroglobulinaemia.... lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma

Any cancer of lymphoid tissue (found mainly in the lymph nodes and spleen) other than Hodgkin’s disease. In most cases there is no known cause. Occasionally, the disease is associated with suppression of the immune system, particularly after an organ transplant. One type of nonHodgkin’s lymphoma, known as Burkitt’s lymphoma, is thought to be caused by the Epstein–Barr virus.

There is usually painless swelling of lymph nodes in the neck or groin. The liver and spleen may enlarge, and lymphoid tissue in the abdomen may be affected. Many other organs may become involved, leading to diverse symptoms ranging from headache to skin ulceration. Unless it is controlled, the disease (often marked by fever) progressively impairs the immune system, leading to death from infections or an uncontrolled spread of cancer. Diagnosis is based on a biopsy, usually taken from a lymph node. Chest X-ray, CT scanning, MRI, bone marrow biopsy, and lymphangiography of the abdomen may be needed to assess the extent of the disease.

If the lymphoma is confined to a single group of lymph nodes, treatment consists of radiotherapy. More often, the disease is more extensive, and in such cases anticancer drugs are given. A bone marrow transplant, together with drug treatment and/or radiotherapy, may be performed on some people.... lymphoma, non-hodgkin’s