Radiation Therapy Treatment in Los Angeles, CA
At Pasadena CyberKnife Center, we understand how challenging the fight against cancer can be – but we’re here to help you win it, no matter how serious the situation. Our state-of-the-art cancer treatment center in Pasadena, CA provides world-class CyberKnife radiation therapy to patients of all ages throughout the greater Los Angeles area. We treat cancer of virtually every type and stage, including lymphoma. If you’ve been diagnosed, the first step to recovery is learning the answers to the most common questions.
Common Questions About Lymphoma
What is lymphoma?
Lymphoma refers to cancer of the lymphocytes, a type of white blood cell that plays a role in the lymphatic and immune systems. The lymphatic system consists of a series of tubes and nodes in the body – the lymph nodes – that help to drain toxins from the body and fight off germs. There are more than 60 specific forms of lymphoma, but broadly, lymphoma is categorized into Hodgkin’s and Non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). Hodgkin’s lymphoma is marked by the presence of Reed-Sternberg cells, a type of giant cancer cell. NHL does not produce Reed-Sternberg cells.
What are the symptoms of lymphoma?
Lymphoma is difficult to identify by symptoms alone, as it may not produce symptoms until an advanced stage, and even then can produce a wide range of symptoms. However, some signs of lymphoma include:
- Swollen lymph nodes, identifiable by lumps in the neck, arms, underarms, or groin
- Headaches
- Persistent cough
- Shortness of breath
- Nausea and vomiting
- Swollen abdomen or bloating
- Fever
- Rashes
- Night sweats
- Sudden, unexplained weight loss
What is a fine needle aspiration?
A fine needle aspiration, or FNA, refers to a type of biopsy in which a doctor uses a thin tube to collect cells from a tumor, swollen lymph node, or are of interest. These cells are then examined under a microscope, and if cancer cells are detected, this may mean the patient has lymphoma.
What treatment options are available for lymphoma?
Lymphoma treatments may be different from treatments of other cancers, as the cancer doesn’t always form in one localized tumor in the body – instead, the cancer cells are lymphocytes, which are spread throughout the body and coagulate in lymph nodes. For this reason, treatments like chemotherapy, which use specialized drugs to target fast-growing cells in the body, are more common for lymphoma. Other common treatments are immunotherapy and targeted therapy, both of which rely on pharmaceutical drugs. Surgery and radiation therapy treatments like CyberKnife can be used to remove problem areas or shrink certain lymph nodes, but generally are used as a compliment to diffuse treatments like chemotherapy.
Schedule a Consultation with Your Los Angeles Cancer Center
Fighting cancer is one of life’s greatest battles, but it’s never one you have to fight alone. At Pasadena CyberKnife Center, our team is ready and prepared to help you beat cancer through world-class radiation therapy and CyberKnife treatment. Don’t wait: contact us today to schedule your treatment consultation. We’ll help you beat cancer, get back on your feet, and reclaim the healthy, normal life you deserve.