How can we achieve early detection of lymphoma

  From the perspective of known cancer-causing factors, they are almost everywhere in people’s life, and it is impossible to prevent them from invading human body completely, let alone tumors like lymphoma, which are far from being understood. The second best thing we can do is to try to detect and cure the tumor as early as possible, so as to minimize the damage to human body. If found late, curable tumors can become incurable.  Since all lymphomas are clinically characterized by painless and progressive lymph node enlargement, a simple self-testing method is recommended: “feel”. Because most patients with lymphoma develop first in superficial lymph nodes, such as the neck, groin and axillary lymph nodes, these areas are easily palpable. Usually, when a pathogen invades the body and infection occurs, the lymph nodes will swell and become painful, and the lymph lumps will naturally shrink after the inflammation disappears. Therefore, if you find painless and progressive enlargement of your lymph nodes and you can exclude obvious triggers for lymph node enlargement (such as inflammation), you should go to the hospital for relevant tests to exclude the possibility of lymphoma. There is also a unique clinical manifestation of HL, which is painful lymph nodes caused by alcohol consumption. When a patient with lymphoma develops systemic symptoms such as fever, wasting and night sweats, it often indicates that the lymphoma has entered advanced stage or the lesion is diffuse at the beginning.  The following are some early signs of lymphoma that deserve special attention: 1. Progressive lymph node enlargement without clear cause, especially if the site of occurrence, hardness, and activity are consistent with the characteristics of malignant lymphoma mentioned earlier.  2. “Lymph node tuberculosis” after regular course of anti-tuberculosis treatment, “chronic lymphadenitis” after general anti-inflammatory treatment is ineffective.  3.Lymph node enlargement and fever sometimes improve after treatment, but often recur, and the overall trend is progressive.  4. The possibility of malignant lymphoma should be considered for unexplained long-term low fever or periodic fever, especially if it is accompanied by itchy skin, excessive sweating, wasting, and superficial lymph node enlargement.