As an integral part of the body’s circulatory system, the lymphatic system consists of lymphatic vessels, lymph nodes and lymphatic tissue that help collect and transport tissue fluid back to the heart through lymphatic fluid, is an auxiliary part of the venous system, and is also the body’s natural defense against disease. Lymphoma is a malignant tumor of the lymphatic hematopoietic system. All lymphomas are malignant, and there is only a difference in malignancy between different types of lymphomas, not in their benignity or malignancy. This year, September 15 is the sixth World Lymphoma Awareness Day. In addition to the familiar early detection and diagnosis of lymphoma, the accuracy of staging and the success of the first treatment determine whether lymphoma can be effectively controlled. If a patient is treated appropriately under the guidance of a specialist from the beginning, he or she has a better chance of making significant progress in near-term outcomes and long-term survival. With the introduction of targeted drugs and the continuous development of treatment protocols, the cure rate of malignant bahtoma has reached more than 50%, effectively helping patients and their families to regain hope.” Lifestyle, viral infections, lymphoma on the rise As a malignant tumor originating from the lymphatic system, lymphoma is divided into two categories, Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin. In Asia, the incidence of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma is much higher than that of Hodgkin’s disease, about 9:1, and because of its higher malignancy and worse prognosis, lymphoma is generally referred to as non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. In 2009, 48-year-old news broadcaster Luo Jing and 33-year-old actress Li Yu both died of lymphoma. They both reportedly died of lymphoma about a year after the disease was discovered, but their conditions deteriorated rapidly. According to the World Health Organization, there is currently an average of one new patient every two minutes worldwide, and the number of deaths exceeds 200,000 each year. And in China, there are about 25,000 new patients each year. In the past 20 years, the incidence of lymphoma has increased by 75%, ranking 3rd among the fastest growing tumors. Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma can occur at all ages, with a high incidence between the ages of 45 and 60. Why are more and more people being diagnosed with lymphoma? Professor Zhi Xiuyi said, “On the one hand, it is because the diagnosis level of the disease has improved, on the other hand, the change of living environment, office workers are often exposed to various kinds of radiation and work pressure, meanwhile, the increase of viral infections (such as hepatitis virus) and bacterial infections (such as Helicobacter pylori) in modern people, and the use of immunosuppressive drugs after organ transplantation are also the reasons for the high incidence of lymphoma year by year. “ Early detection and accurate staging are the keys to successful lymphoma treatment Malignant lymphoma is relatively insidious and not easily detected. Being able to detect the symptoms early and seek timely diagnosis will greatly increase the cure rate. Some early signs deserve special attention: 1. Progressive lymph node enlargement without any clear cause, especially if the site, hardness and activity are consistent with the characteristics of malignant lymphoma. 2. “Lymph node tuberculosis” after regular course of anti-tuberculosis treatment, “chronic lymph node inflammation” after general anti-inflammatory treatment is ineffective. “3. Lymph node enlargement and fever sometimes improve with treatment, but often recur and the general trend is progressive. 4. Unexplained prolonged low fever or periodic fever, especially with itchy skin, excessive sweating, wasting, and superficial lymph node enlargement are found. If these abnormalities appear in the body, do not take it upon yourself, but make sure to go to a regular hospital for examination in time to avoid delaying the disease. For the confirmation of lymphoma diagnosis, “biopsy is a simple, easy and less painful operation and is the most reliable method for lymphoma diagnosis, and pathological examination is performed by total or partial excision for highly suspected lesions.” According to the World Health Organization’s principles of pathologic classification, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma is subdivided into about 30 subtypes, some with slow progression and others with aggressive disease, and the treatment of different subtypes is not the same because the clinical manifestations, treatment principles and prognosis of different pathologic subtypes of lymphoma are different. ”It is because of the great variability of these subtypes that early and clear pathological diagnosis and subdivision of subtypes, accurate clinical staging, and appropriate treatment plan are prerequisites to obtain the best treatment effect”, said Prof. Xiaonan Hong, “Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma is divided into two types, B-cell and T-cell, of which, diffuse large The overall efficacy of lymphoma treatment has been significantly improved with a 5-year survival rate of more than 64%, giving more patients a chance for eradication.” But the reality is that many patients are happy with the “good news” that they have been cured, not knowing that the cancer cells may The reality is that many patients are happy after getting the “good news” of cure, not knowing that cancer cells may “rebound” at any time. According to the latest literature, the recurrence rate of lymphoma is as high as about 30%. Prof. Hong Xiaonan said: Patients whose tumors are fully controlled and in complete clinical remission after regular treatment still face the risk of tumor recurrence. Especially in the 1-2 years after treatment, regular follow-up examinations, including routine physical examination, serology and imaging, are essential. In particular, patients should return to the hospital once a month within six months after treatment, once every two months after six months, every three to four months after one year, and every four to six months after two to three years, until they have no recurrence symptoms or any discomfort after five years. Prof. Hong Xiaonan pointed out that insisting on scientific follow-up is the only way to consolidate the results of anti-cancer. On the anti-cancer front, “step by step” is the only way to “win”. In addition, patients should also pay attention to eliminate psychological barriers to lymphoma and maintain a reasonable diet and exercise during the follow-up period. Patients should not let down their vigilance and ignore the changes in their body, thus missing the treatment period; nor should they carry a heavy psychological burden because of the fear of recurrence. Self-examination tips: Experts suggest that you can feel your neck, armpits and groin to see if there are any enlarged lymph nodes. If there are swollen lymph nodes over 1 cm, or if the lymph nodes are rapidly getting larger, you should go to the hospital promptly. If there is a high fever of unknown origin lasting more than half a month, especially if it is accompanied by wasting, you should pay great attention to it and go to the hospital as soon as possible.