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Suggest Treatment For Symptoms Of Lymphoma Behind Sternum

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Posted on Mon, 30 Mar 2015
Question: I very recently have been diagnosed with possible lymphoma (very likely). The effected lymph nodes are behind my sternum surrounding my trachea. There are multiple effected nodes about the size of quarters. I will have surgery very soon to biopsy them, my question is- is there anyway to stage this without the biopsy? What are common symptoms of this disease?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Vivek Chail (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
Biopsy is a must to make a diagnosis and know the nature of disease

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX,
Thanks for writing in to us.

In our earlier conversation, we had discussed about your blood reports. I just read that you possibly have lymphoma. Having worked in a cancer institute, I have had many patients with disease and most of them have recovered well from the feedback I have got. I hope you make a complete recovery at the earliest.

For treatment purposes there is staging of lymphomas.

Staging of the disease is by location of disease
Stage I

One group of lymph nodes is affected
or
The lymphoma is in one area of a single organ outside the lymphatic system (called stage 1E).

Stage II

Two or more groups of lymph nodes are affected and they are either above or below the diaphragm (a sheet of muscle under the lungs that separates the chest from the abdomen)

Or

The lymphoma is in one organ or area of the body and is in lymph nodes on the same side of the diaphragm (called stage 2E).

Stage III
The lymphoma is in lymph nodes both above and below the diaphragm.

Stage IV
The lymphoma has spread to other organs, such as the bone marrow, liver, brain or the lining of the lungs (pleura).

Symptoms of this disease includes the following
Night sweats
A fever that comes and goes
Unexplained weight loss

If you have any of the above symptoms (night sweats, fever, weightloss) then stage B is given. If there are no symptoms then it is stage A.




Lymphomas have many types. We have lymphomas classified based on their cells and distribution. The commonly followed classification of lymphomas includes

1. B-cell neoplasms
2. T-cell and natural killer cell neoplasms
3. Hodgkin lymphoma

Biopsy is required to know the type of lymphoma you might have and if it is of the aggressive or indolent variety.

Wish you a quick recovery.

Hope this answers your question. Please feel free to correct any oversight in my interpretation of your problems and discuss them in detail as per your requirements.

Hope your query is answered.
Do write back if you have any doubts.

Regards,
Dr.Vivek
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Vivek Chail (2 days later)
How do you feel about some doctors using the ketogenic diet cur cancer instead of chemo and radiation?e
doctor
Answered by Dr. Vivek Chail (46 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
My opinion is that ketogenic diet works in addition to chemo and radiation

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX,
Thanks for writing in with an update.

Having come across hundreds of lymphoma patients undergoing treatment and regular review of their condition, I have observed that chemo and radiation are the main treatments for lymphoma.

I have seen many patients in whom the mass like the one you have, has melted like molten wax after short courses of chemotherapy and radiation.

Ketogenic diet can help as a supportive measure but not as the only treatment.

Wishing you a quick recovery.

Hope your query is answered.
Do write back if you have any doubts.

Regards,
Dr.Vivek
Note: For further queries related to kidney problems Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Pradeep Vitta
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Answered by
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Dr. Vivek Chail

Radiologist

Practicing since :2002

Answered : 6874 Questions

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Suggest Treatment For Symptoms Of Lymphoma Behind Sternum

Brief Answer: Biopsy is a must to make a diagnosis and know the nature of disease Detailed Answer: Hi XXXX, Thanks for writing in to us. In our earlier conversation, we had discussed about your blood reports. I just read that you possibly have lymphoma. Having worked in a cancer institute, I have had many patients with disease and most of them have recovered well from the feedback I have got. I hope you make a complete recovery at the earliest. For treatment purposes there is staging of lymphomas. Staging of the disease is by location of disease Stage I One group of lymph nodes is affected or The lymphoma is in one area of a single organ outside the lymphatic system (called stage 1E). Stage II Two or more groups of lymph nodes are affected and they are either above or below the diaphragm (a sheet of muscle under the lungs that separates the chest from the abdomen) Or The lymphoma is in one organ or area of the body and is in lymph nodes on the same side of the diaphragm (called stage 2E). Stage III The lymphoma is in lymph nodes both above and below the diaphragm. Stage IV The lymphoma has spread to other organs, such as the bone marrow, liver, brain or the lining of the lungs (pleura). Symptoms of this disease includes the following Night sweats A fever that comes and goes Unexplained weight loss If you have any of the above symptoms (night sweats, fever, weightloss) then stage B is given. If there are no symptoms then it is stage A. Lymphomas have many types. We have lymphomas classified based on their cells and distribution. The commonly followed classification of lymphomas includes 1. B-cell neoplasms 2. T-cell and natural killer cell neoplasms 3. Hodgkin lymphoma Biopsy is required to know the type of lymphoma you might have and if it is of the aggressive or indolent variety. Wish you a quick recovery. Hope this answers your question. Please feel free to correct any oversight in my interpretation of your problems and discuss them in detail as per your requirements. Hope your query is answered. Do write back if you have any doubts. Regards, Dr.Vivek