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How does one get primary lymphoma of bone?
Signs of lymphoma are bone pain, especially pain that worsens with activity, weight loss, and others.
Lymphoma is a cancer of infection-fighting cells (lymphocytes), white blood cells of the immune system. These cells are normally found in the lymph nodes, spleen, thymus, and bone marrow.
The exact cause of lymphoma of bone is unknown; however, some of the risk factors are:
- Disturbed recycling of bone (Paget's disease)
- AIDS
- Viral infection
- Male gender
- Age above 60 years
- Having a close relative with lymphoma
- Exposure to chemicals such as benzene
- History of radiation
Primary lymphoma of bone is also known as reticulum cell sarcoma, malignant lymphoma of bone, or osteolymphoma.
What are the signs of primary lymphoma of bone?
Signs of lymphoma are:
- Bone pain, especially pain that worsens with activity
- Weight loss
- Fever
- Night sweats
- Swollen glands
- Itching
- Fatigue
How can the lymphoma of bone be diagnosed?
Laboratory tests are performed:
- Liver function tests
- Urine and serum protein electrophoresis
- Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and C-reactive protein (CRP)
- Alkaline phosphatase (ALP)
- Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH)
- Prostate-specific antigen (PSA)
Radiographic tests such as X-ray and ultrasonography, magnetic resonance imaging, bone scanning, and biopsy are also performed.
Ultimately, a biopsy of involved tissue is used to confirm the diagnosis.
What is the treatment for primary lymphoma of bone?
Radiation therapy is often combined with chemotherapy.
Chemotherapies used include cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone.
Patients may undergo surgery for the following conditions:
- Biopsy
- Skeletal complications
- Fractures
- Complications of the spine
Stem cell transplant is another treatment option for some patients with lymphoma of bone.
What is the survival rate for lymphoma?
The survival chances are higher in primary lymphoma of bone as compared to other types of bone cancers. A five-year overall survival rate of 95% with chemoradiation and 78%with single therapy has been reported from a study from Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. Simply put, 95% of the patients live for more than five years with chemotherapy and radiation and 78% when they had either chemotherapy or radiation.
Complications of lymphoma of bone include:
- Fracture
- Infection
- A blood clot in the veins
- Spread of cancer to other sites
- Toxicity due to chemotherapy
- Patients with lymphoma of bone have typically responded well to treatment.