Lymphoma affects patients with AIDS
Tests have been done to see if lymphoma has spread to the lymph system or to other parts of the body. This way it may be determined the stage of the cancer, which is important in order to direct the treatment. Lymphoma related to AIDS is usually in an advanced stage when diagnosed.
Procedures and tests are recommended during the staging process:
Computerized axial tomography or CT scan is a procedure that takes series of detailed pictures from different angles, for a better view over the organs inside the body a dye is injected into the vein or swallowed to see the organs or tissues more clearly.
Another test is with positron emission tomography scan(PET scan) defined as a procedure to find malignant tumor cells in the body. After the injection of radionuclide sugar(glucose) malignant cells are easy to identify because they take up more glucose than other cells and appear brighter in the picture.
MRI(magnetic resonance imaging)or nuclear magnetic resonance imaging uses a computer, radiowawes and a magnet to have series of pictures of the ares inside the body. Gadolinium is injected through the veins of the patient and because it concentrates around the tumor cells, these appear more brighter on picture.
The biopsy from bone marrow is the process through which the pathologist takes a small piece of marrow or bone and puts it in the microscope and may determine whether is cancer or not in that tissue. Usually the piece of bone or marrow is taken by inserting a needle into the breastbone and hipbone. Lumbar puncture(LP or spinal tap): consists of the collection of cerebrospinal fluid from the spinal column through a needle placed in the spinal column.
Staging in AIDS related lymphomas:
E - meaning extranodal and defines the cancer that was found in the areas and organs near the lymph nodes, but hasn't affected yet the lymph nodes nor the major lymphatic areas.
S- meaning spleen and that the cancer is found in the spleen.
During stage I cancer is found in one lymph node group, if the cancer is found in another area or organ than the lymph nodes. During stage II tumor cells are found in the groups of nodes near the diaphragm(the tight muscle that separates the abdomen from the chest), if it is stage IIE tumor cells are found in lymph nodes near that area or organ and may have affected the lymph nodes groups on the same side of the diaphragm.
In stage III and IIIE cancer is found in lymph nodes on both sides of the diaphragm and in other areas and organs. During stage IIIS cancer is found in lymph groups on both sides of the diaphragm and in stage IIIS +E cancer is found in lymph groups on both sides of the diaphragm, in any area or organ and in the spleen.
Stage IV the cancer is spread far from one organ or lymph nodes.
The lymphoma spread through the body, including the bone marrow or brain is the peripheral lymphoma. Primary lymphoma starts in the central nervous system.
For more resources about lymphoma or even about lymphoma cancer please review this page http://www.lymphoma-center.com/lymphoma-cancer.htm
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