Dr. Edward S. Kim is a widely respected cancer researcher known for his work on the molecular prognostication of lung cancer. But where his extraordinary brilliance lies is in his executive leadership — as he works to change the way cancer care is accessed. He is bringing unprecedented levels of advanced care to the community setting, and he is changing present-day clinical trial practices to make them more inclusionary.

Dr. Kim, the physician-in-chief at City of Hope Orange County, is revolutionizing access to life- saving cancer treatment. In his executive role, he is leading an effort to build a world-class cancer center and network of care in the heart of Orange County, California (population, 3.2 million), which will make advanced care available where people live and work — not in the traditional academic medical institution setting. Currently, 20% of people in Orange County must leave the area for highly specialized cancer care. But by situating all the resources of a top cancer institution close to home, Dr. Kim and City of Hope will answer the call of local patients in need of the latest care and will, ultimately, save lives.

When completed, City of Hope Orange County will be a campus for advanced care and treatment, along with the latest in cancer research. Additionally, a network of cancer facilities — some already open for care — will branch throughout the region. This is a model Dr. Kim developed at Atrium Health Levine Cancer Institute in Charlotte, North Carolina, and will pursue on an even greater scale in Orange County.

Additionally, Dr. Kim’s passion for promoting health access and equity has led him to trailblazing reform for clinical trials, shining a light on antiquated practices that have left out minority populations and others. His research and writing are disrupting age-old practices that often eliminate populations from even consideration for clinical trials due to age, previous access to care or other exclusionary practices.

The author of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO)-Friends of Cancer Research Joint Research Statement published in Clinical Cancer Research (2017 and 2021), Dr. Kim believes that clinical trials must start with the philosophy of including all participants by default, excluding those only for scientific-evidence-based safety reasons. In making his case, Dr. Kim cites the 2019 ASCO TAPUR study, which reviewed the electronic health records of 10,500 patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer, finding that nearly half of all potential participants were unnecessarily excluded. As he points out, exclusionary practices hurt individuals and larger populations because studies do not represent real-world patients with cancer.

As noted earlier, Dr. Kim is also a widely respected cancer researcher who has contributed to many advances in thoracic oncology including the BATTLE study in 2012, which introduced personalized therapy in lung cancer. His brilliant work in molecular prognostication for lung cancer is revolutionizing personalized medicine, making immunotherapy an effective option for more patients.

For being one of the nation’s most passionate advocates for broader access to advanced cancer care, for his leadership in disrupting and transforming medical research and for his groundbreaking clinical work, Dr. Edward Kim is deserving of recognition. He is one of America’s greatest lung cancer heroes.

For more news on cancer updates, research and education, don’t forget to 

A colleague describes Dr. Edward S. Kim’s devotion to improving lung cancer care and creating more inclusive clinical trial practices.

A Champion for Expanding Access to Lung Cancer Breakthroughs

Lisa O’Neill Hill

The use of pyrotinib combined with the chemotherapies trastuzumab, docetaxel and carboplatin (TCbH) was associated with a significantly improved complete response rate in patients with HER2-positive breast cancer, compared to treatment with triplet chemotherapy combination.

“In this study, TCbH plus pyrotinib neoadjuvant therapy significantly improved the total (complete response) rate of HER2-positive breast cancer patients for about twice (that of) TCbH with a manageable safety (profile),” the study authors wrote.

The data, which were recently presented at the 2021 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting, included 67 patients who were randomized into either treatment group.

The aim of the study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of the addition of pyrotinib, an irreversible second-generation HER2-targeted tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI), to TCbH versus TCbH alone given as neoadjuvant (pre-treatment therapeutics) treatment in patients with stage 2-3 HER2-positive breast cancer and invasive carcinoma.

Measuring pathologic complete response (defined as no evidence of invasive or in situ disease in the breast or axilla [armpit]) was the main goal of the study. Additional goals included assessing toxicity, event-free survival (time after primary treatment ends that a patient stays free of complication or events that the treatment was supposed to prevent or delay), disease-free survival (the time after treatment without signs of cancer) and objective response rate (percentage of patients with partial and complete responses to the treatment).

From 2019 to 2021, 67 patients with HER2-positive breast cancer were randomized equally into the pyrotinib group or TCbH alone group. Investigators hypothesized that patients treated in the pyrotinib plus TCbH group could have a higher complete response rate than the group that received the triple chemo combination alone. Their hypothesis proved true with the total complete response rate in the treatment group measuring 71.4% versus 36.7% in the TCbH group.

Thirty-four patients received the four-drug combination. As of data cutoff, 21 patients had undergone surgery, seven had not completed treatment, and six withdrew consent and discontinued treatment. Of the 33 patients who received the triplet chemotherapy regimen without pyrotinib, 30 had undergone surgery and three had not completed neoadjuvant therapy.

All the 21 patients in the pyrotinib group who proceeded to surgery achieved a response, while 83.3% of those who received the chemotherapy alone and proceeded to surgery achieved a response.

The most common side effect was diarrhea, with serious events occurring in six cases (28.6%) in the treatment group, most of which were limited to the first treatment cycle. In the control group, three patients (10%) experienced serious diarrhea.

Treatment with pyrotinib and the chemotherapies trastuzumab, docetaxel and carboplatin significantly improved response rates over the triplet chemotherapy regimen alone in the neoadjuvant treatment of patients with HER2-positive breast cancer.

Novel 4-Drug Combo Significantly Improves Treatment Responses in Group of Patients with Breast Cancer

Shari Mycek

When I first heard I had an incurable, but indolent cancer, my world exploded. I couldn’t even wrap my head around it, as they say. It took time to process this information. My world was different now. I woke up thinking about cancer and went to bed thinking about cancer. This couldn’t go on or the stress alone would speed things up. I told my husband I needed to do something to help me sleep. “Maybe I need to watch something funny?” I said.

The next day, my husband surprised me! He bought a full season of a sitcom he knew I loved and hadn’t seen in years. He suggested watching one each night. We cuddled in bed as we laughed together and it felt so good! Just what the doctor ordered. I slept better and didn’t wake up with cancer looming over me every morning. Some mornings, yes, but it was much better.

The National Institute of Health shared a journal article published in the National Library of Medicine, entitled 

Effects of Laughter Therapy on Quality of Life in Patients With Cancer.

They concluded, "Laughter therapy may represent a beneficial, noninvasive complementary intervention in the clinical setting. Further studies are needed to verify the hypotheses generated from this exploratory study.” I knew intuitively this was the case.

Life seems overwhelming after a cancer diagnosis and it drives our schedule. There, are appointments to make, treatments, medications, etc.This is not to mention all the psychological trauma and relationships you are still trying to maintain.

How nice it would be to purposefully include some laughter with someone close to help you remember to smile and better yet, to have a good laugh together? Just like I have recommended setting aside time to deal with your worries, I am recommending allowing yourself the time to include laughter to bolster your resilience. Perhaps renting your favorite comedy movie and watching it with a good friend? Laughing together could be just the medicine you need, without any negative side effects or contraindications, and low and behold, it’s FREE!

Due to the recent current events and the state of today’s world, I now have a new habit. “Doomscrolling,” is a “trendy name for the tendency to consume endless negative news.” I decided, once again, it was time to consciously add some humorous time to my life. “Laughter is the physical manifestation of finding something funny, and it can help to reduce inflammation and stress hormones, improve circulation, and enhance the immune system,” says the 

Wellness Advisory Board member Heidi Hanna, founder of Synergy Brain Fitness, a consulting company that creates cognitive performance programs. Her claims about laughter were based on evidence from studies in publications such as the 

Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology (FASEB) Journal, Medical Hypotheses

Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine

. Hanna said, “To bring the funny to your life, you don’t even need to laugh out loud.” She also said, “Just finding something funny or amusing can have the same benefits.”

Researchers looked at the brain activity of people experiencing something humorous. Laughing stimulates healing gamma waves and can help in different ways. It lowers levels of cortisol, which is a known stress hormone, and simultaneously elevates the “happy” neurotransmitters dopamine and serotonin. Also, they found that when people laughed with others, as opposed to being alone, it was contagious!

Once again, I will deliberately look for ways to laugh during the day. It has helped me before and I believe it will help me again. The stress of “Doomscrolling” is not helpful for my cancer, so I know I need to consciously take charge and try to help myself.Knowing it helped me at the time of my cancer diagnosis, I feel I have read enough research and I’m convinced it will help me again.

I've found that making time for a good laugh each day helped break through the looming thought of cancer. 

Can Laughter Help Me Through Cancer?

Linda Cohen

I am a very lucky and blessed person. My cancer story is unusual for my type of cancer. I had ovarian cancer when I was 37 — 25 years ago.

At the time of diagnosis, the information that I read on the internet was that life expectancy was two years. I cried when I read it. My daughter was 14. I would not live to see her drive, let alone see her grown and independent. My doctor advised me not to put too much stock into what the published data revealed because it was all five years old and not currently accurate.

I traveled through treatment and life a day at a time. I worried about dying. I worried about sickness. I worried about my daughter. And I was so sick. I mourned my hair loss and was concerned that I would never have an adult physical relationship ever again.

I had a hysterectomy and four rounds of chemotherapy. I wanted to stop chemotherapy after the second treatment, but thankfully my oncologist and I had a conversation and he kept me on track with the plan we had made. As time went on, I came to terms with my illness and the possibility of death.

I became very thankful for my life that I had lived and wishedall of my family and loved ones joy in the rest of their life's journey. The song “Thank You” by Dido came to represent so much of what I felt at that time. Even now, when I hear it, I am transported back to that time and that joy and thankfulness for my life. I had such an overwhelming sense of gratitude for my daughter and my family and the love I shared with them, and the beauty of this world and all of the little joys we encountered. I would miss them and miss this life... possibly. I have faith and expect to have a life after death, but what that is exactly is unknown, and to leave this life for the unknown beyond is daunting.

I hadn't lost any person to death who I was close to up to my treatment and diagnosis, so I don't think that I understood that grief, but then two years after my diagnosis, I lost my mom. That grief will never leave me, and I now understand why it was hard for her to hear me discuss my possible death and what I hoped for my daughter, should I not survive. The thought was too much for her to bear. Now I understand that; before I lost my mom, I did not. I thought I could imagine it, but I could not.

I am still thankful to be alive and try to appreciate the wonders of this world, but I have to admit that I rarely think of it these days. But absolutely always when I hear “Thank You” by Dido.

This post was written and submitted by Deborah Harbadin. The article reflects the views of Deborah Harbadin and not of CURE®. This is also not supposed to be intended as medical advice.

Twenty-five years ago, I was diagnosed with ovarian cancer, which sparked fears of leaving my loved ones behind.

Facing My Mortality from Cancer Made Me Grateful for Loved Ones

Deborah Harbadin

“JP Strong” is a phrase my children and I coined after my husband, JP, received a diagnosis of multiple myeloma in 2014. Initially, we used it to show our support as we navigated this journey and joined a new “club” we really didn’t want to be a part of.

JP got his diagnosis in April of that year and, immediately, he wanted to get involved in figuring out how to best manage his disease while remaining optimistic. A friend told him about the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation (MMRF) and an upcoming 5K run in a neighboring town. We registered and set our fundraising goal and within a few days, he’d tripled his goal. Our friends and family all came out that day to support JP and it was an incredibly positive yet emotional experience. It gave him the boost he needed to know that with his positive mindset, paired with the efforts of the MMRF, he could do this.

Several months later, we learned about Moving Mountains for Multiple Myeloma (MM4MM)and he was selected to join a team to trek to Everest Base Camp with fellow patients, doctors and caregivers. Together, we trained daily while JP received his weekly chemotherapy and multiple prescriptions to combat the cancer cells rapidly multiplying in his blood. He never complained, never missed a day of work and never said, I can’t do this.

His resilience and stamina to tolerate this war against his cancer while fundraising and training to climb a mountain, which many healthy individuals would never attempt, were inspiring. Friends were emailing, texting and calling regularly complimenting his relentless fight not only for himself but for other patients. It was so important for JP to remain positive because he never wanted anyone to pity him and he recognized that everyone had their own mountain to climb in life.

Trekking to Everest Base Camp was one of the hardest yet most rewarding, life-changing experiences we had ever accomplished, particularly because JP had endured a stem cell transplant 11 months prior. JP’s involvement with MM4MM continued and we trekked the Fitz Roy in Patagonia, a “14er” in Colorado and the Kenai Peninsula in Alaska, and he plans to join a hike next year.

We are blessed with supportive friends and family who have generously donated to the MMRF year after year, allowing JP to easily surpass his fundraising goals. He has raised close to $150,000 since his diagnosis, 90+% which goes directly to research, which translates to not only extending patients’ lives but also improving their quality of life.

He focuses on not just living but thriving. Our four children have been motivated by their father and they have been involved in our fundraising efforts running in New York City Half Marathons, hosting local bake sales and even getting their friends involved.

JP is also a mentor for patients with new myeloma diagnoses,helping them navigate this new normal, which we often compare to a rollercoaster ride with its many highs and lows. Having patient-to-patient conversations and sharing their personal experiences and the challenges they face is critical. He knows how important it is to maintain a positive outlook and wants to help other patients live their best lives.

Additionally, he wants to raise awareness about the disease to ease the fear most patients with new myeloma diagnoses share.

JP is quite humble. Even his own doctors marvel at his resolve to beat this disease while inspiring others to be “JP Strong.” They recognize the significant impact he has had improving the lives of those affected by multiple myeloma through his actions and dedication to being selfless in his fight.

I have no doubt JP will continue to climb mountains and encourage others until there is a cure someday very soon. He has inspired countless patients over the past eight years, but no one more than me. It is an absolute honor to nominate JP, my husband and best friend, for this recognition as a multiple myeloma warrior!			

Initially, we used my husband's diagnosis to show our support as we navigated this journey and joined a new “club” we really didn’t want to be a part of.  

My Myeloma Hero Is JP Strong

Annamarie Kealy

I am approaching the fifth anniversary of my surprising diagnosis of soft tissue sarcoma in 2020. Here is a journal entry I wrote on Feb. 15, 2022, to highlight my experience at the time.

Anyone familiar with a CT scan — or any of those other pictures of your insides — understands the significance of those words. When awaiting results that can either accelerate or pause your life and plans, that “hold your breath,” takes on a new meaning. Hold off on buying those vacation tickets. Hold off on making a five-year plan. Hold off on planning graduations, weddings and everything in the future. Hold. Your. Breath.
When I’m in the throes of scanxiety… or any anxiety, I think of one of two things that keep me from full-blown panic. With my PET scan in November, I was so worried that I had to ask the tech for some water. One hour. One small tube. Radioactive dye. No ma'am/No sir. It was scary… but he was kind. "Here's some water. You can do this," he said. Kindness — pure kindness. These small gestures matter.
But, back to coping. My first thing: years ago, I realized that most plane accidents occur in the first five minutes (or 300 seconds) of takeoff. That’s five minutes, or counting down from 100, three times. I do it on most flights while thinking “How the hell are we in the air right now?” Or “That plane just took a sharp left,” or “Actually, let me close the window.”

My second technique during scans is to sing the lyrics to the world’s best song, “One Love” by Bob Marley. It’s universal, we’re all connected and the song’s lyrics offer so much hope. Focus on the now, “One Love.” This will be over soon. “One heart.” You’re alive right now. “Let’s get together and feel alright.” Scans, endless pokes and IVs don’t “feel all right.” Nothing about this really does, but the lilting lyrics always calm me down just a little bit.
Hold your breath. One Love. Hold your breath. One Heart. Hold your breath (machine whirring) “Give thanks and praise to the Lord and we will feel alright.” Exhale.
The good news about living your life three months at a time is that everything is urgent but looking at the beginning of the fourth year of this journey, I really do feel “alright.” Tired. Yup. Fatigued. Indeed. New hairstyle (going platinum gray — storm, perhaps). But feeling “alright.” I have a breath to breathe… and that’s enough.
For now, my scans are clear ("Give thanks and 

 to the Lord"...whew). Some scarring in my lungs and dealing with some side effects from my maintenance chemo (I can’t remember anything…unfortunate for someone once nicknamed the “human computer…” although this was when computers were much slower).
My favorite season spring is upon us, and I’m so glad that for the first time since 2019, I can enjoy and appreciate this season. I also get to celebrate another birthday. I did not, at my diagnosis, think I would get this far. But these days, I feel… all right (“irie” for those who know).

This story was written and submitted by Jacqueline Greer. The article reflects the views of Greer and not of CURE®. This is also not supposed to be intended as medical advice.

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A cancer survivor reflects on their journey with soft tissue sarcoma, emphasizing the emotional challenges of "scanxiety" and the coping mechanisms they employ. They describe the significance of small acts of kindness during medical procedures and share personal techniques for managing anxiety, such as counting and singing. Despite the ongoing challenges, including side effects from maintenance chemotherapy, the individual expresses gratitude for clear scans and the ability to enjoy life, particularly the arrival of spring and the celebration of another birthday, which they once thought might not be possible.

Scans for cancer are never easy, especially when waiting for the results, but I’ve found ways to help me through these intimidating moments. 

What I Do to Help With Scanxiety

Jacqueline Greer

It is with great pleasure that I write this nomination in support of Anne Delengowski, M.S.N., RN, AOCN, CCCTM, for the 2022 Extraordinary Healer® Award. I have known Anne since 1984, and now I am the nursing vice president at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital (TJUH) and Anne is the director of oncology education. We work together for all inpatient and outpatient oncology units, and Anne has expanded to supporting an addi- tional three sites.

Anne believes in oncology nurses having the most up-to-date education to provide excellent and safe practice for innovative therapies. Anne is accessible to all staff, always, and often is called on weekends and nights by staff in all areas for safe practice to be supported. Providers will consult Anne when developing new protocols or a complex patient diagnosis and when patients and families are struggling with difficult news or when help is needed to navigate the next challenge for the family.

Anne’s drive to promote oncology nursing has continued to grow as our TJUH health care system has expanded to 14 sites. TJUH Center City is a 900-plus bed academic medical center and serves as a framework for the other oncology acute care hubs. As director of oncology education, Anne has developed and led nursing standardization of care for all sites with the patient and family experience in mind. Transition of care is a passion of Anne’s and critical for patients with cancer. Anne has elevated all nursing at the sites to practice with harmonized care that encompasses the patient and family and supports the engagement of many disciplines.

Anne has developed educational programs for the clinical nurse with clear objectives and outstanding evaluations of learned behaviors achieved by participants. Anne’s passion for educational development of nursing has propelled staff through Anne’s mentorship to develop and conduct clinical research at the bedside. Anne consults and implements the Oncology Nursing Society (ONS) standards of care with all programs, maintains clear objectives and evaluation of objectives in all programs, and adjusts material to be relevant for everyone from the novice to the expert oncology nurse.

TJUH is a National Cancer Institute site that is nationally known for excellence in therapies, and Anne remains the catalyst to prepare nurses to be ready for innovative therapies that need to be administered. 

Anne has educated both nurses and providers on home chemotherapy administration, outpatient autologous bone marrow transplants and now CAR-T cell therapy in the outpatient setting. None of this could be as successful without Anne leading the support in the educational program development and ongoing clinical support of all staff.

Anne has provided programs for TJUH and other sites for nursing and oncology nursing certi- fication. The success rate has increased the department of nursing certification from 11% to 52% over the past four years. Anne’s commitment to excellence in nursing to promote recognition for oncology nursing and improved patient care was demonstrated by her leadership in developing and teaching certification in care coordination and transition of care for the entire department of nursing at TJUH.

The phase 1 clinical trial program is currently being revamped by Anne. She collaborates with clinical research office, provider and nursing staff members across the care continuum to participate in the growing research trials that come at a rapid rate. Anne is committed to having oncology nursing prepared to coordinate and work with clinical trials for the future of oncology care.

The leadership in oncology nursing education Anne provides is recognized locally and nationally. Anne also supports nurses at all levels to submit successful podium presentations, posters to local and national oncology forums, and research proposals to be accepted with national recognition. 

Anne has presented on many themes related to oncology care such as rehabilitation needs, care coordination, sepsis, death and dying, and strict attention to culture needs of diverse populations, just to mention a few.

Anne is chair of the sepsis committee and she participates on many TJUH and enterprise committees such as enterprise professional practice, pharmacy and therapeutics, and oncology event reporting. Anne initiated the development of Schwartz rounds and is now leading the American Society of Clinical Oncology initiative for nursing and program recognition for oncology excellence. 

Anne led nursing through a very successful preparation and presentation of the Foundation for the Accreditation of Cellular Therapy (FACT) for TJUH’s bone marrow program. Anne is the current president of the TJUH Alumni Association and partners with the TJUH School of Nursing on programs and educational events.

Awards received by Anne include the Janet Hindson Lifetime Achievement Award, Nursing Spectrum Nursing Excellence in Teaching, Transplantation and Cellular Therapy (TCT) Meeting Best Abstract Award, and the ONS 2022 Excellence in Cancer Nursing Education Award. For Anne to be considered for this award is most deserving.

Anne’s reputation for oncology nursing excellence has been recognized by hospital leaders. The vice president of patient services specializing in oncology nursing position was created more than five years ago as a catalyst to support the energy and enthusiasm Anne has for nursing education, promoting safe practices and improving care for the oncology patient and family. The former chief nursing officer identified the need for educational support and standardization of nursing practice as the oncology department and innovative therapies were quickly expanding beyond TJUH’s walls. 

Anne is known for her ability to educate all staff, promote nursing research for all levels of nursing expertise and be the driving force for developing safe practices for a multidisciplinary group of providers.

I am humbled in all areas of Anne’s practice, from teaching to providing emotional support to the dying patient and family to moving on to the next oncology hurdle to conquer. I am most honored to recommend Anne Delengowski for the 2022 Extraordinary Healer® Award.

An oncology nurse strives to educate patients and providers to ensure safe cancer treatment. 

Conquering Hurdles in Oncology

JoAnn Silcox, M.S.N., RN, CCCTM

or in the attic sorting through love letters

This post was written and submitted by Clare Olivares. The article reflects the views of Olivares and not of CURE®. This is also not supposed to be intended as medical advice.

When triple-negative breast cancer showed up at my door, I did what I could to prepare for the visit.

When Cancer Knocks on My Door

Clare Olivares

My wife, Francis L. Greene, is my hero. But in all honesty, I’m somewhat at a loss forwords to adequately describe why I hold these strong feelings for her beyond the love of our long marriage.

Francis and I were married quite young, on January 5, 1958, after a year and half of engagement and separation. I knew after graduating from high school with plans to join the United States Air Force that, if I didn’t get her commitment before departing, I may lose her. To my surprise, she agreed and we were off, me to various military assignments and she remaining at home with her mother awaiting my return.

A year and half later, after tours in Missouri and Morocco, we were married —finally.The past nearly 65 years have been full of life, both figuratively and physically, me advancing my military career and she raising our three children.

All went as expected until 2019 when I received a diagnosis of smoldering myeloma and subsequently multiple myeloma in 2020. By then we had retired and were looking forward to visiting family and friends. That was not to be, however, since the side effects of myeloma were takinga toll. My right hip failed and I was unable to drive or carry my weight around the household. This occurred just as COVID-19 came upon us andall nonemergency surgeries were placed on hold.

Too, my hemoglobin count was far too low to consider surgery because of failing kidneys. The consequences of the myeloma and chronic kidney failure essentially converted me into a household invalid requiring the full-time support of my wife. How she managed during those stressful times when I could not drive and was on a weekly treatment schedule 20 miles away is beyond me.

Eventually, conditions allowed for the hip surgery but not without limitations both in motion and weight bearing. I can now drive again, but Francis has continued to carry the life-supporting burden of day-to-day needs and upkeep for the two of us and our household. She has continued this effort over the past three years without complaint, offering encouragement at every opportunity.

I find myself enormously inadequate to fully explain why I think this lady, my wife, should be selected as a Multiple Myeloma Hero, but whether she is or not, she is my hero.Neither of us expected nor understood the demands of support needed for a patient with myeloma, but we have learned and she has never faltered. How I can ever repay such devotion and care is beyond me, but it is time I start acknowledging to others just how much she and her selfless efforts mean to me in these trying times.

I love her dearly and would genuinely appreciate her selection as a Multiple Myeloma Hero by CURE®. Today she certainly has earned the recognition.


I find myself enormously inadequate to fully explain why I think this lady, my wife, should be selected as a Multiple Myeloma Hero, but whether she is or not, she is my hero. 

Myeloma Heroes Come in Many Forms

William H. Greene, PhD

What is Lymphoma – Lymphoma refers to a deadly cancer of your lymphatic system, including the spleen, glands, bone marrow, and lymph nodes (lymph glands). Lymphoma affects all of these areas alongside other organs of your body. i.e., affecting an integral part of your body’s overall germ-fighting network. In this article we attempt to discuss 

In fact, since this cancer resides within your lymph system, it quickly metastasizes and expands to various tissues/organs in your body. Typically, it spreads to your lungs or liver. While it’s possible to develop lymphoma at any change, it is common among children and young adults ranging from 15 to 24. Here we find out what lymphoma is, its signs and symptoms, causes, and risk factors:

The lymphatic system refers to a series of lymph vessels and nodes moving lymph fluid within your body. This fluid contains several cells combating diseases by capturing viruses and bacteria.

The lymph system plays an integral role in upkeeping your body’s immune system; however, lymph cells may become cancerous. Cancer occurring in your lymph system is known as lymphomas. Researches and doctors reveal that there are 

These are further divided into two main categories; non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and Hodgkin’s lymphoma. It may affect any area of your lymphatic system, such as:

While the cause of lymphoma is yet to be found, this cancer kickstarts when an infection-fighting white blood cell (lymphocyte) develops a severe genetic mutation. The mutation commands the WBC to multiply rapidly, thus increasing the number of diseased lymphocytes rapidly.

This unfortunate mutation also enhances the lifespan of the cells. These cells can continue living for prolonged periods, leading to an accumulation of diseased lymphocytes in your lymph nodes. In turn, your lymph nodes, liver, and spleen end up swelling.

The symptoms of lymphoma resemble the symptoms of certain viral diseases. However, unlike the common cold and other viral infections, lymphoma lasts for a prolonged time.

Some patients who have lymphoma may not notice any symptoms; however, others may experience swelling. The swelling may occur in lymph nodes across your body, including your groin, armpits, neck, and abdomen.

The swelling often lacks pain and may start becoming painful as enlarged plans put pressure on other organs, bones, and so on. Often people confuse the symptoms of lymphoma with back pain. This overlap of symptoms may lead to a misdiagnosis.

Therefore, you should consult a doctor if you experience any of the following symptoms:

Pain in the lymph nodes upon consuming alcohol

 Lymphoma commonly occurs in children and young adults. However, certain types of lymphoma occur in children and young adults

Males are more likely to develop lymphoma

 People with immune system diseases or those taking drugs that decrease the performance of their immune system are more susceptible to lymphoma

 Nuclear radiations, as well as some agricultural chemicals, are known to cause Non-Hodgkin lymphoma

 Epstein-Barr virus is known to lead to mononucleosis. It, in turn, increases your risks of developing lymphoma

Lymphoma does not boast any screenings. Therefore, if you experience persistent symptoms resembling the symptoms of viral diseases, consider seeking medical help.

The doctor may question your family medical history to determine the exact cause and severity of your condition. In addition, they will conduct an in-depth physical examination where they inspect your neck, chin, groin, abdomen, and armpits to spot any swelling.

Lastly, your medical consultant may seek signs of infections in your lymph nodes to rule out the cause of the swelling.

By understanding what lymphoma is, it has become easier for people to identify the symptoms. Luckily, this type of cancer is often treatable. Typically the treatment plan for lymphoma depends on the type of lymphoma you’re suffering from and its severity. Your treatment plan may involve immunotherapy, chemotherapy, a bone marrow transplant, medications, and a combination of different treatments. We also have included 

important information about Stage 4 Lymphoma

 that will help a cancer patient navigate these tough waters.

There’s a chance the treatment plan may result in specific side effects. In case that happens, you should consider discussing it with your medical team to relieve symptoms. At the same time, you should ask your doctor about necessary changes to your diet and exercise plans to make you feel better.

Specific exercises like walking, swimming, and so on can help reduce nausea and fatigue occurring due to radiation and chemo. In addition, you can try alternative therapies like guided imagery, meditation, and biofeedback to lower pain levels.

What is Lymphoma - Lymphoma refers to a deadly cancer of your lymphatic system, including the spleen, glands, bone marrow, and lymph nodes (lymph glands).

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