lymphoma awareness |View full version: Awareness of lymphoma in Algeria

View full version: Awareness of lymphoma in Algeria



Morjane
Largely unknown to the general public, lymphomas are a form of blood cancer. To publicize this disease in Algeria, the Nour Doha Association seizes World Lymphoma Day, which coincides with 15 September of each year, to raise public awareness of this pathology "unknown and difficult to detect, but which Heals itself. "

In this sense, this association organizes today at the Mercure Hotel a scientific meeting led by specialists, in particular the CPMC (Centre Pierre et Marie Curie), to inform about this disease, its symptoms and its care in Algeria. Lymphoma is a form of cancer that can occur at any age. Today, his diagnosis and management by the hematologists are well established.

That is why the association Nour Doha "hopes, through this meeting which brings together a hundred specialists, to promote a diagnosis early enough to allow a suitable and effective treatment for this cancer unknown despite a Increase its frequency ".
The most widespread form of blood cancer, the 3rd most common cancer in children and the 6th incidence of cancer, its frequency has increased in recent years and the number of new cases has almost doubled, according to data from the association Nour Doha. "But despite the magnitude of the disease, it is still highly unknown to the general public who even ignores that it is cancer," she says.

Like most tumors, the exact origins of lymphomas are not accurately known. According to specialists, the symptoms revealing this disease remain relatively common and can easily be confused with those of other less serious illnesses, such as a flu whose symptoms persist despite treatments. For the Association Nour Doha, World Lymphoma Day is part of the desire to continue the exchanges committed until then and to communicate about the disease, its symptoms and its care, because the situation in Algeria is equally problematic than elsewhere, she notes.
The association which militates to defend the right of the cancer patient to an effective treatment and a good care also wishes to make this day an opportunity to improve the situation of the Algerian sick and an opportunity to make Know about this disease and develop the treatment.

To every patient, his treatment!

"Prior to any treatment, the diagnosis must be made accurately through a biopsy [removal of diseased tissue] from a ganglion or injured organ." Carried out in the most often benign surgery, this sampling will help to specify the characteristics of the tumor cells, the specialists specify. The treatment therefore depends on the type of lymphoma (indolent or aggressive) but also on different prognostic factors of the disease (stage, number of lymph nodes, extension to certain organs, general state of health, age of the patient...).

Another peculiarity of lymphoma treatments is that the start-up of the treatment can in some cases be shifted in time compared to the diagnosis. This is mainly the case with certain indolent lymphomas, for which a period of observation may be indicated. This "wait and see" period is possible when the patient can lead a normal life and has few symptoms, even if he has to undergo various medical examinations, consult his doctor regularly and report any new symptoms.

For most cases and for aggressive lymphomas, rapid treatment is, on the contrary, recommended.

The natural evolution of indolent lymphomas [slow growth] is better controlled by current treatments, although in this case it is not possible to talk about healing. Conversely, those aggressive [whose growth is rapid] can be cured in almost half of the cases. This ranged from 80 to 90% cure for localized cancers in patients with no other prognostic factor adverse to 30-40% of cure in the face of extensive cancer in a particularly elderly patient.

Chemotherapy, radiotherapy and bone marrow transplant

The first weapon against lymphoma is the administration of chemotherapy. This cocktail helps to destroy the cancer cells by preventing their proliferation. The protocol varies according to lymphoma and is individualized for each patient. Chemotherapy agents may be administered alone or in combination; Which is more often the case. Chemotherapy can now be supplemented by the administration of less aggressive treatments obtained by genetic engineering: monoclonal antibodies. Radiotherapy is today very little used to eliminate cancer cells except in the face of Hodgkin's disease in addition to chemotherapy to complete the treatment on the groups of lymph nodes initially affected by the disease. But it is sometimes also necessary to prescribe very high doses of chemotherapy to overcome cancer cells. This will also destroy the healthy cells of the bone marrow. Thus, blood stem cell transplants are sometimes necessary. 

This can be done through stem cell transplants from a donor, often a parent, or from the patient itself (cells are taken before intensive treatment begins). The autograft helps to consolidate the treatment and reduce the risk of relapse.

The contribution of monoclonal antibodies

Monoclonal antibodies marked a turning point in the management of lymphomas. Products in laboratories, these drugs mimic natural antibodies and are able to bind to specific receptors located on the surface of a cancerous cell. Once moored, this antibody is capable of destroying it or inducing an immune response from the organism. They can be administered alone or in combination with chemotherapy. They are also able to transport toxins or radioisotopes capable of destroying the cancer cell.