The Lymphoma Cancer
Lymphoma is divided into two separate categories, non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) and Hodgkin Lymphoma (HL).
The two differ from each other in several important ways. Regardless of the lymphoma type, Sheba Medical Cancer Center is dedicated to providing all of our patients with world class medicine with a personal touch. We achieve this by retaining expert, caring staff and personalizing all care to our patients’ unique situations and needs.
- Radiation exposure
- Exposure to pesticides and certain other chemicals
- Autoimmune diseases, such as HIV infection
- Age of 60 or older
- Family history
- History of mononucleosis
- HIV infection
- Age of 60 or older
NHL Symptoms
Signs and symptoms of NHL include:
- Swelling of one or more lymph node without pain
- Night sweats
- Fatigue
- Swollen and/or painful liver and spleen
- Skin itchiness or rash
HL Symptoms
Signs and symptoms of HL include:
- Unexplained weight loss
- Persistent cough
- Fatigue
- Swollen and/or painful liver and spleen
- Shortness of breath
- Skin itchiness or rash
NHL typically develops in the lymphatic tissues and lymph nodes and can be either aggressive or indolent, meaning it progresses slowly.
NHL is divided into three major types. B-cell lymphoma begins in the B lymphocytes, cells that produce antibodies in the immune system, and makes up about 85% of all NHL cases. T-cell lymphoma affects T lymphocytes, while NK-cell lymphoma involves natural killer cells, responsible for attacking cancer cells and cells infected by viruses.
Hodgkin lymphoma is a cancer of the lymphocytes, a type of white blood cell, and the bone marrow, where blood cells are produced. It is typically very treatable and is characterized by abnormal lymphocytes, which tend to gather and form masses in the lymph nodes and other areas of lymphatic tissue. If this continues, there is eventually no space or resources for normal lymphocytes and other blood cells. The disease is also distinguished by the presence of Hodgkin cells and Reed-Sternberg cells, types of giant cells that are very abnormal.
Lymphoma Treatment in Israel
Therapy for NHL and HL can be with traditional or targeted chemotherapy, radiation, and bone marrow stem cell transplants. Sheba Medical Cancer Center is proud to have a state of the art Bone Marrow Clinic staffed by experts and equipped with the latest transplant techniques. Bone marrow transplants may be done with bone marrow provided from family members or unrelated donors.
We also have advanced techniques for the staging and analysis of lymphoma, included cytogenetic profiles, MRI, CT, and PET-CT. This is in addition to histological and pathological analysis.
Whatever treatment options are used, our patients always receive complete care from a multidisciplinary team of oncologists, hematologists, radiation oncologists, nursing, and support staff. Our teams are in constant communication and collaboration with their clinician and research colleagues in order to present our patients with the best possible treatments.
Staff
Dr. Meirav Kedmi is the director of the Lymphoma Service within the Department of Hematology. Dr. Kedmi received her medical degree from the Hebrew University. She is a specialist in both internal medicine and hematology and has undergone training at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York.
