DIAGNOSIS
When you ask for a diagnosis, the doctor will first ask about your symptoms to determine whether you have anaplastic large-cell lymphoma or not. Also, the specialist will want to know the following:
- When was the first time that you noticed the symptoms or any differences?
- Do you have any swollen glands?
- Is there any discomfort? Where?
- How about hunger? Do you think you’ve lost weight?
- Have you noticed that you’re more fatigued than usual?
- Any bumps on your skin that you’d want to point out? Is there a tingling or itchy feeling?
It is also possible to be diagnosed with ALCL by taking a biopsy of a swollen lymph node in the neck or armpit. It is a quick procedure that doesn’t need hospitalization. Doctors will make a tiny incision in the skin and excise all or portion of the lymph node, or they may extract a specimen with a needle. Afterward, they will use a microscope to examine the cells.
TREATMENT
There are therapies available to assist you, regardless of what kind of ALCL you have. Experts are also hopeful that new and improved options may arise in the future.
Chemotherapy. It is the primary treatment for systemic ALCL, which occurs when the disease spreads to your lymph nodes and other areas of your body.
Stem cell transplant. New stem cells will be injected into your body so that you will produce new cells that are cancer-free.