KUWAIT CITY, Sept 17: On Monday, a Kuwaiti health official revealed that approximately 228 cases of lymphoma, or lymph node cancer, were diagnosed in 2023. Most of these cases require chemotherapy, while some also need radiotherapy and antibody treatments. This information was provided by Dr. Abdulaziz Hamada, Head of the Hematology Department at the Kuwait Cancer Control Center (KCCC) and Chairman of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, in a statement to the Kuwait News Agency (KUNA). The statement was made on the occasion of World Lymphoma Awareness Day, celebrated annually on September 15.

Dr. Hamada explained that lymphoma is a type of blood cancer and is relatively common. According to the central registry at the Kuwait Cancer Control Center, lymphoma ranked fourth among the most common cancers in males and fifth in females from 2010 to 2019, with rates of 5.2 per 100,000 among males and 5.4 per 100,000 among females.

Lymphoma originates in the lymphatic system, which plays a crucial role in the immune system by protecting against diseases and infections. The lymphatic system contains lymph nodes that store white blood cells, including B cells that produce antibodies and T cells that identify and destroy infected or abnormal cells.

While the exact causes of lymphoma are unknown, it may have genetic links. Risk factors include advancing age, which increases the likelihood of cancer-causing DNA mutations, as well as human immunodeficiency, exposure to chemicals and radiation, inflammation, and infection.

Symptoms of lymphoma include painless swelling of lymph nodes (located under the armpits, in the neck, or above the thighs), persistent fatigue, itchy skin, excessive night sweats, unexplained weight loss, fever, shortness of breath, and a family medical history of the disease. Dr. Hamada emphasized the importance of raising awareness, early detection, and treatment to prevent the disease from worsening.

The celebration held at the Kuwait National Library aimed to highlight the importance of raising awareness about lymphoma, improving diagnostic methods, advancing treatments, and supporting patients. The event included lectures and presentations on diagnosis and treatment by local and visiting experts from France, as well as patient experiences from the past decade.