Lymphoma Misdiagnosis Compensation Claims Solicitors.

Lymphoma is a type of cancer that affects the lymphatic system – including the lymph nodes, bone marrow, thymus, spleen, and tonsils. The lymphatic system is responsible for transporting white blood cells (lymphocytes) throughout the body via a clear fluid called lymph, helping the body to fight illnesses and infections. The lymph fluid is filtered through the lymph nodes (glands) located throughout the body, including the groin, neck, armpits, and pelvis. The lymphocytes within the nodes attack foreign bodies such as bacteria, which is what causes your glands to feel swollen when you are poorly.

Cancer of the lymphatic system occurs when there is an accumulation of cells within one or more of the lymph nodes, resulting in a tumour. The lymphatic system is responsible for fighting disease and providing immunity to infections, therefore patients suffering from lymphatic cancer are also particularly vulnerable to other illnesses and diseases as their immune system is compromised.

Lymphatic cancer is divided into two categories:

• Hodgkin’s Lymphoma – This is the rarest form of lymphoma, accounting for around 20% of all lymphoma cases. It typically affects the lymph nodes in the neck, causing the cells to continuously divide and grow, eventually forming a tumour. When caught early, Hodgkin’s lymphoma is typically treated and controlled successfully.
• Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma – This is the most common form of lymphoma, and is the fifth most common cancer diagnosed in the UK. Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma also involves blood cells behaving abnormally, dividing and growing until a tumour forms, but it can affect any part of the body, not just the lymph nodes.

The symptoms of lymphoma, particularly the early signs of the disease, can be very similar to the symptoms of many, often less serious, conditions. For this reason, the symptoms of lymphoma may be overlooked. However, it is the responsibility of your doctor to take your symptoms seriously and rule out any potentially more serious conditions.

The key symptoms to look out for include:

• Unexplained weight loss
• Loss of appetite
• Rash or itchy skin
• Pain and/or swelling in the abdomen
• Night sweats, excessive sweating, and fever
• Swollen/enlarged lymph nodes
• Swelling/inflammation in the neck
• General fatigue and drowsiness
• Pain in the bones
• Chest pain and shortness of breath
• Unexplained coughing
• Increased illnesses such as colds/flu
• Slower recovery from common viruses

This list is not exhaustive, and not every patient will experience all of the symptoms. However, if you experience any of the above, or any changes in your general energy levels and wellbeing, it’s important to see your GP as soon as possible so that they can carry out an assessment and diagnosis.

Lymphoma occurs when the lymphocytes start to mutate, causing cells to multiply and grow, which eventually forms into a tumour. It is not fully understood why this happens, but a number of potential contributing factors have been identified, including:

• Autoimmune disease such as lupus or coeliac disease
• Weakened immune system due to HIV or an organ transplant
• Helicobacter pylori which affects the lining of the stomach
• A previous diagnosis of cancer elsewhere in the body
• Epstein Barr virus or Human T-Cell Lymphotropic virus

Having one or more of the risk factors does not necessarily mean you will develop lymphoma, but your doctor should be extra vigilant if you fall into one of the above categories and are also presenting with any of the symptoms of lymphoma. Likewise, the disease doesn’t just affect those who are at an increased risk, so anyone displaying symptoms should seek medical advice as soon as possible.

Upon presenting to your GP with symptoms of lymphoma, they will usually perform a physical examination to check for swelling in your lymph nodes, followed by an urgent referral to a specialist. The first step in diagnosing lymphoma is typically for a specialist to perform a biopsy to remove cells from one or more of the affected lymph nodes. The sample is then sent to a pathologist for examination under a microscope to look for the presence of cancerous cells.

If cancerous cells are discovered in the biopsy sample, further testing is then required in order to determine the type of cancer; what stage it is at; and if it has spread. This testing will typically involve carrying out a lot of scans – including magnetic resonance imaging scans (MRI), computed tomography scans (CT), positron emission tomography scans (PET), blood tests, bone marrow samples, and chest x-rays.

Lymphoma is graded from stage 1 to 4 depending on its growth and how far it has spread throughout the body. For example, stage 1 lymphoma is localised to one localised group of lymph nodes, while stage 4 lymphoma has spread throughout the lymphatic system and is also affecting other areas of the body.

Treatment for lymphoma will usually depend on several factors, such as the location of the cancer; the stage it has been graded; how far it has spread, plus the general health and wellbeing of the patient. Treatment options for lymphoma include:

• Chemotherapy – This is the main form of treatment used in lymphoma. It involves -cancer-killing medication being administered intravenously over a period of time, to destroy the cancerous cells. However, it also kills non-cancerous cells and many patients can have side effects such as hair loss, fatigue, vomiting, and weight loss.
• Radiotherapy – This treatment is most effective in the early stages of lymphoma, and it involves the use of radiation to kill cancer cells. As well as killing cancerous cells, radiotherapy can also affect healthy cells too, leading to such side effects as loss of appetite, nausea, diarrhoea, fatigue, and damage to skin and organs.
• Monoclonal antibody therapy – This is a type of immunotherapy which works by triggering the body’s immune system to attack the cancer in a targeted way. It is usually administered intravenously, and side effects can be similar to those of chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

If you feel that you weren’t offered the appropriate treatment for your lymphoma, or that your treatment was delayed due to misdiagnosis, you may be able to claim compensation. Our specialist medical negligence solicitors have extensive experience in helping people like you seek justice and receive compensation.