Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma and Railroad Injuries
Chemicals like benzene could increase the risk of having Non-Hodgkin lymphoma among railroad workers. This chemical is found in diesel exhausts and is used in products like lubricants, thinners minerals spirits, degreasers and paints.
The cancer causes blood cells to multiply rapidly, spread without order and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma cause lymphatic tissue tumors. It can also affect the spleen as well as bone marrow.
Signs and symptoms
Lymphoma is a type of cancer that begins when lymphocyte cells in your immune system, which shields you from infection, begin to mutate and begin to grow out of control. Normally lymphocytes undergo the same cycle of life: Old lymphocytes die, and new lymphocytes develop to replace them. In non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, however, the lymphocytes continue to form and fill your lymph nodes. If the lymphoma spreads to your organs, such as the liver and spleen it can cause pain and swelling.
Sometimes, the lymphoma could spread to other parts of your body, such as the brain and spinal cord. If this happens, it may cause headache or trouble with thinking, weakness in certain parts of the body, and changes in your personality.
Although there is no widely-recommended screening test for Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma it is advisable to see your doctor if you are experiencing painless and enlarged lymph nodes in your neck, armpit, or groin. Other signs include a constant fever and a sudden loss of weight. The condition is often mistaken for other ailments, so it’s imperative to seek an accurate diagnosis from your physician.
Diagnosis
A health professional can diagnose non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma by looking at your symptoms and conducting a physical examination. They may also order an examination of your blood to determine how many different types of blood cells are present in your body, referred to as a complete blood count (CBC). This test can help doctors determine whether the cancer has spread and in which areas.
A physical exam may also reveal swollen nodes, a swollen spleen or liver, or a lump in the pelvis or stomach. A physical examination may reveal a persistent fever or inexplicably weight loss. In some instances doctors may use imaging tests like a CT scan to detect signs of lymphoma.
Doctors can also conduct an aspiration or biopsy of the bone marrow in order to determine if the cancer has spread. The bone marrow is the soft, spongy tissues that form blood cells within your bones. They may also administer an lumbar-syringe if they suspect that the cancer has spread to your cerebrospinal liquid, which is the fluid that surrounds the spinal cord and brain.
Treatment
There are a variety of treatment options for non-Hodgkin lymphoma depending on the type and grade. These cancers typically begin in the lymph nodes (which are located in your neck, armpit and groin). They may also be located in other areas of your body, for example the spleen or liver.
Your doctor will perform a physical examination and may require blood tests, imaging studies, and other laboratory tests in order to detect signs of lymphoma. They will also determine the degree. A biopsy is a procedure in which your doctor removes the lymph node tissue for examination by a pathologist.
Chemotherapy drugs are generally the first choice of treatment for patients with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. These are medicines that destroy cancer cells that are rapidly growing. The drugs are administered orally into a vein. Your doctor may also prescribe other treatments for cancer, such as radiation therapy or immunotherapy.
These treatments utilize substances created by your body or in a laboratory to help your immune system fight cancer. A railroad injury lawyer could help you obtain compensation from the railroad company which exposed you chemical substances while on the job. Compensation could pay for medical bills, future needs in addition to lost wages and other damages.
Prognosis
Your prognosis is determined by the stage and type of lymphoma. Your doctor will determine the kind by examining the lymph nodes, bone marrow and other organs. Whether the cancer originates in B cells or T cells also helps with diagnosis and treatment.
B cells are a type of white blood cell that creates antibodies to fight infection. B-cell lymphomas originate in the lymph glands and extend to the rest of the body. Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is the most common non-Hodgkin lymphoma that accounts for 30 percent of cases. It can also spread to other organs like the liver and lungs. There are several subtypes of DLBCL that include germinal center B-cell-like (GCB) and activated B-cell-like (ABC).
Indolent lymphomas have a favorable outlook due to their slow growth. Your doctor may recommend that you monitor your cancer instead of immediately treating it. This is known as waiting and watching. You will be examined regularly to determine whether your lymphoma is changing. If the lymphoma does change, your healthcare team will begin treatment.
Compensation
The Federal Employers Liability Act allows railroad workers who are diagnosed with cancer or another chronic disease that is caused by exposure to carcinogenic chemicals while on the job to submit claims. A lawyer for lymphoma on the railroad could help them obtain compensation for medical expenses, lost wage as well as future needs. discomfort and pain.
The symptoms of Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma may include swollen lymph nodes in the neck, armpits, or the groin, and an inflamed belly (abdominal) area. A doctor will usually order imaging tests like X-rays, an MRI or CT scan to check for abnormal cells as well as the site of the disease. A bone marrow biopsy could also be required to look for cancer cells in the bone marrow.
Recent studies have shown that significant exposure to Roundup, the glyphosate-based weed killer produced by Monsanto can cause Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. Railroad maintenance of way employees often have significant exposure to this herbicide, as they spray the track’s right of way and in yards. A FELA lawyer can assist workers who have been diagnosed with this or another work-related condition by gathering evidence to show that their employer’s negligence caused the injury or illness.