Friday, March Twenty-Second, Two Thousand and Thirteen

I've been getting a lot of questions about my lymphoma and how the Epstein-Barr virus (Mononucleosis) plays a role.  So I thought to myself, I should add some more information for my followers!  Trust me, I know how hard it is to understand all of the medical jargon so I hope this helps clear things up a bit :-)

I have Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma with a subgroup of Plasmablastic.  Phew, that is a mouthful!

Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is a cancer of B cells, a type of white blood cell responsible for producing antibodies. It is the most common type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma among adults. An underlying immunodeficiency, is a significant risk factor. Infection with Epstein-Barr virus has also been found to contribute to the development of DLBCL.

The risk of developing lymphoma is markedly increased after solid organ transplantation e.g kidney, liver, heart or lung transplants. These lymphomas are medically termed ‘Post-Transplant Lymphoproliferative Disorders’ or PTLDs.
 

Post-transplant lymphomas are almost always related to infection by the Epstein Barr Virus (EBV). Infection by the Epstein Barr Virus causes a transformation of B-cells which becomes cancerous. In normal individuals other cells of the immune system can tackle the EBV infection, but for organ transplants high doses of drugs that suppress the immune system must be administered. With nothing to control the infection, the chances of developing lymphomas increase.

More than 90% of adults are exposed to the Epstein Barr virus during some point in their life.  Once infected with the Epstein Barr virus, a person generally is infected for life - though the virus will in most cases remain dormant.  Last year I either contracted EBV or it flared up (we don't know exactly). My immune system couldn't fight the virus so it multiplied and transformed my B cells which caused DLBCL.  In a "healthy" person, your immune system would have fought the virus.  In my case, because of my compromised immune system, my body has a harder time fighting off viruses and infections.

 

~Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift