Lymphoma can lead to death primarily through the progression of the disease itself and the complications it causes in the body. Here is how lymphoma can kill you:
How Lymphoma Causes Death
- Organ Failure: Lymphoma cells can invade and damage vital organs such as the liver, kidneys, lungs, and bone marrow. When these organs are affected, they may stop functioning properly, leading to organ failure which can be fatal
- Infections: Lymphoma and its treatments often weaken the immune system, making the body more vulnerable to serious infections. Infection is one of the most common causes of death in lymphoma patients because the immune system cannot effectively fight off pathogens
- Bleeding: When lymphoma invades the bone marrow, it can cause thrombocytopenia, a condition where there are too few platelets to stop bleeding. Severe bleeding, including internal bleeding or bleeding in the brain, can be life-threatening
- Chemical Imbalances: Advanced lymphoma can disrupt the balance of salts and chemicals in the bloodstream due to organ dysfunction, particularly in the liver and kidneys. This imbalance can contribute to the body's decline and death
- Respiratory Failure: Lymphoma infiltration in the lungs can cause respiratory problems, including shortness of breath and respiratory failure, which can be fatal
Symptoms Near Death
In the final stages, symptoms worsen and include extreme fatigue, severe pain, trouble breathing, confusion, loss of appetite, irregular pulse, and mottled skin. These reflect the body shutting down as lymphoma advances
. In summary, lymphoma kills by progressively damaging essential organs, weakening the immune system leading to fatal infections, causing bleeding complications, and disrupting bodily chemical balances, ultimately leading to organ failure and death
