This year's report focuses on lymphomas, one of the fastest growing cancers diagnosed. Little is known about how the disease is acquired, although it is thought to affect those with weakened immune systems, which include the elderly and those with AIDS.

Since 1991, statistics show a slow but steady decline in cancer rates and deaths, overall. However, the longer a person lives, the greater their risk for developing cancer. Since our population is growing and more people are living longer, the actual numbers are rising. This is particularly relevant for Calvert County, where residents 65 and older will increase three-fold to 18,700 by 2020.

During the past few years, diagnosis of lymphoma (see Q&A section for definitions) has increased nationally and locally. It is the second fastest growing cancer in the US in terms of mortality rates. The two types of lymphomas – Hodgkin's and Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma (NHL) are identified through biopsy (taking a small tissue sample from the affected area) and highly sophisticated blood tests.

It is estimated that in 2002 there will be 53,900 NHL and 7000 Hodgkinís newly diagnosed and a total of 25,800 deaths. The probability of developing a NHL increases with age: for men 40-59, 1 in 208, 60-79, 1 in 81; for females 40-59, 1 in 317, 60-79, 1 in 102. At the same time, the five-year survival rate on NHL increased dramatically with the addition of new chemotherapy drugs from 44 percent in 1974-1976 to 80 percent in 1992-1997.

Researchers are finding that younger patients with fewer nodes affected who are in good health and are diagnosed early have better survival. However, researchers have also determined that the elderly can have significant survival rates with aggressive treatment if their other diseases are managed and they are monitored closely during cancer treatment for side effects.

The gold standard treatment for earlier stages of Hodgkinís lymphoma (when it hasnít spread to other organs) is radiation therapy after extensive surgical staging. Radiation over a larger area is recommended for patients with more advanced disease. Studies are being done to determine the benefits of smaller fields of radiation with shorter courses of chemotherapy to lessen the chances of another cancer. One chemotherapy trial showed an overall survival of 97 percent at five years and 88 percent at 10 years.

The future holds promise especially as clinicians hone their ability to identify and stage the various forms of lymphoma. Researchers are beginning to group characteristics (such as age, overall health and the stage of the disease) and genetic patterns to develop new chemotherapy regimens. Newer treatments are looking at using higher doses of chemotherapy drugs currently available and combining different drugs.

Calvert Memorial Hospital is committed to providing residents of the Southern Maryland region with cutting edge information that can be easily understood, opportunities for education on cancer prevention, screening for early detection and comprehensive treatment with a cancer diagnosis.

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