Sam Neill's death: What was the rare blood cancer that Jurassic Park actor battled?

Sam Neill, the New Zealand-born actor famously known for iconic roles in Jurassic Park and The Piano, passed away today (July 13) in Sydney, Australia. He was 78.

Confirming his death, the family said that Neill died suddenly, adding, "It is with immense sadness that the family of Sam Neill share the news of his passing on Monday 13th July, in Sydney, Australia. Sam was surrounded by family and passed with the dignity that has characterised his whole life."

"The loss was sudden and unexpected but blessed by the fact that Sam remained cancer-free," the statement read.

Sam Neill visits the Empire State Building on March 06, 2024 in New York City. File image/AFP

In 2023, Neill had disclosed being diagnosed with angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma (AITL), a rare type of fast-growing blood cancer. The actor had been battling the aggressive disease since 2022. According to his family's statement, he had remained cancer-free before his death. The family did not disclose what caused his death.

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We take a look.

What is AITL?

It stands for Angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma, an aggressive and rare form of blood cancer that affects T lymphocytes (T cells), a type of white blood cell that helps the immune system fight infections.

This fast-growing disease can also spread to other parts of the body, including the liver, lungs or bone marrow. A subtype of peripheral T-cell lymphoma, AITL falls within the broader category of non-Hodgkin T-cell lymphoma, Cleveland Clinic reported.

Unlike many other cancers, AITL affects the immune system itself, increasing the risk of infections and other complications. This aggressive form of blood cancer is commonly diagnosed in older people over the age of 65.

According to a study in the Journal of Family Medicine and Primary Care, non-Hodgkin lymphoma accounts for approximately 5 per cent of head and neck cancers.

What are its symptoms?

The AITL's symptoms can develop quickly, given the fact that it's a fast-growing and rare form of blood cancer. However, the challenge lies in identifying its symptoms, as it often resembles common illnesses, leading to delayed diagnosis. Symptoms associated with AITL include:

Symptoms associated with AITL include:

>>Persistent fever.

>>Sweating at night.

>>Bad skin rashes or itchiness.

>>Unexplained weight loss.

>>Breathing issues or shortness of breath.

>>Swollen lymph nodes in the neck, armpits, or groin.

As AITL targets the lymphatic system, an essential part of the immune system, many patients also develop autoimmune disorders, like immune thrombocytopenia and autoimmune hemolytic anaemia.

How is it treated? Can it be prevented?

This cancer treatment depends on the stages of disease and the patient's age and overall well-being. The treatment options include:

>>Chemotherapy

>>Immunotherapy

>>Targeted therapy

>>Stem cell transplantation in selected patients

>>CAR-T cell therapy for relapsed or treatment-resistant disease.

Cleveland Clinic reports that patients with AITL have no preventable risk factors- meaning there are no ways to prevent it. While one cannot prevent AITL, one can reduce the risk by maintaining a healthy immune system.

Eating fruits, vegetables, whole grains and protein-rich foods is helpful. Physical activity, fitness, and good-quality sleep. Avoid vaping or using tobacco products, including cigarettes and smokeless tobacco. Drinks containing alcohol also need to be limited.

What is AITL's survival rate?

AITL's five-year survival rate is 30-35 per cent. In simple words, 30 to 35 out of 100 people battling the disease are still alive five years after diagnosis. The seven-year survival rate for AITL is 29 per cent, the report noted.

Survival statistics can be stressful to interpret and overwhelming. These survival rates are only estimates based on outcomes among people previously diagnosed with the same disease.

As every person has a different medical history, genetic profile, and response to treatment, these numbers cannot predict how long an individual will live or how they will respond to treatment.

In the case of actor Sam Neill, he was diagnosed with AITL around five years ago. Initially, he went through all the chemotherapy, but after a point in time, it stopped working.

Sam Neill visits the Empire State Building on March 06, 2024, in New York City. File image/AFP

He then began receiving CAR-T cell therapy, an advanced form of immunotherapy that uses a patient's own immune cells to identify and fight cancer. The medical treatment successfully caused his cancer to go into remission, and recent scans showed no detectable cancer before his death, according to reports.

Though the family did not specify the cause of this death, they said that the actor had remained cancer-free.

With inputs from agencies