|  | Cancer | Lymphoma

What Is Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma?

Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma is a form of cancer of the lymphatic system. It is much more common than the other major form of lymphatic cancer, Hodgkin's lymphoma. There are approximately 29 different types of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, grouped according to several classification systems. The types differ mainly in the specific origin of the cancer (type of cells affected) and how fast-growing the cancer is.

  1. Significance

    • Each year, between 55,000 and 70,000 cases of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma are diagnosed in the United States. The disease has steadily become more common since the 1970s, but scientists do not know why this is. Just under 20,000 people die from non-Hodgkin's lymphoma every year, but as treatments have improved over time, the survival rate has increased.

    Effects

    • The first--and often only--symptom of early non-Hodgkin's lymphoma is usually enlarged, painless lymph nodes on the neck, armpit or groin. The lymph nodes usually feel firm and rubbery, and do not move easily under the skin. Other symptoms that may occur include fever, night sweats, weight loss, abdominal pain and swelling, chest pain, itchy skin and fatigue.

    Identification

    • Your doctor may suspect you have non-Hodgkin's lymphoma based on the symptoms you describe and a physical examination, but further tests are required to confirm the diagnosis. Blood and urine tests can be used to rule out infections that may cause symptoms similar to those of lymphoma. To be certain of the diagnosis, a lymph node biopsy is usually performed. This test involves taking a sample of the enlarged lymph node or nodes so that the cells can be examined microscopically for signs of cancer.

    Prevention/Solution

    • Several treatments are used for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma; most patients with this disease will require more than one treatment to achieve remission. Chemotherapy and radiation treatments are the most commonly used methods to treat lymphoma. Both methods attempt to treat the disease by killing cancerous cells, but health tissue may be damaged in the process. This can cause significant side effects, including nausea, vomiting and hair loss. Bone marrow transplants are also used in the treatment of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Some patients who have very slow-growing forms of lymphoma may not require treatment for some time.

    Considerations

    • Discovering an enlarged lymph node can be nerve-wracking, especially for people who know someone who has or had lymphatic cancer. However, the vast majority of swollen lymph nodes are caused by easily-treated infections. Still, it is important to know the warning signs of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, because treatment is much more likely to succeed if the disease is diagnosed early. Lymph nodes enlarged by cancer are almost always painless, immobile and feel rubbery.

Lymphoma - Related Articles