Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma

Non-Hodgkin lymphoma (also known as NHL) is a group of blood cancers that includes all types of lymphoma except Hodgkin's lymphoma. Symptoms include enlarged lymph nodes, fever, drenching sweats, unintended weight loss, itching, and constantly feeling tired. The enlarged lymph nodes are usually painless. The sweats are most common at night.

Causes

The cause of NHL is often unclear. However, it is linked to a number of risk factors, including older age, male sex, white ethnicity, high body mass index, and certain infections such as HIV/AIDS and Epstein-Barr virus. It is also associated with certain genetic diseases, such as Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome and Ataxia telangiectasia, and it is more common in people with immune system problems or who take immunosuppressive medication.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis, often made by lymph node biopsy, is based on the type and characteristics of the malignant cells, their location within the lymph nodes, and the presence of other cells, such as immune system cells and fibroblasts. The diagnosis can be challenging because the necessary samples may be difficult to obtain and the complex architecture of the lymph nodes can be damaged during the biopsy.

Treatment

Treatment depends on whether the lymphoma is slow-growing (indolent) or aggressive (fast-growing). Slow-growing lymphomas may be left untreated until symptoms develop, but aggressive lymphomas require immediate treatment. Treatment options include radiation therapy, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, targeted therapy, stem cell transplant, and surgery.

Prognosis

The survival rate for NHL varies widely, depending on the lymphoma type, stage, age of the patient, and other variables. The overall five-year survival rate for people with NHL is 71%, while the overall ten-year survival rate is 60%.

See also

• Hodgkin's lymphoma
• Leukemia
• Multiple myeloma

References

Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma Resources
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