Blood Diseases

Blood Disorders

Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma

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Greenebaum Cancer Center: Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma
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What is non-Hodgkin's lymphoma?

Non-Hodgkin's disease is a type of lymphoma, which is a cancer in the lymphatic system.

Non-Hodgkin's disease causes the cells in the lymphatic system to abnormally reproduce eventually causing tumors to grow. Non-Hodgkin's disease cells can also spread to other organs.

There are several types of non-Hodgkin's lymphomas, which are classified by how fast they grow.

What are the symptoms of non-Hodgkin's disease?

The following are the most common symptoms for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, however, each individual may experience symptoms differently:

painless swelling of lymph nodes in neck, underarm, and groin
fever
night sweats
fatigue
weight loss
itching of the skin
recurring infections

The symptoms of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma may resemble other blood disorders or medical problems, such as influenza or other infections. Consult your physician for a diagnosis.

What are the risk factors for non-Hodgkin's lymphomas?

Suggested risk factors include:

genetic disease of the immune system
unprotected exposure to strong sunlight
high-fat, low-fiber diet
smoking
excessive alcohol consumption
environmental factors such as radiation, chemicals, and infections
organ transplantation
infections with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) or human T-cell leukemia/lymphoma virus (HTLV-1)
infections with malaria
history of infectious mononucleosis (caused by an infection with the Epstein-Barr virus)
Helicobacter pylori bacterium, which has been identified as a cause of stomach ulcers

What causes non-Hodgkin's lymphoma?

No specific cause has been identified.

How is non-Hodgkin's lymphoma diagnosed?

In addition to a complete medical history and physical examination, diagnostic procedures for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma may include:

additional blood tests and other evaluation procedures
x-rays of the chest, bones, liver, and spleen
biopsy of the lymph nodes, bone marrow, and other sites
lymphangiograms - x-rays of the lymphatic system
computed tomography scan
ultrasonography scan

Treatment for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma:

Specific treatment for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma will be determined by your physician(s) based on:

your overall health and medical history
extent of the disease
your tolerance for specific medications, procedures, or therapies
expectations for the course of the disease
your opinion or preference

Treatment may include:

radiation therapy
chemotherapy

This page was last updated on: January 29, 2008.

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