Non-Hodgkin lymphoma (patient information): Difference between revisions
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==How to know you have Non-Hodgkin lymphoma?== | ==How to know you have Non-Hodgkin lymphoma?== | ||
:*Lymph nodes biopsy and a series of tests on samples: Many of the symptoms of Non-Hodgkin lymphoma are not specific enough to say for certain. Other health problems may also cause these symptoms. So biopsy on lymph nodes may be the most valuable test. The goal of a biopsy is to get enough of a sample to identify the diagnosis, as well as the type of the disease. Usual types of biopsy include excisional or incisional biopsy, fine needle aspiration (FNA) or core needle biopsy and bone marrow aspiration and biopsy. After checked under the microsope by the pathologists, sometimes the samples need to further test by a series of tests such as immunohistochemistry, flow cytometry, fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) and so on. | |||
:*Images tests such as computed tomography (CT) scan, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), positron emission tomography (PET) scan, ultrasound, chest-x-ray and bone scan: The goal of these image tests are to help find out the extent of the Non-Hodgkin lymphoma and determine the stage of the disease. | |||
==When to seek urgent medical care?== | ==When to seek urgent medical care?== | ||
Revision as of 16:31, 4 August 2009
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What is Non-Hodgkin lymphoma?
There are two kinds of lymphoma: Hodgkin's disease and Non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Non-Hodgkin lymphoma is cancer of the lymphoid tissue, which includes the lymph nodes, spleen, and other organs of the immune system. Non-Hodgkin lymphoma is common in America. Usual symptoms include unexplained weight loss, fever, drenching night sweats and so on. Non-Hodgkin lymphoma can be diagnosed by biopsy. Treatment includes radiation therapy, chemotherapy, bone marrow or peripheral blood stem cell transplantation and a combination of them.
How do I know if I have Non-Hodgkin lymphoma and what are the symptoms of Non-Hodgkin lymphoma?
Early Non-Hodgkin lymphoma does not have any symptoms. People may notice one or more of the following symptoms as the tumor developing or when detected by regular examinations:
- Fever
- Night sweats
- Unexplained weight loss
- Severe itchiness
- Painless swelling of the lymph nodes in the neck, armpits, or groin
Other health problems may also cause these symptoms. Only a doctor can tell for sure. A person with any of these symptoms should tell the doctor so that the problems can be diagnosed and treated as early as possible.
Who is at risk for Non-Hodgkin lymphoma?
Clinical data has suggested that the development of Non-Hodgkin lymphoma is related to several factors.
- Immune system deficiency: People with weakened immune systems, such as people who receive organ transplants or infected with HIV, have an increased risk for non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
- Autoimmune diseases: Some autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), and others have been linked with an increased rate of non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
- Certain infections such as T-cell leukemia/lymphoma virus (HTLV-1), Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)
- Exposure of chemicals such as benzene, certain herbicides and insecticides, exposure to radiation
- Bad life-style: Overweight, obese, diet poor in vegetables.
- Age: Most cases of Non-Hodgkin lymphoma occur in people older than 60.
- Gender: Non-Hodgkin lymphoma occurs slightly more often in men than in women.
- Geography: Worldwide, non-Hodgkin lymphoma is more common in developed countries, with the United States and Europe having the highest rates.
How to know you have Non-Hodgkin lymphoma?
- Lymph nodes biopsy and a series of tests on samples: Many of the symptoms of Non-Hodgkin lymphoma are not specific enough to say for certain. Other health problems may also cause these symptoms. So biopsy on lymph nodes may be the most valuable test. The goal of a biopsy is to get enough of a sample to identify the diagnosis, as well as the type of the disease. Usual types of biopsy include excisional or incisional biopsy, fine needle aspiration (FNA) or core needle biopsy and bone marrow aspiration and biopsy. After checked under the microsope by the pathologists, sometimes the samples need to further test by a series of tests such as immunohistochemistry, flow cytometry, fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) and so on.
- Images tests such as computed tomography (CT) scan, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), positron emission tomography (PET) scan, ultrasound, chest-x-ray and bone scan: The goal of these image tests are to help find out the extent of the Non-Hodgkin lymphoma and determine the stage of the disease.
When to seek urgent medical care?
Treatment options
Diseases with similar symptoms
Where to find medical care for Non-Hodgkin lymphoma?
Directions to Hospitals Treating Non-Hodgkin lymphoma
Prevention of Non-Hodgkin lymphoma
What to expect (Outook/Prognosis)?
Copyleft Sources
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000581.htm#Definition