Non-Hodgkin lymphoma (patient information)
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What is Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma?
There are two kinds of lymphoma: Hodgkin disease and Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma is cancer of the lymphoid tissue, which includes the lymph nodes, spleen, and other organs of the immune system. Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma is common in America. Usual symptoms include unexplained weight loss, fever, drenching night sweats and so on. Non-Hodgkin's 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's lymphoma and what are the symptoms of Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma?
Early Non-Hodgkin's 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's lymphoma?
When to seek urgent medical care?
Treatment options
Diseases with similar symptoms
Where to find medical care for Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma?
Directions to Hospitals Treating Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma
Prevention of Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma
What to expect (Outook/Prognosis)?
Copyleft Sources
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000581.htm#Definition