Non hodgkin’s lymphoma is a cancer of cells that make up the body’s immune system. The symptoms vary, but they can include swollen lymph nodes (lymphomas), fever, night sweats and weight loss.
GPs usually diagnose lymphoma by doing a physical exam and asking about your past health and family history. They may also order blood tests and a chest x-ray, and a biopsy to confirm the diagnosis. A biopsy is a minor surgical procedure where a sample of tissue from the lymph node or other part of the body is taken and examined under a microscope. The biopsy can tell if you have a low-grade or high-grade lymphoma, or if it has spread to other parts of the body (stage).
Some people who have mild, indolent (slow-growing) types of lymphoma do not need treatment right away. This is called watchful waiting. These people are closely watched for signs and symptoms that the lymphoma is coming back or getting worse. If these occur, treatment will be needed.
If you have more advanced, aggressive non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, treatment may involve chemotherapy, radiation therapy or targeted therapy. Targeted therapy uses drugs or other substances that attack specific cancer cells with less harm to normal cells. It can be combined with other treatments, such as monoclonal antibody therapy or steroid therapy. Biological therapy boosts your own immune system to fight the cancer.
Your doctor will use the results of your biopsy and other tests to find out the type and stage of your lymphoma. This information helps your doctor decide what treatment to give you.
If the lymphoma is in your groin or underarm area, surgery to remove the affected lymph nodes is sometimes recommended. This is especially true if you have B-cell lymphoma or diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, because these types of lymphoma can spread quickly to these areas.
For most people, treatment for non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma involves chemotherapy, radiation therapy or both. Sometimes a stem cell transplant is used to treat certain types of lymphoma.
Some people have side effects from cancer treatment that last for months or years. These are called late effects. They can include problems with your hair, nails or eyes, and problems with the way you walk or move. Your doctor will give you medicines to help manage these side effects.
You are more likely to develop a non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma if you have an immune disorder, take certain medicines or have had a long-term infection such as hepatitis C virus (Hep C), shingles, herpes simplex virus, HIV or AIDS. You are also more likely to develop a non-Hodgkin’s cancer if a first-degree relative has had the condition. For more information, see Causes of Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma.
