There are two main categories of lymphomas; Hodgkin's lymphoma and non-Hodgkin's lymphomas. Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, or NHL, has many subtypes, but it is a type of cancer that starts in cells called lymphocytes that are involved in the immune system and are found in the lymph nodes, spleen and bone marrow.
Significance
In 2009, the American Cancer Society estimated that in the United States, approximately 65,980 individuals were diagnosed with NHL, putting the average American's risk of getting the disease at 1 in 50. This disease makes up approximately 4 percent of all cancers in the United States, according to the American Cancer Society. Although both adults and children can be diagnosed with NHL, more than 95 percent of diagnoses are in adults, and half of NHL patients are older than 65.
Features
Symptoms of NHL can include swollen lymph nodes in the groin and neck, a swollen abdomen, itchy skin, and a group of symptoms called "B symptoms," which include drenching night sweats, fever, and weight loss, according to the American Cancer Society. If lymphoma starts in the brain, it may cause headaches and personality changes; and if lymphoma starts in the chest, it may cause coughing and difficulty breathing.
Diagnosis
Tests that aid in the diagnosis of NHL include blood work, including a CBC, or complete blood count; a lymph node biopsy; a bone marrow biopsy; and liver function tests. A complete physical exam and healthy history, as well as blood chemistry studies to examine substances released from the blood may also be done, according to the National Cancer Institute.
Treatment
The National Cancer Institute lists four standard treatments for NHL, including watchful waiting, radiation therapy, chemotherapy and targeted therapy. The specific treatment chosen can depend on the stage and extent of disease, the subtype of NHL and the individual's general health. Watchful waiting involves simply monitoring the course of the disease until symptoms become apparent. Radiation is the use of high-energy rays to kill cancer cells and slow down growth of the disease; chemotherapy uses drugs to kill cancer cells and control disease; and targeted therapy uses medications that attack certain parts of cancer cells while doing as little harm as possible to healthy normal cells. One or more of these standard treatments can be used.
Prognosis
The National Cancer Institute describes the prognosis of the disease as depending on the stage of the cancer, the type of NHL, and the individual's age and overall health. The American Cancer Society states that the percentage of people who survive five years after their diagnosis with NHL is 65 percent. This is also referred to as the "five-year survival rate." For NHL, the 10-year survival rate is 54 percent.
