Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, or NHL, is a cancer of the blood that affects lymph nodes and sometimes organs. Complications arise from the reaction of the body to the cancer, factors released by the cancer, and from growth of the tumor compressing nearby structures or infiltrating organs. Complications may also arise from therapies such as chemotherapy, radiation and bone marrow transplantation.
Central Nervous System
Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma tends to be found in the lymph nodes, but on rare occasions it can spread or present in the central nervous system. It can affect the eyes, brain, lining of the brain and spinal cord. If in the eyes, it can cause headaches or blurred vision. If in the brain, it can lead to stroke like problems such as numbness, inability to move a limb or part of a limb, inability to speak or to understand, and may cause seizures. Sometimes it will affect the lining of the brain, causing headaches and elevated pressure in the head. If it affects the spinal cord, it can cause weakness and numbness.
Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Systems
Complications in the cardiovascular and pulmonary systems are lumped together because of their location in the body. The major complications of NHL in these systems are due to compression. NHL tends to be found in lymph nodes which are spread throughout the body. When affected, they will grow and compress nearby structures. There are collections of lymph nodes in the chest which grown to compress the heart, its blood vessels and the tubing, called bronchi, leading from the throat to the lungs. If it affects the heart or its blood vessels, it will obstruct blood flow to the body. Likewise, compressing the bronchi will lead to dangerous airway obstructions. Some chemotherapy agents occasionally damage the heart or lungs.
Blood and Infectious Complications
The blood is responsible for delivering oxygen and nutrients, ridding the body of waste products, fighting off infections and stopping bleeding. The blood is made in bone marrow, and infiltration of bone marrow by a tumor, as well as depression of bone marrow by chemotherapy or a transplant, will interfere with the functions of blood. Possible complications include an increased susceptibility to infections, and poorly controlled bleeding or excessive blood clotting.
Liver and Kidneys
Both the liver and kidneys can be adversely affected either by tumor infiltration, compression or factors released by the tumor, the body's response to the tumor or treatments. Liver dysfunction can lead to jaundice and increased toxins in the blood such as ammonia, which causes confusion and lethargy. The kidneys produce urine, and regulate blood acid and mineral levels, blood volume and pressure, among other things. Without their proper function, toxins such as urea may build up, the blood may become more acidic and the blood pressure can rise, leading to lethargy, confusion, headaches or shortness of breath.
Gastrointestinal Tract
Similar to the affects on the heart and lungs, lymph nodes may grow to a large size in the abdomen. This can result in compression of the intestine and therefore a GI tract obstruction. Food will not be able to pass through the intestine. Even if it does not obstruct the GI tract, NHL can cause nausea, vomiting, weight loss, GI bleeds or abdominal pain.
Other Complications
Fever, night sweats and weight loss are common. Other complications can include high calcium protein levels in the blood, certain skin conditions such as discoloration or rashes, arthritis-like conditions or an exaggerated response to insect bites.
