The National Cancer Institute says non-Hodgkin's lymphoma is a group of cancers of the lymphatic system. This system includes certain infection-fighting white blood cells called, lymphocytes, the lymph nodes and network of lymph vessels, and the spleen. Primary complications of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma include infections and side effects of treatment.
Infection
The NCI says lymphoma-associated infections can occur either as a result of the disease itself or as a side effect of the treatments for lymphoma. Lymphocytes make up the immune system's defense shield against infections and other threats to the body. Certain types of lymphoma result from over production of abnormal lymphocytes that are not fully functional and are unable to protect the body from infections. In addition, the over production of these ineffective lymphocytes crowds out normal functioning immune system cells making the body both more susceptible to infections and less able to fight off infections.
Side Effects of Chemotherapy
The primary treatment for aggressive forms of non-Hodgkin's lymphomas includes some combination of chemotherapy, according to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. The side effects of chemotherapy depend on the specific agents or combination of chemo drugs used.
In general, the American Cancer Society says chemotherapy works by disrupting the cell division mechanism of fast-diving cells, such as cancer cells. Unfortunately, chemotherapy does not distinguish between fast-dividing cancer cells and other cells that are dividing and reproducing, such as blood cells and immune system cells, which need to be continuously replenished. Consequently, among other side effects, chemotherapy can make patients more susceptible to infections when too many normal immune system cells are killed.
Chemotherapy can temporarily deplete red blood cells, which carry oxygen to the body and remove carbon dioxide from the lungs resulting in fatigue, dizziness, shortness of breath and muscle weakness. Other common side effects of chemotherapy include nausea, vomiting, hair loss, mouth sores and loss of appetite.
Side Effects of Immunotherapy
Non-Hodgkin's lymphomas may be treated with immunotherapy, sometimes called biologic therapy, which use immune-system-derived drugs to target and eliminate cancerous lymphocytes. These treatments include interferon and monoclonal antibodies. The ACS says interferon is a protein that stimulates an immune response. Side effects include fatigue, fever, chills, headaches, muscle and joint aches, and mood changes. Monoclonal antibodies involve engineered antibodies altered to either attack cancer cells directly, or have been modified to deliver cell-killing agents, such as chemotherapy directly to tumors. These drugs can cause chills, fever, nausea, rashes, fatigue and headaches.
Side Effects of Radiation
Radiation therapy is used for early-stage non-Hodgkin's lymphomas. Side effects of radiation occurring soon after treatment may include nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. When the radiation is delivered to the chest or brain, side effects can occur months or years later. Late complications of radiation delivered to the chest include lung damage, particularly in smokers. Radiation to the head can result in loss of memory, headaches and personality changes.
Side Effects of Stem Cell Transplantation
Some patients with aggressive non-Hodgkin's lymphoma may undergo a stem cell transplant, which involves either wiping out or substantially suppressing the patient's blood-making bone marrow with chemotherapy or radiation or both to kill the lymphoma cells. Doctors then restore the marrow with an infusion of normal blood-making cells stored from the patient's own marrow, or from donor marrow. In addition to the side effects of the chemo and radiation, the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance says complications of stem cell transplantation can include graft versus host disease. This occurs when the immune system that regrows from the donor marrow fails to recognize the patient's tissues and begins to attack them as being foreign.
Complications of Complementary and Alternative Therapies
People often consider complementary and alternative therapies because they think they will have fewer side effects and complications. The ACS says that some complementary therapies can relieve the side effects of conventional therapies. Alternative therapies, however, have not been proven to be effective in clinical trials. Consequently, alternative therapies can be harmful, or at the very least, result in worsening of the non-Hodgkin's lymphoma because effective treatment is delayed.
