Overview

Non-Hodgkin lymphoma is a type of blood cancer that includes all types of lymphomas, other than the Hodgkin’s lymphoma. It is a cancer type that starts in the white blood cells, also called lymphocytes, that are part of the body’s immune system. There are two types of lymphomas, which are treated differently, so it’s important to identify the type a patient is suffering from.

Symptoms

Non-Hodgkin lymphomas may present different signs and symptoms, depending on the type of lymphoma and the location of its occurrence in the body. The common signs and symptoms are:

• Enlarged lymph nodes,
• Fever,
• Sweating and chills,
• Weight loss,
• Fatigue,
• Swollen abdomen,
• Chest pain, and
• Shortness of breath.

Causes

Researchers have found that non-Hodgkin lymphoma is generally linked to a number of risk factors, but the definite causes of these lymphomas largely remain unknown.

Diagnosis

Doctors and consultants may recommended one of the following diagnostic tests:

• Imaging test
• Biopsy
• Bone marrow examination

Treatment

The main treatments for non-Hodgkin lymphoma are:

• Chemotherapy,
• Immunotherapy,
• Targeted therapy,
• Radiation therapy, and
• Stem cell transplant