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Alternative names Return to top
Lymphoma - non-Hodgkin's; Lymphocytic lymphoma; Histiocytic lymphoma; Lymphoblastic lymphoma; Cancer - non-Hodgkin's lymphomaDefinition Return to top
Non-Hodgkin's lymphomas are cancers of lymphoid tissue (lymph nodes, spleen, and other organs of the immune system).Causes, incidence, and risk factors Return to top
Non-Hodgkin's lymphomas can be slow-growing (low-grade) or rapidly growing (high-grade) cancer. For most patients, the cause is unknown, but lymphomas may develop in people with suppressed immune systems as a result of organ transplantation, for instance.
The tumors are graded according to their level of malignancy (aggressiveness)-- low-grade, intermediate-grade or high-grade. Burkitt's tumor is an example of a high-grade lymphoma. Non-Hodgkin's tumors occur more frequently than Hodgkin's lymphoma.
Usually, non-Hodgkin's lymphomas affect people older than 50. High-risk groups include organ transplant recipients and immunosuppressed people. The incidence is 3 in 10,000 people.
Symptoms Return to top
Signs and tests Return to top
Tests that may indicate non-Hodgkin's lymphoma include:
A staging evaluation (tumor staging) to determine the extent of the disease includes:
This disease may also alter the results of the following tests:
Treatment Return to top
Treatment depends upon the stage of the disease. Low-grade disease may just need to be observed with no treatment until it causes problems (early treatment is not more effective). When treatment becomes necessary, chemotherapy or radiation therapy may be used. Patients with more aggressive or resistant disease may require more intensive treatment. High-dose chemotherapy with bone marrow transplantation may be a treatment option in selected cases.Support Groups Return to top
The stress of illness may be eased by joining a support group whose members share common experiences and problems. See cancer - support group.Expectations (prognosis) Return to top
The average survival is 6 to 8 years for patients with low-grade lymphoma. The outcome for patients with high-grade lymphoma depends upon the response to chemotherapy or other treatment, and the type of high-grade lymphoma. About 30% of adults with high-grade lymphoma are permanently cured.Complications Return to top
Calling your health care provider Return to top
Call your health care provider if symptoms of this disorder develop.
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Page last updated: 28 October 2004 |