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Non-Hodgkin Lymphomas

(Non-Hodgkin's Lymphomas)

By

The Manual's Editorial Staff

Reviewed/Revised Jul 2023
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What are non-Hodgkin lymphomas?

Lymphoma is cancer of a type of white blood cell called a lymphocyte. Lymphocytes and other white blood cells help your body fight disease.

Lymphocytes travel through your blood vessels and then through your lymphatic system. Your lymphatic system is made up of your lymph nodes and lymph vessels. Lymph nodes are small bean-shaped organs that fight disease and are in your neck, groin, and armpits.

In lymphoma, your lymphocytes grow out of control and build up in your lymph nodes and sometimes your liver, spleen, and inside your bones (your bone marrow).

Non-Hodgkin lymphomas are a group of many different lymphomas. They can involve several different types of lymphocyte. Hodgkin lymphoma Hodgkin Lymphoma Lymphoma is cancer of a type of white blood cell called a lymphocyte. Lymphocytes and other white blood cells help your body fight disease. The lymphatic system is part of the body’s immune... read more involves one particular type of lymphocyte.

Doctors group non-Hodgkin lymphomas into 2 main types:

  • Indolent lymphoma, which grows slowly

  • Aggressive lymphoma, which grows quickly

Indolent lymphoma is easier to treat, and you can live with it for many years. But it usually can’t be cured. Aggressive lymphoma needs intense treatment but can often be cured.

You can get non-Hodgkin lymphomas at any age.

Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma
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What causes non-Hodgkin lymphomas?

Doctors don’t know what causes non-Hodgkin lymphomas. Viruses may cause some types.

What are the symptoms of non-Hodgkin lymphomas?

At first:

  • Lymph nodes in your neck, under your arms, or in your groin get bigger—but usually don’t hurt

Later, you may have other symptoms like:

  • Coughing or problems breathing

  • Swelling in your face, neck, arms, and legs

  • Not feeling hungry or throwing up

  • Constipation (trouble passing poop)

  • Belly pain

  • Feeling weak and tired

  • Bruising or bleeding more easily

In children, first symptoms may be different and can include:

How can doctors tell if I have a non-Hodgkin lymphoma?

Doctors suspect non-Hodgkin lymphoma when you have enlarged, painless lymph nodes that don't go away after a few weeks.

If doctors suspect non-Hodgkin lymphoma from your symptoms, they will do a:

  • Biopsy (making a small cut to take out an enlarged lymph node to look at under a microscope)

Before doctors treat your non-Hodgkin lymphoma, they need to see how far it has spread. Doctors use several tests to check the spread of non-Hodgkin lymphoma, such as:

How do doctors treat non-Hodgkin lymphomas?

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