Experiences with
Non-Hodgkin lymphomaWhat causes non-Hodgkin lymphoma?
The exact cause of non-Hodgkin lymphoma is unknown.
But your risk of developing the condition is increased if:
- you have a medical condition that weakens your immune system
- you take immunosuppressant medicine
- you have previously been exposed to a common virus called the Epstein-Barr virus, which causes glandular fever
You also have a slightly increased risk of developing non-Hodgkin lymphoma if a close relative (such as a parent or sibling) has had the condition.
Treatments for non-Hodgkin lymphoma
There are many subtypes of non-Hodgkin lymphoma, but they can generally be put into 1 of 2 broad categories:
- high-grade or aggressive non-Hodgkin lymphoma – where the cancer grows quickly and aggressively
- low-grade or indolent non-Hodgkin lymphoma – where the cancer grows slowly and you may not experience any symptoms for many years
The outlook and treatment for non-Hodgkin lymphoma varies greatly, depending on the exact type, grade and extent of the lymphoma, and the person's age.
Low-grade tumours do not necessarily require immediate medical treatment, but are harder to completely cure.
High-grade lymphomas need to be treated straight away, but tend to respond much better to treatment and can often be cured.
The main treatments used for non-Hodgkin lymphoma are:
- chemotherapy
- radiotherapy
- a targeted treatment called monoclonal antibody therapy
Overall, most cases of non-Hodgkin lymphoma are considered very treatable.
SymptomsMedical treatmentsCausesThe main symptom of non-Hodgkin lymphoma is swollen lymph glands, usually in the neck, armpit or groin, that do not go away.
The main treatments for non-Hodgkin lymphoma are chemotherapy, radiotherapy and anti-cancer medicines called monoclonal antibodies.
The exact cause of non-Hodgkin lymphoma is unknown. It's more common in people who have a weakened immune system.
Symptoms of non-Hodgkin lymphoma
The most common symptom of non-Hodgkin lymphoma is a painless swelling in a lymph node, usually in the neck, armpit or groin.
Lymph nodes, also known as lymph glands, are pea-sized lumps of tissue found throughout the body.
They contain white blood cells that help to fight against infection.
The swelling is caused by a certain type of white blood cell, known as lymphocytes, collecting in the lymph node.
But it's highly unlikely you have non-Hodgkin lymphoma if you have swollen lymph nodes, as these glands often swell as a response to infection.
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