non-Hodgkin lymphoma

Non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) is a type of cancer that affects white blood cells called lymphocytes. It's the 6th most common type of cancer in adults [6]. NHL is a group of blood cancers that usually develop in your lymphatic system, which is acquired and not inherited [3].

The most common sign of non-Hodgkin lymphoma is enlarged lymph nodes, but swollen lymph nodes are not specific to this condition alone. Swollen lymph nodes can be found in various parts of the body, including the neck, armpit, or groin [4]. A painless swelling in a lymph node is also a common symptom of NHL [5].

NHL can develop in different parts of the body, including the stomach, intestines, and other organs that contain lymphatic tissue. It's essential to note that non-Hodgkin lymphoma is not the same as Hodgkin lymphoma, which has distinct characteristics [7].

Some common signs and symptoms of non-Hodgkin lymphoma include swollen lymph nodes, fever, drenching night sweats, weight loss, and fatigue [8]. These symptoms can vary from person to person and may not be present in all cases.

In summary, non-Hodgkin lymphoma is a type of cancer that affects the white blood cells called lymphocytes. It's essential to be aware of the common signs and symptoms, which include swollen lymph nodes, fever, night sweats, weight loss, and fatigue. If you suspect any of these symptoms, it's crucial to consult with a healthcare professional for proper diagnosis and treatment.

References: [3] - Non-Hodgkin lymphoma is a group of blood cancers that usually develop in your lymphatic system. [4] - The most common sign of non-Hodgkin lymphoma is enlarged lymph nodes. [5] - A painless swelling in a lymph node is also a common symptom of NHL. [6] - Non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) is a type of cancer that affects white blood cells called lymphocytes. It's the 6th most common type of cancer in adults. [7] - Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma (NHL). Is a type of cancer that generally develops in the lymph nodes and lymphatic tissue found in organs such as the stomach, intestines ... [8] - Signs and symptoms of non-Hodgkin lymphoma include swollen lymph nodes, fever, drenching night sweats, weight loss, and fatigue.

Non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) can manifest in various ways, and its signs and symptoms may vary from person to person. Here are some common indicators of NHL:

• Swollen lymph nodes: The most common symptom of NHL is the presence of swollen or enlarged lymph nodes, typically in the neck, armpit, or groin. These lymph nodes are usually painless [7][8].
• Painless swelling: Painless swelling of one or more lymph nodes is often the first sign of NHL [4][8].
• Fever: Fever can be a symptom of NHL, although it's not always present [2][9].
• Drenching night sweats: Drenching night sweats are another common symptom of NHL [2].
• Weight loss and fatigue: Some people with NHL may experience unexplained weight loss and fatigue [9].

It's essential to note that these symptoms can also be indicative of other conditions, and a proper diagnosis by a healthcare professional is necessary for an accurate assessment.

References:

[1] May 3, 2024 — Swollen lymph nodes · Swollen lymph nodes in your neck, armpits or groin · Abdominal pain or swelling · Chest pain, coughing or trouble ... [2] Feb 15, 2024 — Common signs and symptoms of lymphoma · Fever (which can come and go over several days or weeks) without an infection · Drenching night sweats ... [3] Chest pain: This may be a symptom of a non-Hodgkin lymphoma in your lung tissues or in lymph nodes inside your chest. [4] The most common early sign of NHL is painless swelling of one or more lymph node(s). Occasionally, the disease starts in a site other than the lymph nodes. [5] The most common symptom of NHL is swollen, or enlarged, lymph nodes in the neck, armpit or groin. The swollen lymph nodes are usually painless. [6] The most common sign of non-Hodgkin lymphoma is enlarged lymph nodes. However, swollen lymph nodes are not specific to non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Swollen lymph nodes ... [7] The most common symptom of non-Hodgkin lymphoma is a painless swelling in a lymph node, usually in the neck, armpit or groin. [8] Jul 13, 2024 — Painless swelling of one or more lymph nodes is often the first sign of NHL. Typically, swollen lymph nodes are in the neck, armpit or groin. [9] Aug 22, 2024 — Signs and symptoms of non-Hodgkin lymphoma include swollen lymph nodes, fever, drenching night sweats, weight loss, and fatigue. These signs and ...

Non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) can be diagnosed or ruled out by various tests, including:

• Blood tests: These may include a complete blood count (CBC), which measures the levels of different cells in the blood. A CBC can help detect anemia, low levels of red blood cells, and other signs that may indicate NHL [3].
• Biopsy: This involves removing some or all of the swollen lymph node, which is then studied in a laboratory. A biopsy is the only test that can definitively diagnose non-Hodgkin lymphoma [9].
• Imaging tests: These include CT scans, PET scans, and MRI scans, which can help identify tumors and assess their size and location.
• Lymph node test: Your doctor may recommend a lymph node biopsy procedure to remove all or part of a lymph node for laboratory testing [2].

In addition to these tests, your doctors may also perform other diagnostic procedures, such as:

• Bone marrow aspiration and biopsy: This involves removing a sample of bone marrow from the hipbone to check for cancer cells.
• Flow cytometry: This is a test that uses a machine to analyze the characteristics of cancer cells in a blood or bone marrow sample.
• Immunohistochemistry: This is a test that uses antibodies to detect specific proteins on cancer cells.

It's worth noting that a diagnosis of NHL typically involves a combination of these tests, as well as a thorough medical history and physical examination [6].

References:

[1] Not available in the context [2] May 3, 2024 — Lymph node test.​​ Your doctor may recommend a lymph node biopsy procedure to remove all or part

Treatment Options for Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma

Non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) can be treated with various medications, depending on the type and stage of the disease. The primary goal of treatment is to eliminate cancer cells and restore normal blood cell production.

• Chemotherapy: Chemo is the main treatment for most people with NHL. Depending on the type and stage of the lymphoma, chemo may be used alone or combined with other treatments, such as immunotherapy drugs or radiation therapy [4].
• Targeted Drugs: Targeted cancer drugs work differently from standard chemotherapy (chemo) drugs. Sometimes they work when standard chemo drugs don't, and they often have fewer side effects [5]. A common targeted drug for NHL is rituximab [6].
• Immunotherapy: Immunotherapy drugs, such as rituximab, can be used alone or in combination with chemotherapy to treat NHL [14].

Common Chemotherapy Drugs Used to Treat Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma

Some of the most commonly used chemo drugs for NHL include:

• Rituximab
• Other targeted cancer drugs

Treatment Approaches

The treatment approach for NHL depends on the subtype and stage of the disease. Doctors may use a combination of chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and radiation therapy to treat NHL [14].

New Treatment Options

Thanks to new treatments, including targeted therapies, people are living longer with non-Hodgkin lymphoma. In some cases, treatments can eliminate all signs and symptoms of the condition and cure it [15].

References:

[4] - Chemo is the main treatment for most people with NHL. [5] - Targeted cancer drugs work differently from standard chemotherapy (chemo) drugs. [6] - A common targeted drug for NHL is rituximab. [14] - Treatment for non-Hodgkin lymphoma depends on the subtype, and doctors may use a combination of chemotherapy and immunotherapy with or without radiation therapy. [15] - People are living longer with non-Hodgkin lymphoma thanks to new treatments.

Differential Diagnosis of Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma

Non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) is a heterogeneous group of malignancies with different biology and prognosis. When diagnosing NHL, it's essential to consider various differential diagnoses to rule out other conditions that may present similarly.

Common Differential Diagnoses:

• Hodgkin disease: A type of lymphoma that can be distinguished from NHL based on its distinct histopathological features.
• Viral infections: Such as Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection, which can cause infectious mononucleosis and mimic the symptoms of NHL.
• Metastatic carcinoma: Cancer that has spread to the lymph nodes from another part of the body, which can be distinguished from NHL based on its histopathological features.
• Autoimmune diseases: Such as rheumatoid arthritis or lupus, which can cause lymphadenopathy and mimic the symptoms of NHL.

Other Differential Diagnoses:

• Reactive lymphoid proliferations: Conditions such as follicular hyperplasia or Castleman disease, which can cause lymphadenopathy and mimic the symptoms of NHL.
• Follicular lymphoma: A type of NHL that can be distinguished from other subtypes based on its histopathological features.
• Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL): A type of blood cancer that can present with similar symptoms to NHL.

Diagnostic Approach:

The differential diagnosis of NHL is based on a combination of clinical presentation, laboratory findings, and imaging studies. A surgically excised tissue biopsy is widely accepted as the gold standard for diagnosing lymphoma, including NHL. The biopsy allows assessment of micro-architecture, provides adequate material for immunocytochemistry, flow cytometry, FISH studies, and extraction of molecular markers.

References:

• [1] Non-Hodgkin lymphoma must be differentiated from Hodgkin's disease, viral infections, metastatic carcinoma, and autoimmune diseases. (Source: #5)
• [2] The differential diagnosis of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) includes reactive lymphoid proliferations, follicular lymphoma, and other small cell B-lineage lymphomas. (Source: #7)
• [3] A surgically excised tissue biopsy is widely accepted as the gold standard for diagnosing lymphoma based upon the current international guidelines. (Source: #13)

Note: The numbers in square brackets refer to the corresponding sources in the provided context.