Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma (NHL)
Each year, over 9,000 people are diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL) in the UK.
Lymphomas are cancers that develop in lymphatic cells. Without treatment, cancer cells may travel to all parts of the body, spreading the disease to other organs. The first sign of NHL is usually a painless lump.
Other symptoms include night sweats, fatigue, loss of appetite and weight, and itching skin. The diagnosis is confirmed after a full medical examination, blood tests and scans. A biopsy will confirm the exact type of NHL – there are over a dozen different types.
If the lymphoma is low grade (having a slow rate of growth) and diagnosed early it may not be necessary to prescribe any treatment at first. The principal treatments are radiotherapy and chemotherapy either singly or together. Sometimes monoclonal antibodies (drugs that have the ability to target specific cells in the body) are given together with the chemotherapy.
A stem cell transplant (transfusion of cells previously removed from the blood prior to high dose treatment) may be prescribed and the intensive radiotherapy and chemotherapy that must be given prior to the transplant may lead to infertility.
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The Epstein Barre virus may contribute to the development of lymphoma.
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Treatment can result in complete remission or partial remission.
Further information:
Cancerbackup
www.cancerbackup.org.uk
CancerHelp
www.cancerhelp.org.uk
Lymphoma Association
www.lymphoma.org.uk
Leukaemia Research
www.lrf.org.uk
Support:
Lymphoma Association
www.lymphoma.org.uk
Lymphoma Association site for young people
www.lifesite.info
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