Overview

Adult NHL is a disease in which malignant (cancer) cells form in the lymph system. It affects a type of white blood cells known as lymphocytes, which help fight disease in the body. NHL can be indolent or aggressive. Indolent lymphoma tends to grow and spread slowly, and has few signs and symptoms eg : Follicular Lymphoma .Aggressive lymphoma grows and spreads quickly, and has signs and symptoms that can be severe, eg :Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma.

Symptoms

• Swelling in the lymph nodes in the neck, underarm, groin, or stomach.
• Fever for no known reason.
• Recurring night sweats.
• Feeling very tired.
• Weight loss for no known reason.
• Skin rash or itchy skin.
• Pain in the chest, abdomen, or bones for no known reason When fever, night sweats, and weight loss occur together, this group of symptoms is called B symptoms.

Causes

When a disease-fighting white blood cell called a lymphocyte develops a genetic mutation. The mutation tells the cell to multiply rapidly, causing many diseased lymphocytes that continue multiplying

Diagnosis

Physical exam and history, Complete blood count (CBC), Blood chemistry studies, LDH test (lactic dehydrogenase), Hepatitis B and hepatitis C test, HIV test, CT scan, PET scan, Bone marrow aspiration and biopsy, Lymph node biopsy, Immunohistochemistry, Cytogenetic analysis, FISH (fluorescence in situ hybridization), Immunophenotyping.

Prevention

Lowering one's risk factors such as obesity, HIV, HTLV-1 infection etc.

Treatment

Chemotherapy, Radiation therapy, Immunotherapy, such as monoclonal antibodies, Targeted therapy. For NHL, monoclonal antibodies are the main form of targeted therapy used in the treatment plan. A monoclonal antibody called rituximab is used to treat many different types of B-cell NHL.

Everyday Life

People with lymphoma may need some help with practical day-to-day activities when they are not feeling well. But helping them deal with the emotional burden of the disease can often be just as important for their well-being.

Resources

https://www.cancer.gov/types/lymphoma/patient/adult-nhl-treatment-pdq#_129

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/lymphoma/symptoms-causes/syc-20352638

https://www.patientsengage.com/conditions/lymphoma/prevention

https://www.cancer.net/cancer-types/lymphoma-non-hodgkin/treatment-options

https://www.lymphoma.ca/lymphoma/caregiver-support/caring-someone-lymphoma