We hear this name Lymphoma every now and then. Because it’s a very common disease in today’s world. Some patients feel painless swelling in the neck, armpits, groin, or abdomen. Sometimes the swelling or the tumour spread into the skin or stomach. Maybe this could be signs of Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma Symptoms. Yes, you heard it right. Mainly this originates in the lymphatic cells and immune systems. Non-Hodgkin’slymphoma symptoms can even occur in blood cells.
They are known as lymphocytes and lymph node issues Sometimes doctors call it lymphoma cancer. Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma is very common than the other types of Lymphoma. It is called Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. Though the names are similar they are very different from each other. The lymphatic system is a type of immune system that helps fight infections and diseases. But when the system gets damaged, then this disease happens. But don’t worry. If you are in the early-stage, take proper treatments, then you will get better eventually. So, if the symptoms occur, don’t neglect them. You should go to the doctor as soon as possible.
What Is Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma?
Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma is a widespread type of cancer that develops in the lymphatic cells. These lymphatic cells are known as lymphocytes and lymph node issues. So non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma symptoms are mainly a state of malignancy of the lymphatic system. It is a network of knots of tissues, and these associate with vessels. The lymph tries to collect fluid and waste products from our body.
These mainly work as tiny filters, and these remove foreign organisms and cells. Lymphocytes are basically white blood cells, and these blood cells tend to fight infections, bacteria, viruses, etc. Their primary function is to prevent the disease from entering the bloodstream. When the whole system fights with an active infection, the infections’ lymph nodes start to get swollen and tender. After that, lymphocytes start to increase uncontrollably.
That is when the non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma symptoms occur. The cancerous cells, with their abnormal capacity, invade the other tissues forcefully. If you get affected, you will notice some symptoms like swollen lymph nodes, fever, and fatigue. You may even get soaked because of night sweats, and weight loss may happen too. Besides, you will feel itchy or red bumps can appear. The non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma is much different from Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. Other types of cancer are related to this disease. But 50 to 60 percent of patients can survive even up to five years if they take proper treatment while this disease occurs.
Causes Of Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma Symptoms
No one knows the exact cause behind this non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma symptoms. But many medical conditions may be the reason for occurring this disease.
- Immune deficiencies and people can inherit this from their previous generation.
- Genetic syndrome-like down syndrome, Klinefelter’s syndrome, can be the reason for this disease.
- Immune disorders, rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus can even play roles for occurring this disease.
- Celiac disease involves the processing of specific components of gluten and grains.
- Some inflammatory bowel diseases like chon’s disease and the treatments can even affect patients.
- If you have family histories of Lymphoma, then you may inherit this.
- Some bacteria can cause this disease. The researcher found out some bacteria’s, which may be the reasons sometimes. They are -helicobacter pylori, chlamydia psittacine, Borrelia burgdorferi.
- Viruses like HIV, SV -40, Hepatitis virus can affect the lymphatic cells.
- Specific insect and weedkiller may increase the chance of getting affected by this disease.
- Too much alcohol consumption
- Nuclear accidents, nuclear testing, or underground radiation leaks can initiate of developing this disease.
It’s not necessary that these have to be the causes. People tend to get this non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma symptoms if they go through these situations.
Primary Symptoms
Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma symptoms can vary from person to person. It means some people may not bother about the primary signs. They tend to think these are very minor issues. They shove it away for that reason. When the body makes abnormal lymphocytes, you will notice some signs in your body. If you pay attention to those and take proper treatment at that time, then it’s beneficial. But some symptoms are widespread. They are
- You can feel abdominal pain or see swelling in the area
- Chest pain can occur
- You may notice that you are coughing all day long.
- You may find difficulty in breathing.
- The lymph nodes may get swollen
- You will get soaked because of night sweats
- Feel feverish, or fever can occur
- You will feel extremely exhausted all the time
- Lose weight
If you notice this non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma symptoms, then immediately see a doctor. Because if it becomes extreme, it will have an enormous effect on you.
Differences Between Hodgkin’s Lymphoma And Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma
Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and Hodgkin’s Lymphoma fall into the lymphoma category. They are both cancer diseases. They both originate in lymphocytes. But the differences lie in subsets of lymphocytes. Doctors can differentiate this by looking at the blood cells under the microscope. They also do some tests to identify them correctly. To get proper treatment, you have to distinguish them precisely.
Because of the diagnosis, treatment, and other things are much different from each other. If you find any Reed Stemberg cells will indicate a Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. On the other hand, lymphatic tissue can develop in any part of the body. Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma symptoms can develop as well.
Types Of Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma
There are many types of non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. Mostly the doctors have categorized them into two parts.
- B cell lymphoma
- T cell lymphoma
The American cancer society has published that most of the NHL cases are from B -cell lymphomas. The most common type is a large B cell lymphoma.
There are other less common types of lymphomas are –
- Burkitt’s Lymphoma -It has two subtypes. An African links with an infection with the Epstein Barr virus. But the non-African doesn’t form a connection with the virus.
- Cutaneous Lymphoma -It includes the skin, and doctors classify it as T cell lymphoma or B cell lymphoma. Cutaneous Lymphoma cases are only 4 percent of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma symptoms.
- Lymphoblastic lymphoma-It’s a rare type of NHL. This case occurs only 2 percent in the total non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma cases.
- Mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma -This non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma symptoms usually occur in people above 60. It mainly happens in the stomach.
- Adult T cell lymphoma -The doctor uses the leukaemia name for this. It is an aggressive type of non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma.
- Wald Enstrom’s macroglobulinemia- This is another type of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma that is very rare. Sometimes the doctor may find it challenging to figure out this disease because it’s very slow-growing.
Diagnosis For Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma Symptoms
First of all, it’s a very common disease in our world. So, if you feel like you noticed some symptoms, then see a doctor.
- Firstly, your doctor will ask you some basic questions about your lifestyle so that he can identify what has happened to you according to your medical history.
- Then he will do some tests so that he can diagnosis the whole process properly.
- Your doctor will check if you have swollen lymph nodes. He will check the neck, underarm, and groin as well.
- The doctor will do some blood and urine tests to check if there is an infection.
- The doctor may include X-ray, CT, MRI, and positron emission tomography. He will do this to check if there is any tumour growing.
- A bone marrow test is essential for any cancer during any cancer diagnosis. Sometimes the doctor calls this test bone marrow biopsy and aspiration. In the process, the doctor will insert a needle into your hipbone so that he can remove a sample of bone marrow. Later they will analyze the model to see if the patient has non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma symptoms or not.
- A lymph node test is also necessary to find out if you have non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma or not. Firstly, the doctor will take the lymph out of your body.
The doctor may do other tests. But all these will depend on your condition.
Stages Of Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma
After your diagnosis, your doctor will categorize your cancer level. It means that your cancer falls into some stages, and they refer it stage I, ii. Clarifies the status of cancer, whether it is severe or mild. It will help the doctor to process the treatment.
Stage 1: In this stage, only one lymph node is severely affected.
Stage 2: In this stage, cancer stays in two lymph node regions. Besides, it can move to the next area after attacking the previous area. But cancer doesn’t spread in the whole body. Instead, it stays in a particular area.
Stage 3: In this stage, cancer moves to the diaphragm area and spread in the other regions. You can even find the affected cell above or below the diaphragm area.
Stage 4: This is the last and severe stage of this cancer. Because in this stage, the cancer cells are already in various organs and tissues. It may affect other parts of the body like bones, lungs, liver.
The doctor may tell you that you are having symptom A or symptom B. It has different meanings.
- Symptom A means that you don’t have any particular symptom as a result of cancer.
- Symptom B means that you are going through a high fever, unexpected weight loss, or night sweats.
Treatment For Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma Symptoms
Which non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma treatment is right for you, it depends on various facts? Like age, stage, type, your health, and overall preferences. If your Lymphoma shows symptoms, then your doctor may suggest you take a few treatments. These may include-
- Your doctor may suggest you take chemotherapy orally or by injection. You can take chemotherapy with other treatments.
- Some doctors may suggest you take radiation therapy. But that depends on your cancer stage or type of cancer. It involves the usage of high functioning beams of energy to kill cancer cells. You can take it alone or with other treatments.
- A cell transplant is a very common treatment for this type of disease. It’s actually like taking higher doses of chemotherapy. In this process, this treatment will kill the stem cells along with cancer cells. The doctor will transplant healthy cells to your body. He can even use donor cells. But the whole process is costly.
- Medications can be beneficial for the immune system. They can deliver radioactive isotopes that can fight with cancerous cells.
- Clinical trials can be another option if all the other treatments fail to conduct. But your doctor will suggest treatment according to your disease.
Prevention
There’s no exact way you can prevent non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. But there are specific rules you can abide by. These rules will not be hard to follow at all. As we don’t know the particular reason, so it’s hard to talk about prevention. What we can do is acknowledge the causes and risk factors as much as we can. We can be able to reduce the chance of us getting affected by risk factors. They can be like chemicals, ultraviolet rays, HIV, etc. We have to try to best to avoid those risk factors.
Last Few Words
So, from the above discussion, we got to know about this disease. Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma symptoms can occur when you are mildly or severely affected. If you go through this, it’s obvious that you will get scared. But this cancer is very common throughout the world. The doctors consider it as the sixth most common cancer in the world. But most people cannot find any symptoms at first correctly.
When they finally realize that there is a problem in their body, it becomes too late. But don’t worry. If you notice anything unusual which relates to these symptoms, then do for a check-up. Your doctor will examine you properly and then do some tests. So, try to stay healthy, eat fresh, do exercise regularly
