Non Hodgkins Lymphoma

Non - Hodgkin's Lymphoma

Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma Risk Factors

Non-Hodgkin lymphoma is caused by changes in cell DNA. Some of these changes may be genetic, some may develop during a person's lifetime due to an external influence, and still, others may occur for no known reason. Gene changes that lead to non-Hodgkin lymphoma are usually acquired during a person's lifetime, commonly as a result of exposure to:

  • Radiation
  • Carcinogenic chemicals
  • Infections

Age is also a major risk factor for non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Researchers believe this is because gene mutations occur more often as we get older. Other risk factors for non-Hodgkin lymphoma include a family history of lymphoma and changes in the immune system due to:

  • An immune deficiency or inherited immune disorder
  • An autoimmune disease, such as lupus
  • A chronic infection like HIV/AIDS
  • Treatment with certain drugs, such as methotrexate for rheumatoid arthritis
  • Treatment with immunosuppressant drugs to treat patients who have had an organ transplant

The common types of B-cell lymphoma include:

  • Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL).DLBCL makes up almost 1/3 of all lymphomas. It's a fast-growing or aggressive type of lymphoma. About 3 in 4 people have no signs of lymphoma after treatment, and many people with DLBCL can be cured. The outcome or prognosis is best for people with lymphoma in only one part of the body.
  • Follicular lymphoma. This type makes up about 1 in 5 lymphomas. It's an indolent or slow-growing type of lymphoma. Most of the time, it's found in many lymph nodes throughout the body and in the bone marrow. This lymphoma tends to grow slowly and often responds well to treatment. But it is hard to cure.
  • Chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL)/small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL). These related types are named based on where the lymphoma is found. CLL is mostly in the blood and bone marrow. SLL is mainly in the lymph nodes. Both are slow-growing diseases. These lymphomas are often not curable with standard types of treatment. But most people can live with these types of lymphoma for more than 10 years.
  • Extranodal marginal zone B-cell lymphomas or MALT lymphomas. Marginal zone lymphomas make up about 1 in 20 to 1 in 10 lymphomas. They start outside of the lymph nodes. Most start in the stomach and are linked to an infection by Helicobacter pylori bacteria. MALT lymphomas can also start in the lungs, skin, thyroid, salivary glands, and the tissues around the eye. When it's in the stomach, this lymphoma can often be cured by giving antibiotics to kill the bacteria that cause it.
  • Mantle cell lymphoma. This type accounts for about 1 in 20 lymphomas. It's more common in men than women. In most cases, it's widespread when diagnosed: in lymph nodes, bone marrow, and often the spleen. This lymphoma does not grow very fast. But it can be hard to treat.
  • Primary mediastinal B-cell lymphoma. This type accounts for about 1 in 50 lymphomas. It is a subtype of DLBCL. It's mostly found in young women. This lymphoma starts in the area around the heart and behind the chest bone, called the mediastinum. It's a fast-growing lymphoma, but it's treatable.
  • Burkitt lymphoma. This type is rare in adults. It's a lot like Burkitt-like lymphoma. Most people with this disease are male. This lymphoma grows very quickly. But more than half are cured with aggressive chemotherapy.
  • Lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma or Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia. This is a rare, slow-growing type of lymphoma. It's found mainly in the bone marrow, lymph nodes, and spleen. People with this type usually live many years with the disease, but it's usually not curable.
  • Hairy cell leukaemia. Despite its name, this is often considered to be a type of lymphoma. It’s named for the hairy look of its cells. This lymphoma is typically found in the bone marrow, spleen, and blood. It tends to be slow growing and is often curable.
  • Primary central nervous system (CNS) lymphoma. This type usually grows in the brain. It may also be found in the spinal cord and the tissues around it, as well as in the eye. Over time, it becomes widespread in the central nervous system. This type of lymphoma is more common in people with immune system problems, such as AIDS.

The common types of T-cell lymphoma include:

  • Angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma. This fast-growing type tends to occur in the lymph nodes, spleen, and liver. It causes infections, fever, weight loss, and skin rashes. It’s not clear if this lymphoma is curable. It tends to come back after treatment.
  • Extranodal natural killer/T-cell lymphoma, nasal type. This type often grows in the upper airway passages, such as the nose and upper throat. It can also grow into the skin and digestive tract. It's very rare in the U. S.
  • Enteropathy-type T-cell lymphoma. This type occurs in people with sensitivity to gluten, the main protein in wheat flour. Celiac disease, or gluten-sensitive enteropathy, starts in adulthood and is linked with this type of lymphoma. It often grows into the walls of the intestines, and it can be hard to treat.
  • Anaplastic large cell lymphoma. About 1 in 100 to 1 in 50 lymphomas are of this kind. It's a fast-growing type that's more common in young people. It starts in the lymph nodes and can also spread to the skin. Treatment with chemotherapy often works well.
  • T-lymphoblastic lymphoma/leukaemia. This rare disease can be called lymphoma or leukaemia. It depends on how much it’s growing in the bone marrow. Leukaemia involves more bone marrow than lymphoma. About 1% of all lymphomas are this type. It often starts in the thymus, which is in the front part of the chest. People with this type are most often young men. Lymphoma is fast-growing. But the chance for a cure with chemotherapy is good if it hasn’t spread to the bone marrow when first diagnosed.
  • Cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (mycosis fungoides, Sezary syndrome). This starts in the skin. It accounts for about 1 in 20 lymphomas. It starts as a patchy, red rash. It can grow into solid, raised tumours that can grow into lymph nodes and organs, such as the liver and spleen. With Sezary syndrome, the lymphoma cells are found in the blood. The prognosis is better if the lymphoma hasn’t spread.
  • Peripheral T-cell lymphoma, not otherwise specified (NOS).This term is used to describe T-cell lymphoma that doesn’t fit in other categories. Most people with this type of lymphoma are in their 60s. It tends to grow quickly and be widespread.
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