What is non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma?
Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma happens when white blood cells grow abnormally in your lymphatic system. The lymphatic system plays a part in helping your body fight off infections. When you have non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, cancer cells can spread through the lymph nodes in this system.
There are several types of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Most often, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma affects a type of white blood cell called B cells. Overall, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma is one of the top 10 most common types of cancer, according to the National Cancer Institute.
It’s common to have questions about your type of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. To guide your journey, we offer patient navigators who can answer your questions and connect you with care.
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Baylor Scott & White Health is one of the largest networks of cancer centers in the nation accredited by the Commission on Cancer.
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Nationally accredited by the Foundation for the Accreditation of Cellular Therapy (FACT).
Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma symptoms
One of the most common symptoms of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma is swelling in a lymph node. Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma can affect lymph nodes all over your body, but swollen lymph nodes are often first noticed in the groin, neck or under your arm.
Some people have no symptoms of the disease, while others experience non-Hodgkin's lymphoma symptoms such as:
- Fevers
- Night sweats
- Losing weight without trying
- Shortness of breath or cough
- Itchy skin or rashes
- Fatigue
- Abdominal pain or swelling
This is not an exhaustive list, and these non-Hodgkin's lymphoma symptoms can be linked to other conditions, too. Seek medical care if you have questions concerning non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.
Risk factors and causes of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma is caused when abnormal white blood cells start to grow out of control, but the exact reason why this starts isn’t known.
Researchers continue to study the causes of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, but they’ve identified a few factors that may put you more at risk.
Some non-Hodgkin's lymphoma risk factors include:
- Being over 60 years old
- Being male
- Some infections, like HIV or the Epstein-Barr virus
- Previous transplant or cancer treatment
- Some autoimmune conditions
- Exposure to certain chemicals
Diagnosing non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
When you have symptoms of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, your cancer doctor will look at your comprehensive medical history and perform a physical exam to look at the size of your lymph nodes and other organs.
You may also have a lymph node biopsy, during which your doctor removes either a sample of tissue using a needle or an entire lymph node. A lab then tests the biopsy tissue and cells to diagnose non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
Because non-Hodgkin's lymphoma can develop in different parts of the body, additional tests may be needed to identify your specific subtype, stage and develop a treatment plan.
Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma treatment
We offer many treatment options to give you hope in your fight against non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. To target your specific type of cancer, you’ll have a team of care providers that works together to plan your non-Hodgkin's lymphoma treatments based on your diagnosis, stage and overall health status. Often, you’ll have more than one non-Hodgkin's lymphoma treatment as a part of your blood cancer care plan.
Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma support
Whether you’re celebrating the end of your treatment or the road ahead feels long, we’re here for you. We offer programs and education to support you during your fight against non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
Our patient navigators can help answer your questions, plan the next steps and connect you to quality care. After treatment, our survivorship program continues to give you the support you need in the months and years to come.