Alternate Names: Lymphoma - non-Hodgkin's; Lymphocytic lymphoma; Histiocytic lymphoma; Lymphoblastic lymphoma; Cancer - non-Hodgkin's lymphoma

Causes and Risks:

The cancers vary from indolent disease to rapidly progressive cancer. The cause is unknown, but it may be associated with suppression of the immune system, especially after organ transplantation.

The tumors are graded according to their level of malignancy -- low grade, intermediate grade, or high grade. Burkitt’s tumor is an example of a high grade lymphoma. The tumors occur more frequently than Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

Most often it affects people over 50 years old. High-risk groups include organ transplant recipients and immunosuppressed people. The incidence is 3 out of 10,000 people.

Prevention: There is no known prevention.

Symptoms:

• Enlarged lymph nodes (such as an armpit lump)
  • Isolated or widespread
• Fever
• Sweating, excessive with night sweats
• Weight loss

• Flank pain

Signs and Tests: Tests that may indicate non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma include:

• A peripheral blood smear showing abnormal white blood cells
• A CBC with differential
• A lymph node biopsy
• A bone marrow biopsy

• A physical examination
• CT scans of the chest, abdomen and pelvis
• A lymphangiogram
• An exploratory laparotomy or liver biopsy
• Blood chemistry tests
• MRI or other X-ray study may also be performed
• A PET scan, (positron emission test)

• A gallium (Ga.) scan
• An immunoelectrophoresis - serum test
• A quantitative immunoglobulins (nephelometry) test
• A mononucleosis spot test

Treatment: Treatment depends upon the stage of the disease. Low-grade diseases may just need to be observed. When treatment becomes necessary, chemotherapy or radiation therapy may be used. Patients with more aggressive or resistant disease may require more intensive therapy. High-dose chemotherapy with bone marrow transplantation may be a treatment option in selected cases.

Support Groups: The stress of illness can often be helped by joining a support group where members share common experiences and problems. See cancer - support group.

Prognosis: The median survival is 6 to 8 years in low-grade lymphoma. Prognosis of high-grade lymphoma depends upon the response to chemotherapy or other treatment, with about 30% being cured.

Complications:

• Infections resulting from immune suppression from chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or low gamma globulin secondary to disease
• Autoimmune hemolytic anemia

Call your health care provider if symptoms of this disorder develop.

If you have non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, call your health care provider if you experience persistent fever or other signs of infection.