Lymphoma

Treatment is different for every patient. Our team of specialists at the Center for Hematologic Malignancies is highly experienced at working with patients to develop effective individualized treatment plans, using our comprehensive approach to cancer treatment.

Learn more about technologies for treatment.

Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma

Non-Hodgkin's lymphomas are cancers of the immune system. They begin when the body makes too many lymphocytes, a kind of white blood cell that fights infection. Usually lymphocytes are found in the blood stream and lymph nodes.

Lymph nodes are part of the lymphatic system, a network of nodes and thin tubes that carry white blood cells and lymph cells. These cells fight off disease and infection throughout the body. In non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, the lymphocytes form masses, called lymphomas, in the lymph nodes. Sometimes they can form in other parts of the body as well.

There are many different types of non-Hodgkin's lymphomas. Some grow slowly and do not need to be treated immediately; other types grow quickly and should be treated as soon as possible.

Symptoms

The common symptoms of non-Hodgkin's lymphomas are:

• Enlarged lymph nodes
• Fever
• Weight loss

Diagnosis
When a patient presents with symptoms that might suggest non-Hodgkin's lymphomas, your doctor will use several diagnostic methods to make an accurate diagnosis.

1. Your doctor will ask for a complete medical history and will perform a thorough physical examination. Diagnostic tests may include:

• Blood Tests
• Biopsies. During a biopsy, a small sample of bone marrow and/or bone is taken from the hip or another large bone so doctors can look at its make-up in order to find any signs of abnormal changes.

  There are two common types of biopsy used to help diagnose blood cancers and diseases:

  • Bone marrow aspiration--the sample of bone marrow is taken by putting a thin needle into the bone and removing a sample of the marrow
  • Bone marrow biopsy--a sample of both the bone and bone marrow is taken from the bone with a thick needle

Once a bone marrow sample is obtained, it can be analyzed in a laboratory by a pathologist to determine what type of blood cancer or disease is present.

2. Your doctor may want to do further tests. These tests may include radiographic evaluations.

Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma is always diagnosed by having a biopsy of an enlarged lymph node. A specialist called a pathologist will examine this sample carefully for signs of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

Treatment

Treatment of Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma depends on the type of lymphoma and how far it has progressed. Slow-growing non-Hodgkin's disease may be not need to be treated right away, and instead, may be closely watched.

Other kinds of non-Hodgkin's disease may be treated with:

• radiation therapy
• chemotherapy (drug therapy)
• a combination of both radiation and chemotherapies.

Treatment is different for every patient. Our team of specialists at the Center for Hematologic Malignancies is highly experienced at working with patients to develop effective individualized treatment plans, using our comprehensive approach to cancer treatment.

Learn more about technologies for treatment.