Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma Definition, Reason, Symptoms, Treatment & Prevention
Understanding
Non-Hodgkin lymphoma is a type of lymphoma, which is a cancer that attacks the lymph nodes (KGB). Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma consists of various types, depending on which type of white blood cells become malignant, including Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma B cells, T cells, and NK (natural killer) cells.
Most cases of Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma originate in B cells. This type is a cancer that grows and spreads quickly.
Symptom
Symptoms of Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma are difficult to distinguish from Hodgkin’s lymphoma, namely:
- Painless enlargement of the lymph nodes, especially in the neck, armpits, groin, or in the internal organs of the abdomen
- Prolonged fever for no apparent reason
- Excessive sweating at night
- The body feels tired easily
- Weight loss drastically
- Redness or itching of the skin
- Pain in the chest, stomach, or bones for no apparent reason
Reason
As with most other cancers, the exact cause of Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma is unknown. However, the following things make a person more susceptible to Non-Hogkin’s lymphoma:
- Old age (over 60 years)
- Male gender
- Have an autoimmune disease such as rheumatoid arthritis, Sjogren’s syndrome, or psoriasis
- HIV / AIDS sufferers
- Have a history of infection with the Epstein-Barr virus
- Have a history of infection with Helicobacter pylori bacteria
- Post-organ transplant patients
Diagnosis
During the initial examination, the doctor will do a thorough physical examination to find out which KGB is enlarged. In addition, routine blood tests (hemoglobin, leukocytes, platelets) were also performed.
If the examination results lead to a diagnosis of Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, a biopsy needs to be done to confirm it. A biopsy is done through a surgical procedure (usually minor or simple surgery) to take abnormal KGB tissue. The extracted tissue is viewed under a microscope.
In addition, to find out whether there is a spread of cancer, it is generally necessary to carry out various other tests such as a CT scan, MRI, chest X-ray, and bone marrow aspiration.
Treatment
Treatment of Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma really depends on the type of tumor and the stage that is experienced. But in general, the types of treatment include:
- Chemotherapy
- Radiotherapy (radiation)
- Immunotherapy (a treatment that uses the body’s resistance to fight cancer cells)
- Targeted therapy (drugs that work specifically to ‘attack’ molecules that play a role in cancer cell growth)
- Stem cell transplant
- Surgery (rarely necessary)
To find out the right type of treatment, sufferers of Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma are treated by specialists in internal medicine, and oncologists.
Prevention
Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma cannot be completely prevented. What can be done is to reduce the susceptibility to experience this disease.
You do this by maintaining your immune system, avoiding free sex and drug use in order to avoid HIV/AIDS, which is a disease that increases the risk of developing Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.