Roughly 700,000 individuals are living with non-Hodgkin lymphoma in the U.S., and just over 80,000 new cases are diagnosed each year. Treatment options depend on several factors, including the type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma you have, how aggressive it is, and at what stage it was diagnosed. Speak with a Bayhealth cancer expert about treatment options.
What is Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma?
Non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) generally develops in the nodes or tissues of the lymphatic system, which supports your body’s immune system. Disease occurs when your white blood cells (lymphocytes) become crowded out by abnormal cells (lymphoma), preventing your immune system from guarding against infections.
Because it affects the circulatory system, NHL can develop in one or several places, including your organs, bone marrow and blood. There are more than 60 subtypes of NHL, but the two main types are classified according to the white blood cells they originate in.
- B-cells: The most common form of NHL develops in the B lymphocytes, which defend the body against germs and bacteria by producing proteins called antibodies.
- T-cells: The second most common form of NHL occurs in T lymphocytes, which help your body produce B cells, as well as destroy germs and other abnormal cells.
Signs & Symptoms
Symptoms of non-Hodgkin lymphoma depend on the subtype and location of the disease in the body. However, the most common sign is the presence of swollen lymph nodes around the neck, armpit or groin. Other symptoms include the following.
- Abdominal pain or bloating
- Chills
- Chest pain or pressure
- Coughing or shortness of breath
- Fatigue
- Fever
- Frequent or severe infections
- Itchy skin
- Loss of appetite
- Night sweats
- Unexplained weight loss
- Rashes or skin lumps
Many of these symptoms (including swollen lymph nodes) may indicate other forms of lymphoma, as well as other infections or inflammatory diseases.
Risk Factors & Prevention
While exact causes differ depending on the type and location of non-Hodgkin lymphoma, several factors may increase your risk of developing the disease.
- Advanced Age: Although some forms of NHL affect younger people, the disease most often occurs in individuals aged 60 or older.
- Chemical Exposure: Research suggests that the risk of developing NHL increases with exposure to certain chemicals designed to kill insects or weeds, such as pesticides.
- Gender: Men are at greater risk for developing NHL than women.
- Infection: People who have a weakened immune system due to a viral or bacterial infection are at greater risk for developing NHL. Examples include the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), Epstein-Barr, and the helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection, which causes stomach ulcers.
- Race & Ethnicity: In the United States, the chances for developing non-Hodgkin lymphoma are greater among white individuals.
How We Diagnose Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma
We use the following diagnostic procedures to identify NHL.
- Physical Exam: A doctor checks for signs of swollen lymph nodes around your neck, groin and underarms. They also look for swelling around your spleen and liver.
- Biopsy: Surgeons remove part or all of a lymph node so that it can be examined under a microscope to determine if cancer cells are present.
- Computerized Tomography (CT): Certified experts use computer-processed X-rays to generate a scan of your body in “slices” to create highly accurate images.
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI): A combination of a magnetic field and radio waves creates three-dimensional images of specific areas of your body to determine if disease or physical abnormalities are present.
- Positron Emission Tomography (PET) Scan: A small amount of radioactive material (which is known to absorb into cancer cells more than normal cells) is injected into your bloodstream, allowing a scanner to locate the cancerous cells.
- Blood and Urine Analysis: A blood or urine test may rule out other conditions.
- Bone Marrow Biopsy and Aspiration: A small amount of bone marrow is extracted from your hip bone for analysis in a pathology lab.
- Lumbar Puncture: During this procedure, a small amount of fluid is extracted from your spinal canal for analysis in a pathology lab. Also known as a spinal tap, the lumbar puncture is used to determine if NHL has impacted your spinal cord.
Because NHL can be difficult to accurately diagnose, more than one diagnostic procedure may be necessary in order to identify the disease’s subtype.
Treatment Options
Our multidisciplinary team works collaboratively to outline a treatment plan tailored to your specific needs. Experts from a range of specialties will discuss your condition and determine the best plan of action. Factors we consider when developing your treatment plan include the stage and location of the cancer and your personal medical history.
Depending on if your NHL is aggressive (grows quickly) or indolent (grows slowly), our team will recommend one or more of the following treatment options.
Medical Therapy
Our board-certified oncologists prescribe your medical therapy, and our highly trained nursing staff administers that therapy intravenously, orally or through injection.
Among the medical treatments we provide are the following.
- Targeted Drug Therapy: This type of cancer treatment uses drugs to “target” cancer cells without affecting normal cells.
- Chemotherapy: This drug treatment uses powerful chemicals to kill fast-growing cancer cells in your body.
- Immunotherapy: This treatment option boosts your immune system, empowering it to fight and destroy cancer cells. Bayhealth has access to CAR-T and bispecific antibody treatments.
Radiation Therapy
Our team of board-certified radiation oncologists may use external beam radiation in combination with other treatments to address your cancer. Employing sophisticated technology, our therapists concentrate high-energy beams of radiation on the precise parts of your body affected by disease. This safe and accurate procedure may be administered routinely over a period of days or weeks.
Surgical Approach
Our specialized surgery team uses the latest in minimally invasive techniques to treat your NHL.
Adhering to evidence-based guidelines, our robot-assisted surgical procedures provide safe treatment for all stages of cancer.
Learn more about cancer treatment options at Bayhealth.
Support Services
Before, during and after your cancer treatments, our experts remain dedicated to improving your quality of life. Our care team supports you in establishing healthy routines that help you stay in control of your daily symptoms. We also host support groups that provide patients and families opportunities to connect and share their experiences — because a strong network of support can help to make the realities of cancer more manageable.
- Cancer Support Community: A statewide non-profit organization, the Cancer Support Community is dedicated to helping people manage the emotional aspects of their cancer journey. Learn more about the Cancer Support Community.
Explore our classes, events and support groups.
Clinical Trials
Clinical trials are research studies that test cutting-edge drugs, procedures and technologies with the purpose of establishing new or better ways of treating cancer. The skilled nurses in our Clinical Research Program can help you find clinical trial options for your specific cancer.
Speak with a Bayhealth expert about cancer treatment options.