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Blood cancer information Types of blood cancer Lymphoma Non-Hodgkin lymphoma


NON-HODGKIN LYMPHOMA




WHAT IS NON-HODGKIN LYMPHOMA?

Each year in Australia around 7,397 people are diagnosed with lymphoma. Around
6,600 of these cases are diagnosed with a type of B-cell or T-cell lymphoma.
Non-Hodgkin lymphoma is not a single disease; there are in fact more than 30
different sub types of non-Hodgkin lymphoma. These many different sub types are
broadly divided into the following two main groups:

 * B-cell lymphomas – arising from developing B-cells
 * T-cell lymphomas – arising from developing T-cells.

B and T-cell lymphomas are cancers of the lymphatic system. The lymphatic system
forms part of the immune system. It contains specialised white blood cells
called lymphocytesthat help protect the body from infection and disease.
Lymphomas arise when developing B- and T- lymphocytes undergo a malignant
change, and multiply in an uncontrolled way. These abnormal lymphocytes, called
lymphoma cells, form collections of cancer cells called tumours, in lymph nodes
(glands) and other parts of the body.


NON-HODGKIN LYMPHOMA: THE BASICS

HOW COMMON IS NON-HODGKIN LYMPHOMA?

Overall, it represents the sixth most common type of cancer in men, and the
fifth most common type of cancer in women.

WHO GETS NON-HODGKIN LYMPHOMA?

Lymphomas can occur at any age but they are more common in adults over the age
of 50. Lymphomas occur more frequently in men than in women. In children
non-Hodgkin lymphoma and leukaemia are some of the most common types of cancer
seen, but this number is far fewer than in the adult population. Lymphomas in
children tend to grow quickly and they are often curable.

WHAT CAUSES NON-HODGKIN LYMPHOMA?

In most cases the exact cause of lymphoma remains unknown but they are thought
to result from damage to one or more of the genes that normally control the
development of blood cells. Research is going on all the time into possible
causes of this damage. In most cases people who are diagnosed with lymphoma have
no family history of the disease. Like many cancers, damage to special proteins
that control the growth and division of cells may play a role in the development
of lymphoma. The following are factors which may put some people at a higher
risk of developing lymphoma:

 * immunosuppression – a small percentage of lymphomas occur in people whose
   immune system has been weakened either by a viral infection or as a result of
   drugs that affect the function of the immune system
 * infection – particularly in people with immunosuppression, viruses such as
   the Epstein-Barr virus or the human T-cell leukaemia/lymphoma virus may
   damage developing lymphocytes
 * chemicals – some evidence suggest that people exposed to high concentrations
   of agricultural chemicals may have a higher risk of developing lymphoma
 * lifestyle – lifestyle factors including smoking and obesity can increase the
   risk of developing lymphoma.

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF NON-HODGKIN LYMPHOMA?

Some people do not have any symptoms when they are first diagnosed with
lymphoma. In these cases the disease may be picked up by accident, for example
during a routine chest x-ray. Lymphoma commonly presents as a firm, usually
painless swelling of a lymph node (swollen glands), usually in the neck, under
the arms or in the groin. It is important to remember that most people who go to
their doctor with enlarged lymph nodes do not have lymphoma. Swollen glands
often result from an infection, for example a sore throat. In this case the
glands in the neck are usually swollen and painful. Other non-Hodgkin lymphoma
symptoms may include:

 * regular and frequent fevers
 * excessive sweating, usually at night
 * unintentional weight loss
 * persistent fatigue and lack of energy
 * generalised itching.

Sometimes lymphoma starts in the lymph nodes in deeper parts of the body like
those found in the abdomen (causing bloating), or the lymph nodes in the chest
(causing coughing, discomfort in the chest and difficulty breathing). When it is
first diagnosed, it is common for lymphoma to be found in several different
sites in the body at once. It can spread to any organ and may involve the
spleen, liver, brain and spinal cord (central nervous system) and bone marrow.
Some of these symptoms may also be seen in other illnesses, including viral
infections. It is important to see your doctor if you have any symptoms that do
not go away so that you can be examined and treated properly.


WHAT ARE COMMON SUB TYPES OF NON-HODGKIN LYMPHOMA?

DIFFUSE LARGE B-CELL LYMPHOMA

This is one of the most common types of lymphoma and represents about 30% of all
cases. In this type of lymphoma the normal structure of the lymph node is
disrupted and the lymphoma cells have spread widely (diffusely) throughout the
lymph node. This type of lymphoma is regarded as aggressive and tends to spread
over weeks or months from the lymph node to other areas of the body including
the skin, gut, central nervous system and bone. Read more about this type of
lymphoma here.

FOLLICULAR LYMPHOMA

This is another common type of lymphoma that represents around 25% of all cases.
Follicular lymphoma gets its name from the way in which the lymphocytes are
arranged in clusters or circular structures called follicles, within the lymph
node. This type of lymphoma is usually slow-growing, over months or years
(indolent). Read more about follicular lymphoma here.

SLL/CLL

This disease can present as either leukaemia or lymphoma. Initially it tends to
be an indolent disease, requiring little or no treatment for many years. Read
more about SLL/CLL here.

MANTLE CELL LYMPHOMA

This is often more aggressive than the other small B-cell lymphomas and is
usually widespread when it’s first diagnosed. Read more about this lymphoma
here.

BURKITT’S LYMPHOMA

A rare but highly aggressive type of lymphoma, it can also present as leukaemia.
Burkitt’s lymphoma produces a mass of lymphoma cells in the abdomen and can
spread very quickly over a matter of days. It is often treated with high doses
of chemotherapy. Read more information about Burkitt’s here.

CUTANEOUS T-CELL LYMPHOMAS

Including mycosis fungoides and Sézary syndrome, this type of lymphoma primarily
affects the skin and the lymph nodes. In the early stages these lymphomas are
generally indolent. Treatment involves the use of creams, emollients, and
medications to help you stop itching, and ultraviolet light. Chemotherapy and
radiotherapy may also be used. Read more about cutaneous T-cell lymphomas here.

AIDS-RELATED LYMPHOMA

This occurs in people with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and tends to be
aggressive and quite advanced when first diagnosed.

CNS LYMPHOMA

In the more aggressive types of disease, lymphoma can spread from its original
site to the brain and spinal cord. In the case of central nervous system (CNS)
lymphoma, the disease is only found in these areas. Treatment usually involves
radiotherapy and chemotherapy specifically targeting the lymphoma in this area.


OTHER SUB TYPES OF NON-HODGKIN LYMPHOMA

Adult T-cell lymphoma Anaplastic large cell lymphoma Double hit lymphoma
Lymphoblastic lymphoma Mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma Nodal marginal
zone lymphoma Peripheral T-cell lymphoma Primary central nervous system lymphoma


FIND OUT MORE ABOUT NON-HODGKIN LYMPHOMA

Non-Hodgkin lymphoma diagnosis Non-Hodgkin lymphoma treatment


NON-HODGKIN LYMPHOMA STORIES AND RESOURCES

Non-Hodgkin lymphoma patient stories and research news A guide for people with
non-Hodgkin lymphoma booklet Guides to Best Cancer Care – low grade lymphoma


HOW WE CAN HELP

Online Blood Cancer Support Service Support services Online support groups and
webinars

Last updated on December 15, 2023

Developed by the Leukaemia Foundation in consultation with people living with a
blood cancer, Leukaemia Foundation support staff, haematology nursing staff
and/or Australian clinical haematologists. This content is provided for
information purposes only and we urge you to always seek advice from a
registered health care professional for diagnosis, treatment and answers to your
medical questions, including the suitability of a particular therapy, service,
product or treatment in your circumstances. The Leukaemia Foundation shall not
bear any liability for any person relying on the materials contained on this
website.

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OUR NON-HODGKIN LYMPHOMA STORIES


I WAS A NEW MUM WITH BLOOD CANCER

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celebrating cancer free.




BLOOD CANCER DOESN’T STOP: JOHN-MICHAEL’S STORY

John-Michael has been living without an effective immune system since his
transplant nearly a decade ago.




LIVING WELL WITH MANTLE CELL LYMPHOMA

Geoff’s now back to feeling like his old self and living life to the full,
staying fit and hoping to go back to work.




BLOOD CANCER A – Z

 * Acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL)
 * Acute myeloid leukemia (AML)
 * Acute promyelocytic leukaemia (APML)
 * Adult T-cell lymphoma (ATLL)
 * Anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL)
 * Amyloidosis
 * Aplastic anaemia (AA)
 * Biphenotypic leukaemia
 * Burkitt’s lymphoma
 * Chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL)
 * Chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML)
 * CNS lymphoma
 * Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL)
 * Double hit lymphoma (DHL)
 * Essential Thrombocythaemia (ET)
 * Follicular lymphoma (FL)
 * Hairy cell leukaemia (HCL)
 * Hodgkin lymphoma (HL)
 * Leukaemia / Leukemia
 * Lymphoblastic lymphoma (LL)
 * Lymphoma
 * MALT lymphoma
 * Mantle cell lymphoma (MCL)
 * Marginal zone lymphoma (MZL)
 * Monoclonal gammopathy of unknown significance (MGUS)
 * Myelodysplastic neoplasms (MDS)
 * Myelofibrosis (MF)
 * Myeloma
 * Myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN)
 * Non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL)
 * Peripheral T-cell lymphoma (PTCL)
 * Polycythaemia (Rubra) vera (PRV)
 * Skin lymphomas
 * Small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL)
 * Solitary plasmacytoma
 * Waldenstrom’s macroglobulinaemia (WM)

CURING AND CONQUERING
BLOOD CANCER



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throughout Australia and recognises their continuing connection to land, sea and
community. We pay our respects to their Elders past, present and emerging.


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