|
What is non-Hodgkin's lymphomaNon-Hodgkin's lymphoma is a type of cancer of the white blood cells (lymphocytes) that circulate within the lymphatic system. It is very similar to leukaemia which is a cancer of the white blood cells in the blood system.
NHL is a complex disease that is comprised of more than 30 different types of lymphoma. Click on the classification menu item of the left to see all the types of NHL. Lymphoma primarily affects the lymph nodes, and bone marrow, but it can affect the major organs as well. In fact since your lymphatic system circulates to all parts of the body, there is virtually no place where that cannot be affected by lymphoma. One thing that is different about NHL from other types of cancer is that it does not dramatically alter the prognosis when the lymphoma spreads to other organs or body parts. The treatment is generally effective no matter where it has spread. Click on the image below to see a diagram of the structure of a lymph node.
The diagram below gives a great overview of where lymph nodes appear in the body. But for more detailed pictures of where lymph nodes appear, just click on the Lymph nodes menu item on the left menu.
ClassificationThere are over 30 different types of NHL, and while the treatment is often similar, in many cases the treatment is very unique for some types. This large variation in types of NHL make it very difficult to diagnose in some cases. That wise old saying of get a second opinion takes on a whole new meaning. Your first step should be to get a second opinion from an experienced haematopathologist. Before you can begin any treatment plan you need to be confident of what you have first. It is the pathologists job to look at that biopsy specimen and determine what it is. Once the diagnosis is confirmed, then you want to have two or more opinions from expert haematologists or oncologists with a lot of experience in treating NHL.
StageThis is a description of how far the NHL has spread. NHL as you are likely learning is very different from most other cancers. Contrary to what you might be thinking, the stage is far less important for the low grade lymphomas than it is for most other cancers. Even with the aggressive lymphomas, the stage is only of moderate importance to the overall prognosis.
GradeThis category has two meanings. For lymphoma in general the grade means how fast is it growing. Low-Intermediate-High. Or in more common usage Indolent-Aggressive. (Intermediate is usually treated as aggressive). The second meaning of grade is for follicular lymphoma. It is a way of identifying just how slowly or quickly it can be expected to grow. Small cells grow very slowly. Large cells grow somewhat faster, therefore the fewer large cells you have the better your long term survival prospects. On the Grades page you can read more details about it, and see some slides showing what it looks like.
CausesThe causes of lymphoma are not clearly understood. Certain types of herbicides and pesticides are strongly believed to be a risk factor. Several viral infections are implicated in specific types of NHL as well, such as Epstein Barr Virus (Mononucleosis), and HTLV-1 virus (human T-cell lymphotrophic virus type I), Helicobacter pylori, and others. Read the links below for more studies on the causes of NHL.
Hepatitis C virus and risk of non-Hodgkin lymphoma in British Columbia, Canada
Agricultural pesticide use and risk of t(14;18)-defined subtypes of non-Hodgkin lymphoma
Click on the link below if you would like to see some biopsy slides of the various forms of NHL and normal lymph nodes/cells. While these slides are intended for medical professionals, you will find them quite fascinating to look at, and you may even begin to be understand them if you look at various different ones. Lymphoma and other haematological pathology slides The links on the left will take you to a variety of subjects. Of course if there is something you think is missing or if you have comments or questions please don't hesitate to ask a question
|
