Non-Hodgkin lymphoma
Overview
Non-Hodgkin lymphoma is a type of cancer that develops in the lymphatic system, a network of vessels and glands spread throughout your body.
Causes
The exact cause of non-Hodgkin lymphoma is unknown. But your risk of developing the condition is increased if: you have a medical condition that weakens your immune systemyou take immunosuppressant medicineyou have previously been exposed to a common virus called the Epstein-Barr virus, which causesglandular fever You also have a slightly increased risk of developing non-Hodgkin lymphoma if a close relative (such as a parent or sibling) has had the condition.
Treatment
There are many subtypes of non-Hodgkin lymphoma, but they can generally be put into 1 of 2 broad categories: high-grade or aggressive non-Hodgkin lymphoma – where the cancer grows quickly and aggressivelylow-grade or indolent non-Hodgkin lymphoma – where the cancer grows slowly and you may not experience any symptoms for many years The outlook and treatment for non-Hodgkin lymphoma varies greatly, depending on the exact type, grade and extent of the lymphoma, and the person's age. Low-grade tumours do not necessarily require immediate medical treatment, but are harder to completely cure. High-grade lymphomas need to be treated straight away, but tend to respond much better to treatment and can often be cured. The main treatments used for non-Hodgkin lymphoma are: chemotherapyradiotherapya targeted treatment called monoclonal antibody therapy Overall, most cases of non-Hodgkin lymphoma are considered very treatable.