Lymphoma

Hodgkin Lymphoma

What is Hodgkin lymphoma?

Hodgkin lymphoma, or Hodgkin disease, is a cancer of the lymphatic system. The lymphatic system contains lymph vessels, lymph nodes and glands, such as the spleen and thymus. Lymph vessels carry lymph fluid throughout the body. Lymph fluid contains lymphocytes (white blood cells) that help fight infection and disease.

Hodgkin lymphoma causes lymphocytes to grow and divide without control and to form tumors. Hodgkin lymphoma can develop in any lymph tissue in the body. Common places are lymph nodes in the neck, underarm and chest. Cancer cells can travel from lymph node to lymph node and spread through the body.

What increases my risk for Hodgkin lymphoma?

• A family history of Hodgkin lymphoma.
• Infections caused by viruses, such as Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) or Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV).
• Health conditions that affect your immune system, such as an autoimmune disease.

Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma

What is non-Hodgkin lymphoma?

Non-Hodgkin lymphoma, or non-Hodgkin disease, is a cancer of the lymphatic system. The lymphatic system contains lymph vessels, lymph nodes and glands, such as the spleen and thymus. Lymph vessels carry lymph fluid throughout the body. Lymph fluid contains lymphocytes (white blood cells) that help fight infection and disease.

Non-Hodgkin lymphoma causes lymphocytes to grow and divide without control and to form tumors. Non-Hodgkin lymphoma can develop in any lymph tissue in the body. Common places are lymph nodes in the neck, underarm and chest. Cancer cells can travel from lymph node to lymph node and spread through the body.

What increases my risk for non-Hodgkin lymphoma?

There is no known cause of non-Hodgkin lymphoma. The following may increase your risk:

• Long-term exposure to chemicals, such as pesticides, hair dyes, woodworking chemicals or nitrates in drinking water.
• A family history of non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
• Certain drugs, such as amphetamines, LSD, cocaine or smoking cigarettes.
• Exposure to high amounts of radiation.
• A weakened immune system.

Hodgkin Lymphoma

What are the signs and symptoms of Hodgkin lymphoma?

• Swollen lymph node in your neck or underarm.
• Fever, night sweats or itchy skin.
• Weight loss you cannot explain, loss of appetite or fatigue.
• A cough, trouble breathing or chest pain.

How is Hodgkin lymphoma diagnosed?

Your healthcare provider will ask about your symptoms and when they began. Tell your provider if you ever had an infection, such as EBV or if you have a family history of lymphoma or other cancers. The following tests may be used to diagnose Hodgkin lymphoma or to find out if it is early stage or later stage:

• Blood tests: Blood tests may show abnormal white blood cells or signs of anemia (not enough red blood cells). The tests may also be used to measure the amount of inflammation in your blood. Blood tests can also be used to check your liver and kidney function, or see if the cancer has spread to bone.
• Biopsy: A biopsy is a procedure to remove a sample of lymph node or bone marrow to be tested. Bone marrow is tissue inside the bone. Your healthcare provider may test a bone marrow sample to see if the cancer has spread to bone or use a needle to take a sample from a lymph node, or remove a lymph node during surgery. Your provider will also check biopsy samples for Reed-Sternberg cells. These cells help your healthcare provider know if you have Hodgkin lymphoma.
• X-ray, CT, MRI, or PET scans: These tests take pictures of your chest, abdomen and pelvis and may show where the cancer is located. Your healthcare provider may use the X-rays to look for tumors, blockages, signs of infection or other problems. You may be given contrast liquid to help the cancer show up better in the pictures. Tell your healthcare provider if you have ever had an allergic reaction to contrast liquid. Do not enter the MRI room with anything metal. Metal can cause serious injury. Tell the healthcare provider if you have any metal in or on your body.

How is Hodgkin lymphoma treated?

• Chemotherapy: Chemotherapy is medicine used to treat cancer by killing tumor cells. Chemotherapy may also be used to shrink lymph nodes that contain cancer.
• Radiation therapy: Radiation therapy uses X-rays or gamma rays to treat cancer. Radiation kills cancer cells and may stop the cancer from spreading. It may be given alone or with chemotherapy.
• Bone marrow transplant: A bone marrow transplant is a procedure to replace your diseased bone marrow with healthy marrow. You are usually given bone marrow from a donor. Sometimes your own marrow may be used if it is collected when your cancer is in remission (not active). The bone marrow transplant is given to you in an IV while you are in the hospital.

Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma

What are the signs and symptoms of non-Hodgkin lymphoma?

• Swollen lymph nodes in the neck, arm or groin.
• Trouble breathing, chest pain or a cough.
• Feeling more tired than usual.
• Fever, itchy skin or night sweats.
• Pain or swelling in your abdomen and pain in the lower back or in both legs.
• Weight loss you cannot explain.

How is non-Hodgkin lymphoma diagnosed?

Your healthcare provider will ask about your symptoms and when they began. Tell your provider if you have a family history of non-Hodgkin lymphoma or other risk factors. Your healthcare provider will look for symptoms of a problem with an organ to help diagnose non-Hodgkin lymphoma. For example, trouble breathing may mean your lung is affected. You may need any of the following to help diagnose non-Hodgkin lymphoma or find if it is early or later stage:

• Blood tests: Blood tests may show abnormal white blood cells or signs of anemia (not enough red blood cells). The tests may also be used to measure the amount of inflammation in your blood. Blood tests can also be used to check your liver and kidney function, or see if the cancer has spread to bone.
• Biopsy: A biopsy is a procedure to remove a sample of bone marrow or lymph node to be tested. Bone marrow is tissue inside the bone. Your healthcare provider may test a bone marrow sample to see if the cancer has spread to bone or use a needle to take a sample from a lymph node, or remove a lymph node during surgery.
• X-ray, CT, MRI, or PET scan: These tests take pictures of your chest, abdomen and pelvis and may show where the cancer is located. Your healthcare provider may use the X-rays to look for tumors, blockages, signs of infection or other problems. You may be given contrast liquid to help the cancer show up better in the pictures. Tell your healthcare provider if you have ever had an allergic reaction to contrast liquid. Do not enter the MRI room with anything metal. Metal can cause serious injury. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any metal in or on your body.

How is non-Hodgkin lymphoma treated?

Some types of non-Hodgkin lymphoma grow and spread slowly and are called indolent. Others grow and spread quickly and are called aggressive. Treatment depends on the type and how far it has spread in your body.

• Chemotherapy: Chemotherapy is medicine used to treat cancer by killing tumor cells. Chemotherapy may also be used to shrink lymph nodes that contain cancer.
• Radiation therapy: Radiation therapy uses X-rays or gamma rays to treat cancer. Radiation kills cancer cells and may stop the cancer from spreading. It may be given alone or with chemotherapy to treat cancer.
• Bone Marrow Transplant: A bone marrow transplant is a procedure to replace your diseased bone marrow with healthy marrow. You are usually given bone marrow from a donor. Sometimes your own marrow may be used if it is collected when your cancer is in remission (not active). The bone marrow transplant is given to you in an IV while you are in the hospital.