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id="breadcrumbs"><div itemtype="http://schema.org/BreadcrumbList" itemscope="" itemprop="breadcrumb"><span class="hide-offscreen">You Are Here:</span> <div itemscope itemprop="itemListElement" itemtype="http://schema.org/ListItem"> <a href="https://medlineplus.gov" itemprop="item"><span itemprop="name">Home</span></a> → <meta itemprop="position" content="1"/> </div> <div itemscope itemprop="itemListElement" itemtype="http://schema.org/ListItem"> <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/encyclopedia.html" itemprop="item"><span itemprop="name">Medical Encyclopedia</span></a> → <meta itemprop="position" content="2"/> </div> </div><div><span>Non-Hodgkin lymphoma</span></div></div> <span class="page-url print-only">URL of this page: //medlineplus.gov/ency/article/000581.htm </span>  <article><div id="d-article"><div class="page-info"><div class="page-title"><a name="start" id="start"> </a><h1 class="with-also" itemprop="name">Non-Hodgkin lymphoma</h1> </div><div class="page-actions"> </div> <noscript> <span class="js-disabled-message">To use the sharing features on this page, please enable JavaScript.</span> </noscript></div><div class="main"><div id="ency_summary"><p>Non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) is cancer of the lymph tissue. Lymph tissue is found in the lymph nodes, spleen, and other organs of the immune system.</p><p>White blood cells, called lymphocytes, are found in lymph tissue. They help prevent infections. Most lymphomas start in a type of white blood cell called the B lymphocyte, or B cell.</p></div><section><div class="section"><div class="section-header"><div class="section-title"><h2>Causes</h2></div><div class="section-button"><button type="submit" aria-controls="section-1" role="button" title="Expand/Collapse section"><span class="icon icon-section-action"> </span></button></div><div class="sm-live-area hide-offscreen" aria-live="polite"> </div></div><div class="section-body" id="section-1"><p>For most people, the cause of NHL is unknown. But lymphomas may develop in people with weakened immune systems, including people who have had an organ transplant or people with HIV infection or Epstein-Barr virus infection.</p><p>NHL most often affects adults. Men develop NHL more often than women. Children can also develop some forms of NHL.</p><p>There are many types of NHL. One classification (grouping) is by how fast the cancer spreads. The cancer may be low grade (slow growing), intermediate grade, or high grade (fast growing). </p><p>NHL is further grouped by how the cancer cells look under the microscope, what type of white blood cell it originates from, what special tests show about it, and whether there are certain DNA changes in the tumor cells themselves.</p></div></div></section><section><div class="section"><div class="section-header"><div class="section-title"><h2>Symptoms</h2></div><div class="section-button"><button type="submit" aria-controls="section-2" role="button" title="Expand/Collapse section"><span class="icon icon-section-action"> </span></button></div><div class="sm-live-area hide-offscreen" aria-live="polite"> </div></div><div class="section-body" id="section-2"><p>Symptoms depend on what area of the body is affected by the cancer and how fast the cancer is growing.</p><p>Symptoms may include:</p><ul><li>Drenching night sweats</li><li>Fever and chills that come and go</li><li>Itching</li><li><a test="test" href="./003097.htm">Swollen lymph nodes</a> in the neck, underarms, groin, or other areas</li><li>Weight loss</li><li>Coughing or shortness of breath if the cancer affects the thymus gland or lymph nodes in the chest, putting pressure on the windpipe (trachea) or its branches</li><li>Abdominal pain or swelling, leading to loss of appetite, constipation, nausea, and vomiting</li><li>Headache, concentration problems, personality changes, or <a test="test" href="./003200.htm">seizures</a> if the cancer affects the brain </li></ul></div></div></section><section><div class="section"><div class="section-header"><div class="section-title"><h2>Exams and Tests</h2></div><div class="section-button"><button type="submit" aria-controls="section-3" role="button" title="Expand/Collapse section"><span class="icon icon-section-action"> </span></button></div><div class="sm-live-area hide-offscreen" aria-live="polite"> </div></div><div class="section-body" id="section-3"><p>Your health care provider will perform a physical exam and check body areas with lymph nodes to feel if they are swollen.</p><p>The disease is usually diagnosed based on a biopsy of abnormal tissue, usually a <a test="test" href="./003933.htm">lymph node biopsy</a>.</p><p>Other tests that may be done include:</p><ul><li>Blood test to check protein levels, liver function, kidney function, and uric acid level</li><li><a test="test" href="./003642.htm">Complete blood count</a> (CBC) to check for anemia and white blood cell count</li><li><a test="test" href="./003330.htm">CT scans</a> of the chest, abdomen and pelvis</li><li><a test="test" href="./003934.htm">Bone marrow biopsy</a></li><li><a test="test" href="./003827.htm">PET scan</a></li></ul><p>If tests show you have NHL, more tests may be done to see how far it has spread. This is called staging. Staging helps guide future treatment and follow-up.</p></div></div></section><section><div class="section"><div class="section-header"><div class="section-title"><h2>Treatment</h2></div><div class="section-button"><button type="submit" aria-controls="section-4" role="button" title="Expand/Collapse section"><span class="icon icon-section-action"> </span></button></div><div class="sm-live-area hide-offscreen" aria-live="polite"> </div></div><div class="section-body" id="section-4"><p>Treatment depends on:</p><ul><li>The specific type of NHL</li><li>The <a test="test" href="../patientinstructions/000850.htm">stage</a> when you are first diagnosed</li><li>Your age and overall health</li><li>Symptoms, including weight loss, fever, and night sweats</li></ul><p>You may receive <a test="test" href="./002324.htm">chemotherapy</a>, <a test="test" href="./001918.htm">radiation therapy</a>, or both. Or you may not need immediate treatment. Your provider can tell you more about your specific treatment.</p><p>Radioimmunotherapy may be used in some cases. This involves linking a radioactive substance to an antibody that targets the cancerous cells and injecting the substance into the body.</p><p>A type of chemotherapy called <a test="test" href="../patientinstructions/000902.htm">targeted therapy</a> may be tried. It uses a medicine to focus on specific targets (molecules) in or on cancer cells. Using these targets, the medicine disables the cancer cells so they cannot spread.</p><p>High-dose chemotherapy may be given when NHL recurs or fails to respond to the first treatment administered. This is followed by an autologous <a test="test" href="./003009.htm">stem cell transplant</a> (using your own stem cells) to rescue the bone marrow after the high-dose chemotherapy. Stem cells from donors can also be used. With certain types of NHL, these treatment steps are used at first remission to try and achieve a cure. CAR-T cell therapy (a form of <a test="test" href="../patientinstructions/000903.htm">immunotherapy</a>) can be used if lymphoma comes back or does not respond to other treatments.</p><p>Blood transfusions or platelet transfusions may be required if blood counts are low.</p><p>You and your provider may need to manage other concerns during your lymphoma treatment, including:</p><ul><li><a test="test" href="../patientinstructions/000496.htm">Having chemotherapy at home</a></li><li><a test="test" href="./003967.htm">Managing your pets</a> during chemotherapy</li><li><a test="test" href="../patientinstructions/000022.htm">Bleeding problems</a></li><li><a test="test" href="../patientinstructions/000032.htm">Dry mouth</a></li><li><a test="test" href="../patientinstructions/000035.htm">Eating enough calories</a></li></ul></div></div></section><section><div class="section"><div class="section-header"><div class="section-title"><h2>Support Groups</h2></div><div class="section-button"><button type="submit" aria-controls="section-5" role="button" title="Expand/Collapse section"><span class="icon icon-section-action"> </span></button></div><div class="sm-live-area hide-offscreen" aria-live="polite"> </div></div><div class="section-body" id="section-5"><p>You can ease the stress of illness by joining a <a test="test" href="./002166.htm">cancer support group</a>. Sharing with others who have common experiences and problems can help you not feel alone.</p></div></div></section><section><div class="section"><div class="section-header"><div class="section-title"><h2>Outlook (Prognosis)</h2></div><div class="section-button"><button type="submit" aria-controls="section-6" role="button" title="Expand/Collapse section"><span class="icon icon-section-action"> </span></button></div><div class="sm-live-area hide-offscreen" aria-live="polite"> </div></div><div class="section-body" id="section-6"><p>Low-grade NHL often cannot be cured by chemotherapy alone. Low-grade NHL progresses slowly and may take many years before the disease gets worse or even requires treatment. The need for treatment is usually determined by the type of lymphoma, symptoms, and how fast the disease is progressing.</p><p>Chemotherapy may cure many types of high-grade lymphomas. If the cancer does not respond to chemotherapy, the disease can cause rapid death.</p></div></div></section><section><div class="section"><div class="section-header"><div class="section-title"><h2>Possible Complications</h2></div><div class="section-button"><button type="submit" aria-controls="section-7" role="button" title="Expand/Collapse section"><span class="icon icon-section-action"> </span></button></div><div class="sm-live-area hide-offscreen" aria-live="polite"> </div></div><div class="section-body" id="section-7"><p>NHL itself and its treatments can lead to health problems. These include:</p><ul><li><a test="test" href="./000576.htm">Autoimmune hemolytic anemia</a>, a condition in which red blood cells are destroyed by the immune system</li><li>Infection</li><li>Side effects of chemotherapy drugs </li></ul><p>Keep following up with a provider who knows about monitoring and preventing these complications.</p></div></div></section><section><div class="section"><div class="section-header"><div class="section-title"><h2>When to Contact a Medical Professional</h2></div><div class="section-button"><button type="submit" aria-controls="section-8" role="button" title="Expand/Collapse section"><span class="icon icon-section-action"> </span></button></div><div class="sm-live-area hide-offscreen" aria-live="polite"> </div></div><div class="section-body" id="section-8"><p>Contact your provider if you develop symptoms of this disorder.</p><p>If you have NHL, contact your provider if you experience persistent fever or other signs of infection.</p></div></div></section><section><div class="section"><div class="section-header"><div class="section-title"><h2>Alternative Names</h2></div><div class="section-button"><button type="submit" aria-controls="section-Alt" role="button" title="Expand/Collapse section"><span class="icon icon-section-action"> </span></button></div><div class="sm-live-area hide-offscreen" aria-live="polite"> </div></div><div class="section-body" id="section-Alt"><p>Lymphoma - non-Hodgkin; Lymphocytic lymphoma; Histiocytic lymphoma; Lymphoblastic lymphoma; Cancer - non-Hodgkin lymphoma; NHL; Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma</p></div></div></section><section><div class="section sec-mb"><div class="section-header"><div class="section-title"><h2>Patient Instructions</h2></div><div class="section-button"><button type="submit" aria-controls="section-carepnt" role="button" title="Expand/Collapse section"><span class="icon icon-section-action"> </span></button></div><div class="sm-live-area hide-offscreen" aria-live="polite"> </div></div><div name="Patient Instructions" class="section-body" id="section-carepnt"><ul class="side-nav"><li><a href="../patientinstructions/000010.htm">Bone marrow transplant - discharge</a></li> <li><a href="../patientinstructions/000185.htm">Chemotherapy - what to ask your doctor</a></li> <li><a href="../patientinstructions/000187.htm">Radiation therapy - questions to ask your doctor</a></li> </ul></div></div></section><section><div class="section sec-mb"><div class="section-header"><div class="section-title"><h2>Images</h2></div><div class="section-button"><button type="submit" aria-controls="section-tnails" role="button" title="Expand/Collapse section"><span class="icon icon-section-action"> </span></button></div><div class="sm-live-area hide-offscreen" aria-live="polite"> </div></div><div name="Images" class="section-body" id="section-tnails"><ul class="img-grid group"> <li><img src="//medlineplus.gov/ency/images/ency/tnails/1186t.jpg" alt="Lymphoma, malignant - CT scan" title="Lymphoma, malignant - CT scan" class="side-img"/><a href="../imagepages/1186.htm">Lymphoma, malignant - CT scan</a></li> <li><img src="//medlineplus.gov/ency/images/ency/tnails/8932t.jpg" alt="Immune system structures" title="Immune system structures" class="side-img"/><a href="../imagepages/8932.htm">Immune system structures</a></li> <li><img src="//medlineplus.gov/ency/images/ency/tnails/1104t.jpg" alt="Lymphatic system" title="Lymphatic system" class="side-img"/><a href="../imagepages/1104.htm">Lymphatic system</a></li> </ul></div></div></section><section><div class="section"><div class="section-header"><div class="section-title"><h2>References</h2></div><div class="section-button"><button type="submit" aria-controls="section-Ref" role="button" title="Expand/Collapse section"><span class="icon icon-section-action"> </span></button></div><div class="sm-live-area hide-offscreen" aria-live="polite"> </div></div><div class="section-body" id="section-Ref"><p>Abramson JS. Non-Hodgkin lymphomas. In: Niederhuber JE, Armitage JO, Kastan MB, Doroshow JH, Tepper JE, eds. <em>Abeloff's Clinical Oncology</em>. 6th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 103.</p><p>National Cancer Institute website. B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma treatment (PDQ) - health professional version. <a href="https://www.cancer.gov/types/lymphoma/hp/adult-nhl-treatment-pdq" target="_blank">www.cancer.gov/types/lymphoma/hp/adult-nhl-treatment-pdq</a>. Updated July 11, 2024. Accessed August 2, 2024.</p><p>National Cancer Institute website. Childhood non-Hodgkin lymphoma treatment (PDQ) - health professional version. <a href="https://www.cancer.gov/types/lymphoma/hp/child-nhl-treatment-pdq" target="_blank">www.cancer.gov/types/lymphoma/hp/child-nhl-treatment-pdq</a>. Updated April 30, 2024. Accessed August 2, 2024.</p></div></div></section> <section><div class="section"><div class="section-header"><div class="section-title"><h2>Review Date 2/2/2023</h2></div><div class="section-button"><button type="submit" aria-controls="section-version" role="button" title="Expand/Collapse section"><span class="icon icon-section-action"> </span></button></div><div class="sm-live-area hide-offscreen" aria-live="polite"> </div></div> <div id="section-version" class="section-body"><p>Updated by: Mark Levin, MD, Hematologist and Oncologist, Monsey, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Internal review and update on 02/20/2024 by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. 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