An uncommon cancer that develops in the lymphatic system, which is a network of vessels and glands spread throughout your body and is part of your immune system.
The lymphatic system
A clear fluid called lymph flows through the lymphatic vessels and contains infection-fighting white blood cells known as lymphocytes, it is found in:
Lymph nodes: bean-sized collections of lymphocytes found in small groups throughout the body, including inside the chest, abdomen, and pelvis. They can sometimes be felt under the skin in the neck, under the arms, and in the groin.
Thymus: a small organ behind the upper part of the breastbone and in front of the heart.
Spleen: an organ under the lower part of the rib cage on the left side of the body.
Tonsils and adenoids: collections of lymphoid tissue at the back of the throat.
Bone marrow: the soft inner part of certain bones
Digestive tract: the stomach and intestines
Liver
In non-Hodgkin lymphoma, the affected lymphocytes start to multiply (an unknown reason) in an abnormal way and begin to collect in certain parts of the lymphatic system, such as the lymph nodes (glands).
The affected lymphocytes lose their infection-fighting properties, making you more vulnerable to infection.
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Hodgkin lymphoma can itself be subdivided into two forms: classic Hodgkin lymphoma, which accounts for 95% of cases, and nodular lymphocyte predominant Hodgkin lymphoma.
The simplest way of classifying non-Hodgkin lymphomas is by the cell of origin.
More than 90% originate in B-lymphocytes, with less than 10% being T-cell lymphoma or NK cell lymphomas.
Hodgkin’s lymphoma
There is a cancer called Hodgkin’s lymphoma these are marked by the presence of specific white blood cells called Reed-Sternberg cells, and is a more rare condition.
Symptoms include:
Cervical or supraclavicular nodes in the neck.
About 25% of patients present with the three ‘B symptoms’: night sweats, unexplained fever and weight loss of more than 10% over six months.
Other presenting features include fatigue, itching and alcohol-induced pain.
i.e. Mycosis Fungoides, Alibert-Bazin syndrome, Sezary syndrome collectively called non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
A rare type of cancer that begins in white blood cells called T cells (T lymphocytes). These cells normally help your body’s germ-fighting immune system.
Males tend to have it more than females.
If one needs vaccinations for travelling abroad or as general routine, please let your Healthcare professional who will provide such a service and let them know you have this condition.
In cutaneous T-cell lymphoma, the mutations cause too many abnormal T cells that attack the skin. T cells are part of your immune system, and they normally help your body fight germs.
It is unknown why the cells attack the skin.
Change (mutation) in the DNA of a type of white blood cell called lymphocytes
Recipients of organ transplantation who are receiving immunosuppressants such as ciclosporin or tacrolimus are at risk of developing post-transplant lymphoproliferative disease (PTLD), a proliferation of B cells caused by the Epstein-Barr virus that, if untreated, can progress to non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
If one needs vaccinations for travelling abroad or as general routine, please let your Healthcare professional who will provide such a service and let them know you have this condition.
Please talk to your healthcare professional (i.e. Medical Doctor/Pharmacist) for further advice
Detailed Information
Please copy and paste any key words from the title: Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma in the following respective 'Medtick References and/or Sources' to find out more about the disease (this also may include diagnosis tests and generic medical treatments).
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