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NON - HODGKIN'S DISEASE
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NON - HODGKIN'S DISEASE
Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma is a disease in which cancer cells are found in the lymph system. The lymph system is made up of thin tubes that branch, like blood vessels, into all parts of the body. Lymph vessels carry lymph, a colorless, watery fluid that contains white blood cells called lymphocytes. Along the network of vessels are groups of small, bean-shaped organs called lymph nodes. Lymph nodes are found in the underarm, pelvis, neck and abdomen. The lymph nodes make and store infection-fighting cells. The spleen (which makes lymphocytes and filters old blood cells from the blood), the thymus (found beneath the breastbone) and the tonsils are also part of the lymph system.
Because you have lymph tissue in many parts of your body, Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma can start in almost any part of your body. the cancer can spread to almost any organ or tissue in your body, including your liver, bone marrow (tissue found inside the large bones that make blood cells), spleen and nose.
Lymphomas are divided into two general types: Hodgkin's disease and Non-Hodgkin's lymphomas. The cancer cells in Non-Hodgkin's disease look different than Hodgkin's. Hodgkin's disease is discussed in our Hodgkin's disease transcript. Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma can also occur in children and is treated differently than for adults.
There are about ten types of Non-Hodgkin's lymphomas. Some types spread more quickly than others. The type is determined by how the cancer cells look. This is called the histology. The histology's are grouped together, based on how quickly they spread, into low-grade (slower growing), intermediate-grade or high-grade (faster growing) lymphomas.
Our Non-Hodgkin's transcripts tells you in detail, the growth rate, progression and response to therapy. Non-Hodgkin's is 3 times as great a cancer as Hodgkin's Disease.
We tell you the staging, definitions, risk factors, symptoms, diagnosis and evaluation, and the best treatments available. We also explain the side-effects and results, so you or a loved one can make the right decision.
