Lymphoma is a cancerous disease that affects the lymphatic system. The lymphatic system consists of B, T, and NK cells. When the lymphatic system is affected by cancer, the B, T, and NK cells change and multiply uncontrollably. Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma usually develops in the lymph nodes, spleen or bone marrow.

There are no known causes of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, but there are certain risk factors that have been identified. Age (usually 60-70 years), gender (men are at a higher risk), bacterial infections, viral infections, immune deficiency disorders, history of cancer, exposure to chemicals, and family history are some of the risk factors of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

Symptoms of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
The best way to detect any cancer is to pay heed to the signs and symptoms. The general symptoms of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma   are

• Enlarged lymph nodes
• Development of tumors
• Enlarged spleen or liver
• Chills and fever
• Unexplained weight loss
• Fatigue
• Sweating

Stages of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
When staging non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, physicians look for:

• The number of lymph nodes that are cancerous
• Location of these areas
• If the cancerous nodes are on one or either side of the diaphragm
• If the cancer has spread to the bone marrow or spleen or other organs

Based on the extensive research, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma is classified into 5 stages.

Stage I
In this stage, cancerous cells found in 1 lymph node region or cancerous cells have invaded 1 more lymphatic organ but not any lymph node regions.

Stage II
In this stage, cancerous cells have spread to 2 or more lymph nodes on the same side of the diaphragm or cancer involves 1 organ and the lymph nodes in that region, either with or without cancerous cells in other lymph regions.

Stage III-IV
The cancer in the lymph nodes is present on both sides of the diaphragm, or the cancerous cells have invaded the body beyond the lymph nodes.

Progressive or refractory
When cancerous cells spread even while the patient is being treated is called progressive lymphoma.

Recurrent/relapsed
When cancer comes back after treatment, it is called recurrent or relapsed lymphoma.

Survival Rates for non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
Survival rates for non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma reveal only the percentage of people with the same type and stage of cancer that is alive for a period of at least 5 years after diagnosis. Survival rates, however, do not reveal the outcome in specific cases. According to the SEER database of the National Cancer Institute, the 5-year survival rate is about 90% for stage I Hodgkin’s lymphoma for a data set of 8000 people between 1988 and 2001. For stages II, III, and IV the survival rates were 90%, 80%, and 65%, respectively.

A person may have all or any one of the above symptoms. Whenever any of these symptoms are observed, immediate consultation with a physician helps in early detection and treatment of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.