Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma as the Fifth Most Common Form of Cancer in the United States
By: Groshan Fabiola

Lymphoma is a disease of the lymphatic system that generally occurs due to overproduction of different types of cells. Due to their abnormal rate of multiplication, these cells have a malign effect on the organism, accumulating in various regions of the lymphatic system and causing swelling and inflammation of the lymph nodes, lymphatic tissues and lymphatic organs (tonsils, spleen or thymus).

There are two main forms of lymphoma: Hodgkin’s Disease, also referred to as Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, and Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. While the incidence of Hodgkin’s Disease in the American population has considerably decreased in the last decades, Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma is still considered to be a serious threat, accounting for more than 4 percent of cancers in the United States. Research results reveal that the incidence of Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma in the American population has doubled since the 70’s. Also, the number of annual cases of Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma in the United States is continuously rising. In present, Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma is considered to be the fifth most common form of cancer among the population of the United States.

Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma can affect people of all ages and regardless of sex. While some subtypes of Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma are mostly common in adults with ages between 40 and 60, other subtypes of the disease have the highest incidence in children. Although the disease can be rarely seen in infants, some forms of Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma mostly occur in children with ages over 5. Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma is more common in the male gender, although the disease can also affect women at more advanced stages of life. Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma is very common in white people, rarely occurring in African-Americans or Asians.

Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma is characterized by an overproduction of lymphocytes (white cells), which accumulate at different levels of the lymphatic system. Due to the abnormal behavior of these cells, determined by Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, the disease is also referred to as lymphoma cancer. Although the actual causes of Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma remain unknown, the disease occurs on the premises of a compromised immune system. Hence, Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma has a very high incidence in people diagnosed with HIV, as their condition renders them susceptible to a wide range of diseases. Certain genetic dysfunctions also seem to be triggers of Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. Medical scientists have identified several genetic abnormalities in people affected by Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, and it is believed that genetic factors play a major role in the development of the disease.

There are around 30 subtypes of Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma and the disease can have different patterns of evolution, generating various symptoms. The process of diagnosing Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma can be very difficult for doctors, as most symptoms generated by the disease have an unspecific character. Apart from swelling and inflammation of the lymph nodes and lymphatic organs (tonsils, spleen), Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma can generate many other symptoms that don’t always point to lymphoma cancer. The disease can be effectively diagnosed only through the means of blood analyses and laboratory tests, which can confirm the presence of Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma in patients. Another effective means of diagnosing Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma involves biopsy of the inflamed organs or tissues, in order to reveal the nature of the disease (benign or malign).

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