Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma (NHL)

Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (also referred to as NHL) is cancer of the lymphoid tissues, which are part of the body's immune system. There are more than 30 different types of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, often making classification difficult. The disease is typically divided into two categories: indolent (slow-growing) and aggressive (fast-growing). Around 70,000 new cases of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma are diagnosed in the United States each year. The five-year survival rate for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma varies but is generally above 60%. The majority of patients are over age 60 and/or individuals with a weakened immune system. Symptoms include fevers, chills, night sweats, swollen lymph nodes in the neck, armpits, or groin, abdominal or chest pain, weight loss, and itching. The stages of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma range from I to IV, depending on tumor size and how it has spread. Treatments include chemotherapy, radiation, and stem cell transplant.