Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma is a cancer that begins in the lymphatic system, which is part of the immune system. Cases have been on the rise in recent decades, says the Mayo Clinic, but survival rates have been increasing as well.
Effects
The first sign of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma is often lymph node swelling, especially in the groin, armpit or neck. Other possible symptoms are chest pain, coughing or trouble breathing; tiredness; night sweats; fever; loss of weight; abdominal swelling and/or pain; and very itchy skin.
Types
Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma can be either slow-growing or aggressive. Doctors perform a lymph node biopsy to make a firm diagnosis and determine which type of lymphoma is present.
Slow-Growing Lymphoma Prognosis
Patients can survive slow-growing lymphomas for years, but they are resistant to cure. Treatment may send these cancers into remission, but they almost always come back, says the University of Maryland Medical Center.
Aggressive Lymphoma Prognosis
Aggressive lymphomas can kill quickly, but they are often curable if found early. Symptoms such as lymph swelling typically appear in early stages, allowing speedy treatment. The outcome depends on many factors, including the patient's age and the cancer's stage and spread.
Overall Survival Rates
The overall rate of survival for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma after five years is 63 percent, says the American Cancer Society. Fifty-one percent of patients survive 10 years. These are relative survival rates, calculated after excluding other causes of death.
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