Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma

Cancer that starts in the lymphatic system

Non-Hodgkin lymphoma is a cancer of the lymph nodes – glands that help the body fight infection. Non-Hodgkin lymphoma is more common in adults aged 65 and older, and is more common than Hodgkin lymphoma.

There are many different types of non-Hodgkin lymphoma. The two main sub-types are B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphomas (85% of cases) and T-cell non-Hodgkin lymphomas (15% of cases). NK-cell lymphomas are the rarest sub-type. Further characterization is made based on a biopsy, and this is very important because the treatment depends on the sub-type.

Some non-Hodgkin lymphomas grow very rapidly (aggressive), requiring immediate treatment. Others are slow growing (indolent) and do not necessarily require immediate treatment; patients can often be observed over time.

Treatment

Treatment for non-Hodgkin lymphoma can include:

Active surveillance, also known as observation
Chemotherapy and antibody therapy
Radiation therapy
Bone marrow transplantation (also known as stem cell transplantation)
CAR-T cell therapy, where a patient’s immune system is engineered to attack the cancer cells
Our team of specialists at Penn State Cancer Institute will discuss standard and experimental options with you and your family.

Symptoms and Diagnosis

Non-Hodgkin lymphoma - also called non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma - is a cancer of the lymph nodes, glands that help the body fight infection.

Symptoms

Symptoms of non-Hodgkin lymphoma include:

Painless swollen lymph nodes (glands) in the neck, armpit, groin or under the chin
Fevers
Drenching night sweats
Unexplained weight loss

Diagnosis

A biopsy of the affected lymph nodes will determine if you have the disease. This is a minor procedure done by a surgeon that causes little discomfort or risk to the patient. The tissue is examined under a microscope and tested to determine which type of cells are growing abnormally.