Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin's, Adult: General Information

Adult non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma is a disease in which malignant (cancer) cells form in the lymph system.

The lymph system is part of the immune system and is made up of the following:

• Lymph: Colorless, watery fluid that travels through the lymph system and carries white blood cells called lymphocytes. Lymphocytes protect the body against infections and the growth of tumors.
• Lymph vessels: A network of thin tubes that collect lymph from different parts of the body and return it to the bloodstream.
• Lymph nodes: Small, bean-shaped structures that filter substances in lymph and help fight infection and disease. Lymph nodes are located along the network of lymph vessels found throughout the body. Clusters of lymph nodes are found in the underarm, pelvis, neck, abdomen, and groin.
• Spleen: An organ that makes lymphocytes, filters the blood, stores blood cells, and destroys old blood cells. It is located on the left side of the abdomen near the stomach.
• Thymus: An organ in which lymphocytes grow and multiply. The thymus is in the chest behind the breastbone.
• Tonsils: Two small masses of lymph tissue at the back of the throat. The tonsils make lymphocytes.
• Bone marrow: The soft, spongy tissue in the center of large bones. Bone marrow makes white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets.

Because lymph tissue is found throughout the body, adult non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma can begin in almost any part of the body. Cancer can spread to the liver and many other organs and tissues.

Warning Signs

Possible signs of adult non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma include fever, sweating, fatigue, and weight loss.

These and other symptoms may be caused by adult non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Other conditions may cause the same symptoms. A doctor should be consulted if any of the following problems occur:

• Painless swelling in the lymph nodes in the neck, underarm, groin, or stomach.
• Fever for no known reason.
• Drenching night sweats.
• Feeling very tired.
• Weight loss for no known reason.
• Skin rash or itchy skin.
• Pain in the chest, abdomen, or bones for no known reason.

Tests that examine the body and lymph system are used to help detect (find) and diagnose adult non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

The following tests and procedures may be used:

• Physical exam and history: An exam of the body to check general signs of health, including checking for signs of disease, such as lumps or anything else that seems unusual. A history of the patient’s health habits and past illnesses and treatments will also be taken.
• Complete blood count (CBC): A procedure in which a sample of blood is drawn and checked for the following:
  • The number of red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets.
  • The amount of hemoglobin (the protein that carries oxygen) in the red blood cells.
  • The portion of the sample made up of red blood cells.
• Blood chemistry studies: A procedure in which a blood sample is checked to measure the amounts of certain substances released into the blood by organs and tissues in the body. An unusual (higher or lower than normal) amount of a substance can be a sign of disease in the organ or tissue that makes it.
• Lymph node biopsy: The removal of all or part of a lymph node. A pathologist views the tissue under a microscope to look for cancer cells. One of the following types of biopsies may be done:
  • Excisional biopsy: The removal of an entire lymph node.
  • Incisional biopsy: The removal of part of a lymph node.
  • Core biopsy: The removal of part of a lymph node using a wide needle.
  • Needle biopsy: The removal of part of a lymph node using a thin needle. This procedure is also called a fine-needle aspiration biopsy.
• Bone marrow aspiration and biopsy: The removal of bone marrow, blood, and a small piece of bone by inserting a needle into the hipbone or breastbone. A pathologist views the bone marrow, blood, and bone under a microscope to look for signs of cancer.
• Liver function tests: A procedure in which a blood sample is checked to measure the amounts of certain substances released into the blood by the liver. For non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, the blood is checked for an enzyme called lactate dehydrogenase (LDH). LDH levels help determine prognosis (chance of recovery).

Certain factors affect prognosis (chance of recovery) and treatment options.

The prognosis (chance of recovery) and treatment options depend on the following:

• The stage of the cancer.
• The type of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.
• The patient’s age and general health.
• Whether the lymphoma has just been diagnosed or has recurred (come back).

Prognosis also depends on the level of LDH in the blood.

Stages of Adult Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma

After adult non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma has been diagnosed, tests are done to find out if cancer cells have spread within the lymph system or to other parts of the body.

The process used to find out the type of cancer and if cancer cells have spread within the lymph system or to other parts of the body is called staging. The information gathered from the staging process determines the stage of the disease. It is important to know the stage of the disease in order to plan treatment. The following tests and procedures may be used in the staging process:

• Chest x-ray: An x-ray of the organs and bones inside the chest. An x-ray is a type of energy beam that can go through the body and onto film, making a picture of areas inside the body.
• CT scan (CAT scan): A procedure that makes a series of detailed pictures of areas inside the body, taken from different angles. The pictures are made by a computer linked to an x-ray machine. A dye may be injected into a vein or swallowed to help the organs or tissues show up more clearly. This procedure is also called computed tomography, computerized tomography, or computerized axial tomography.
• PET scan (positron emission tomography scan): A procedure to find malignant tumor cells in the body. A small amount of radionuclide glucose (sugar) is injected into a vein. The PET scanner rotates around the body and makes a picture of where glucose is being used in the body. Malignant tumor cells show up brighter in the picture because they are more active and take up more glucose than normal cells do.
• MRI (magnetic resonance imaging): A procedure that uses a magnet, radio waves, and a computer to make a series of detailed pictures of areas inside the body. This procedure is also called nuclear magnetic resonance imaging (NMRI).
• Gallium scan: A procedure to detect areas of the body where cells, such as cancer cells, are dividing rapidly. A very small amount of radioactive material, gallium, is injected into a vein and travels through the bloodstream. The gallium collects in the bones or other tissues (organs) and is detected by a scanner.
• Bone marrow aspiration and biopsy: The removal of bone marrow, blood, and a small piece of bone by inserting a needle into the hipbone or breastbone. A pathologist views the bone marrow, blood, and bone under a microscope to look for signs of cancer.
• Lumbar puncture: A procedure used to collect cerebrospinal fluid from the spinal column. This is done by placing a needle into the spinal column. This procedure is also called an LP or spinal tap.

Stages of adult non-Hodgkin's lymphoma may include E and S.

• E: "E" stands for extranodal and means the cancer is found in an area or organ other than the lymph nodes or has spread to tissues beyond, but near, the major lymphatic areas.
• S: "S" stands for spleen and means the cancer is found in the spleen.

The following stages are used for adult non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma:

Stage I

Stage I adult non-Hodgkin's lymphoma is divided into stage I and stage IE.

• Stage I: Cancer is found in one lymph node group.
• Stage IE: Cancer is found in an area or organ other than the lymph nodes.

Stage II

Stage II adult non-Hodgkin's lymphoma is divided into stage II and stage IIE.

• Stage II: Cancer is found in two or more lymph node groups on the same side of the diaphragm (the thin muscle below the lungs that helps breathing and separates the chest from the abdomen).
• Stage IIE: Cancer is found in an area or organ other than the lymph nodes and in lymph nodes near that area or organ, and may have spread to other lymph node groups on the same side of the diaphragm.

Stage III

Stage III adult non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma is divided into stage III, stage IIIE, stage IIIS, and stage IIIS+E.

• Stage III: Cancer is found in lymph node groups on both sides of the diaphragm (the thin muscle below the lungs that helps breathing and separates the chest from the abdomen).
• Stage IIIE: Cancer is found in lymph node groups on both sides of the diaphragm and in an area or organ other than the lymph nodes.
• Stage IIIS: Cancer is found in lymph node groups on both sides of the diaphragm and in the spleen.
• Stage IIIS+E: Cancer is found in lymph node groups on both sides of the diaphragm, in an area or organ other than the lymph nodes, and in the spleen.

Stage IV

In stage IV adult non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, the cancer either:

• is found throughout one or more organs other than the lymph nodes and may be in lymph nodes near those organs; or
• is found in one organ other than the lymph nodes and has spread to lymph nodes far away from that organ.

Adult non-Hodgkin’s lymphomas are also described in terms of how fast they grow and the location of affected lymph nodes.

Indolent or aggressive:

• Indolent lymphomas: These tend to grow and spread slowly and have few symptoms.
• Aggressive lymphomas: These grow and spread quickly and have severe symptoms. Lymphoblastic lymphoma, diffuse small noncleaved cell lymphoma/Burkitt lymphoma, and mantle cell lymphoma are 3 types of aggressive adult non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Aggressive lymphomas are seen more often in patients who are HIV-positive (AIDS-related lymphoma).

Contiguous or noncontiguous:

• Contiguous lymphomas: Lymphomas in which the lymph nodes containing cancer are next to each other.
• Noncontiguous lymphomas: Lymphomas in which the lymph nodes containing cancer are not next to each other, but are on the same side of the diaphragm.

Treatment Option Overview

Different types of treatment are available for patients with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Some treatments are standard (the currently used treatment), and some are being tested in clinical trials. Before starting treatment, patients may want to think about taking part in a clinical trial. A treatment clinical trial is a research study meant to help improve current treatments or obtain information on new treatments for patients with cancer. When clinical trials show that a new treatment is better than the standard treatment, the new treatment may become the standard treatment.

Clinical trials are taking place in many parts of the country. Information about ongoing clinical trials is available from the NCI Web site. Choosing the most appropriate cancer treatment is a decision that ideally involves the patient, family, and health care team.

Four types of standard treatment are used:

Radiation therapy

Radiation therapy is a cancer treatment that uses high-energy x-rays or other types of radiation to kill cancer cells. There are two types of radiation therapy. External radiation therapy uses a machine outside the body to send radiation toward the cancer. Internal radiation therapy uses a radioactive substance sealed in needles, seeds, wires, or catheters that are placed directly into or near the cancer. The way the radiation therapy is given depends on the type and stage of the cancer being treated.

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy is a cancer treatment that uses drugs to stop the growth of cancer cells, either by killing the cells or by stopping the cells from dividing. When chemotherapy is taken by mouth or injected into a vein or muscle, the drugs enter the bloodstream and can reach cancer cells throughout the body (systemic chemotherapy). When chemotherapy is placed directly into the spinal column, an organ, or a body cavity such as the abdomen, the drugs mainly affect cancer cells in those areas (regional chemotherapy). To treat certain types of adult non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma that spread to the brain, CNS prophylaxis (chemotherapy given to kill cancer cells in the brain or spinal cord) may be used. The way the chemotherapy is given depends on the type and stage of the cancer being treated.

Combination chemotherapy is treatment using two or more anticancer drugs. Steroid drugs may be added, to relieve swelling and inflammation.

Biologic therapy

Biologic therapy is a treatment that uses the patient’s immune system to fight cancer. Substances made by the body or made in a laboratory are used to boost, direct, or restore the body’s natural defenses against cancer. This type of cancer treatment is also called biotherapy or immunotherapy.

Monoclonal antibody therapy is a type of biologic therapy used to treat adult non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. This is a cancer treatment that uses antibodies made in the laboratory, from a single type of immune system cell. These antibodies can identify substances on cancer cells or normal substances that may help cancer cells grow. The antibodies attach to the substances and kill the cancer cells, block their growth, or keep them from spreading. Monoclonal antibodies are given by infusion. They may be used alone or to carry drugs, toxins, or radioactive material directly to cancer cells. Monoclonal antibodies that have been joined to radioactive material are called radiolabeled monoclonal antibodies.

Watchful waiting

Watchful waiting is closely monitoring a patient’s condition without giving any treatment until symptoms appear or change.

New types of treatment are being tested in clinical trials. These include the following:

Vaccine therapy

Vaccine therapy is a type of biologic therapy that uses a substance or group of substances meant to cause the immune system to respond to a tumor and kill it.

High-dose chemotherapy with stem cell transplant

High-dose chemotherapy with stem cell transplant is a method of giving high doses of chemotherapy and replacing blood-forming cells destroyed by the cancer treatment. Stem cells (immature blood cells) are removed from the blood or bone marrow of the patient or a donor and are frozen and stored. After the chemotherapy is completed, the stored stem cells are thawed and given back to the patient through an infusion. These reinfused stem cells grow into (and restore) the body’s blood cells.

Treatment Options by Stage

Indolent, Stage I and Contiguous Stage II Adult Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma

Treatment of indolent, stage I and contiguous stage II adult non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma may include the following:

• Radiation therapy directed at the area where cancer is found.
• Watchful waiting.
• Radiation therapy directed at the area where cancer is found and nearby lymph nodes.
• Chemotherapy with radiation therapy.

Aggressive, Stage I and Contiguous Stage II Adult Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma

Treatment of aggressive, stage I and contiguous stage II adult non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma may include the following:

• Combination chemotherapy with or without radiation therapy to areas where cancer is found.
• A clinical trial of monoclonal antibody therapy and combination chemotherapy with steroids. Radiation therapy may also be given.

Indolent, Noncontiguous Stage II/III/IV Adult Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma

Treatment of indolent, noncontiguous stage II/III/IV adult non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma may include the following:

• Watchful waiting for patients who do not have symptoms.
• Chemotherapy with or without steroids.
• Combination chemotherapy with steroids.
• Monoclonal antibody therapy with or without combination chemotherapy.
• Radiolabeled monoclonal antibody therapy.
• Radiation therapy directed at the area where cancer is found and nearby lymph nodes, for patients who have stage III disease.
• A clinical trial of chemotherapy with or without total-body irradiation (radiation therapy to the entire body) or radiolabeled monoclonal antibody therapy, followed by autologous or allogeneic stem cell transplant.
• A clinical trial of chemotherapy with or without vaccine therapy.

Aggressive, Noncontiguous Stage II/III/IV Adult Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma

Treatment of aggressive, noncontiguous stage II/III/IV adult non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma may include the following:

• Combination chemotherapy alone.
• Combination chemotherapy with radiation therapy or monoclonal antibody therapy.
• Combination chemotherapy with CNS prophylaxis.
• A clinical trial of autologous or allogeneic stem cell transplant for patients who are likely to relapse.

Adult Lymphoblastic Lymphoma

Treatment of adult lymphoblastic lymphoma may include the following:

• Combination chemotherapy and CNS prophylaxis.
• A clinical trial of autologous or allogeneic stem cell transplant.

Diffuse Small Noncleaved Cell/Burkitt Lymphoma

Treatment of adult diffuse small noncleaved cell/Burkitt lymphoma may include the following:

• Combination chemotherapy and CNS prophylaxis.
• A clinical trial of combination chemotherapy.
• A clinical trial of autologous or allogeneic stem cell transplant.

Recurrent Adult Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma

Recurrent adult non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma is cancer that has recurred (come back) after it has been treated. The lymphoma may come back in the lymph system or in other parts of the body. Indolent lymphoma may come back as aggressive lymphoma. Aggressive lymphoma may come back as indolent lymphoma.

Indolent, Recurrent Adult Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma

Treatment of indolent lymphoma that comes back as aggressive lymphoma may include the following:

• A clinical trial of autologous or allogeneic stem cell transplant.
• A clinical trial of combination chemotherapy followed by radiation therapy or stem cell transplant and radiation therapy.
• A clinical trial of monoclonal antibody therapy.
• A clinical trial of radiolabeled monoclonal antibody therapy.

Treatment of indolent, recurrent adult non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma may include the following:  

• Chemotherapy with one or more drugs.
• Radiation therapy.
• Radiation therapy and/or chemotherapy as palliative therapy to relieve symptoms and improve quality of life.
• Monoclonal antibody therapy.
• A clinical trial of radiolabeled monoclonal antibody therapy.
• A clinical trial of monoclonal antibody therapy as palliative therapy to relieve symptoms and improve quality of life.
• A clinical trial of autologous or allogeneic stem cell transplant.

Treatment of indolent lymphoma that comes back as aggressive lymphoma may include the following:

• A clinical trial of autologous or allogeneic stem cell transplant.
• A clinical trial of combination chemotherapy followed by radiation therapy or stem cell transplant and radiation therapy.
• A clinical trial of monoclonal antibody therapy.
• A clinical trial of radiolabeled monoclonal antibody therapy.

Aggressive, Recurrent Adult Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma

Treatment of aggressive, recurrent adult non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma may include the following:

• Stem cell transplant.
• Monoclonal antibody therapy.
• A clinical trial of autologous or allogeneic stem cell transplant.
• A clinical trial of combination chemotherapy followed by radiation therapy or stem cell transplant and radiation therapy.
• A clinical trial of radiolabeled monoclonal antibody therapy.

Treatment of aggressive lymphoma that comes back as indolent lymphoma may include the following:

• Chemotherapy.
• Palliative therapy to relieve symptoms and improve quality of life.

  Your Cancer Today Videos: Cancer Survivor Stories

• Watch as Suannah Nichols shares her story as a Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma survivor.
• Allison Farish shares her struggle with Stage 4 Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma during pregnancy.

• Nathan McCosker is a survivor of Non-Hodgkins Burkitt’s Lymphoma.

Source:  National Cancer Institute