Remind me about aggressive NHL
If you have aggressive non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL) and you’ve been in remission for a while, it may have been some time since you’ve had to think about the details of the disease.
f your aggressive NHL has relapsed, you can use this section of Lymphoma Life to help remind yourself what aggressive NHL is and to find links to more information.
During a relapse, you may begin to experience symptoms again, or you may still be feeling relatively well and your doctors may have identified your relapse during a routine check-up. This can often be distressing, but it is important to remember that, with treatment and support, many people with aggressive NHL can continue to live relatively normally.
What has caused my non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma?
Cancer is caused when cells in your body begin to grow in an uncontrolled manner.
This can happen for various reasons, but it usually means that certain cells have become unable to control their growth properly, growing much more quickly and dividing much more often than they should.
In non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, a special kind of white blood cells called the lymphocytes have become affected by cancer and have started growing uncontrollably.
Which parts of my body can non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma affect?
White blood cells, including lymphocytes, are part of your body’s natural defence system, your immune system, and their job is to help your body fight infections. These special blood cells are usually found in your lymphatic system, which is a network of vessels that flows all around your body and is similar to your blood system.
In NHL, when lymphocytes start growing uncontrollably, they often collect in the vessels of the lymphatic system causing lumps or swellings known as lymphomas. In particular, these swellings are formed in your lymph nodes, which are often called glands, and are a part of your lymphatic system. These swellings are one of the most common symptoms of NHL.
Because the lymphatic system runs all through your body, lymphomas can form in any body organ; for example, it is common to find lymphomas in the liver or spleen. But they can form anywhere from the brain, to the stomach, to the bone marrow.
Find out more about the lymphatic system
Find out more about aggressive non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
How will aggressive non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma affect my life?
Aggressive non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL) is a rapidly growing disease that normally requires prompt treatment. People with relapsed aggressive NHL can have long periods of remission, when they have no symptoms. Although cure is less likely once the disease relapses, it is still possible.
During remission, as you may have experienced, your quality of life can be excellent and you can carry on almost as normal. You may need to make a few lifestyle changes when in remission and you may go through several cycles of relapse and remission throughout your life.
Read about changes that might help you during remission from non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
The treatment that you will receive is designed to help you live as normal a life as possible. Although the treatment periods can be demanding, the time you spend in treatment should be far outweighed by the time you spend in remission and feel relatively well.
Your experience of relapsed non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma will depend on exactly what type of NHL you have and your own individual response to the disease. So the best person to talk to about your situation is your own doctor or specialist nurse. However, Lymphoma Life can give you a good idea of what most people experience.
Read more about what to expect with aggressive non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
Read more about living with relapsed aggressive non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma