What is aggressive NHL?
If you’ve recently been diagnosed with aggressive non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL) you’ve probably had a lot of information from your doctors about what it is, what it involves and information about your treatment.
It is often hard to take all this information in at first, and many people find it difficult to understand and deal with, particularly in a relatively short space of time. Here at Lymphoma Life, we’ll help you understand what aggressive NHL is.
Aggressive NHL is a fast-growing form of the disease that has a variety of different subtypes. It usually responds well to treatment and a cure is often achieved. The goal is to achieve cure, if it is not possible, treatment will be aimed at improving your quality of life by controlling your symptoms (this is described as palliative care).
How did I get aggressive non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma?
It is normal to think ‘Why me?’ when faced with a diagnosis like aggressive non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. But it is important to remember that nothing you have done caused you to develop the disease.
Find out more about who gets lymphoma
Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma is a type of cancer that affects certain white blood cells
Lymphoma is a cancer of the blood
There are two main types of lymphoma: non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL) and Hodgkin’s lymphoma. The diseases are different and Lymphoma Life only talks about NHL.
Cancer occurs when cells start growing uncontrollably
Your body is made up of cells. Most cells last a short time before dying and being replaced by new ones. Sometimes, this cycle stops working and the cells grow and multiply uncontrollably, and may not die off when they should. This is what happens in cancer.
White blood cells, which normally fight infection for you, are the cells that are affected by non-Hodgkin's lymphoma
Blood contains two main types of cells:
- Red blood cells, which carry oxygen and give the blood its colour
- White blood cells, which are part of your body’s natural defence system – known as the immune system – and are normally there to fight infection.
There are many different types of white blood cell, which all have different roles to play in your immune system.
In NHL, a type of white blood cell called a lymphocyte grows uncontrollably. So NHL is a cancer of your lymphocytes.
Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma is a cancer of the lymphatic system
The lymphatic system is similar to your blood system
All blood flows though blood vessels (arteries and veins). White blood cells, including lymphocytes, also flow through a different network of vessels called the lymphatic system, which also transports fluid and nutrients around the body.
In non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, affected white blood cells (lymphocytes) collect and form swellings in the lymphatic system
In non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL), when lymphocytes start growing uncontrollably, they often collect in the vessels of the lymphatic system causing lumps or swellings known as lymphomas. This is one of the most common symptoms of NHL.
Find out more about the lymphatic system
The swellings caused by non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma can form almost anywhere
The swellings formed in NHL are called lymphomas
In non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL), abnormal white blood cells tend to collect together to form swellings. These swellings are called lymphomas because the white blood cells that are affected by NHL are known as lymphocytes.
Swellings can form anywhere because the lymphatic system runs all through the body
Lymphomas are a type of tumour and, in NHL, are often formed in lymph nodes, which are part of the lymphatic system. The lymphatic system runs throughout the body, so 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.
Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) is a disease that affects certain white blood cells, known as lymphocytes. Click on the picture to see an animated diagram that explains NHL.
Aggressive non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL) is a rapidly-growing form of NHL that often requires immediate treatment
There are several different subtypes of aggressive non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
There are a number of different types of aggressive NHL; the most common are shown in the table. Your doctor will be able to explain which type you have been diagnosed with, and what that will mean for your treatment plan.
Find out more about the different types (diagnosis and staging) of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
Indolent non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) is a different form of NHL that is sometimes referred to as low-grade NHL and grows more slowly.
Find out more about indolent NHL
The common characteristics of aggressive NHL are listed in the table.
Aggressive non-Hodgkin's lymphoma is often completely cured, but if this is not possible treatment can help relieve your symptoms
- Aggressive non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) is treated with the aim of achieving a complete cure and there is a good chance of achieving this outcome.
- Treatment usually involves chemotherapy, usually combined with immunotherapy. In addition, radiotherapy may be used to target lymphomas directly.
- For people whose NHL does not respond well to treatment, or whose disease relapses, further treatment may be needed. This can still lead to a cure in some cases.
- If a cure is not possible, treatment will be used to relieve symptoms and reduce pain (this approach is known as palliative care).
Find out more about treatment for aggressive non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma - It is important to remember that everyone’s experience of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) is different. Lymphoma Life can give you a good idea of what most people experience, and you will find many patient stories here that you can read and compare. However, your experience of NHL will be individual to you and the best person to talk to about your situation is your own doctor or specialist nurse.
Common symptoms of aggressive non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
- Painless swelling in the neck, armpit or groin
- Unexplained persistent or recurrent fevers
- Drenching night sweats
- Weight loss or tiredness
- Persistent itching all over the body
- Breathlessness or cough
The common symptoms mentioned above can often be put down to other causes, so diagnostic tests are very important to confirm the diagnosis of aggressive non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL). Also, the abnormal white blood cells (cancerous lymphocytes) found in NHL can’t fight infections properly. So NHL patients can become ill more easily than normal.