What is NHL?
Lymphoma is a cancer of the blood. There are two main types of lymphoma: non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL) and Hodgkin’s disease. The diseases are different and Lymphoma Life only talks about non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma is a type of cancer that affects lymphocytes
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.
Blood contains two main types of cells:
- Red blood cells that carry oxygen and give the blood its colour.
- White blood cells that are part of your body’s natural defence system – known as the immune system – and are normally there to fight infection.
In non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL), a special type of white blood cell, called the lymphocyte, has started to grow uncontrollably or accumulate because they do not die off. This makes non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma a type of cancer of your lymphocytes.
Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL) is a cancer of the lymphatic 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.
When lymphocytes start growing uncontrollably in NHL, they often collect in the vessels of the lymphatic system causing lumps or swellings known as lymphomas.
Diagram showing the vessels of the lymphatic system spread throughout the body.
Find out more about the lymphatic system
The swellings caused by non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma can form almost anywhere
In non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL), the abnormal white blood cells (the cancerous lymphocytes) tend to collect together to form swellings. These swellings are called lymphomas.
Lymphomas are a type of tumour and are often formed in lymph nodes, which are part of the lymphatic system. The lymphatic system runs all through 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.
There are many types of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and your treatment and outlook depend on what type you have
There are more than 30 different types of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL), and these can be split into two main categories:
- Slow growing, or indolent NHL (sometimes called low-grade NHL)
- Often has no symptoms at diagnosis and can be hard to recognise. Because it grows slowly, treatment might not be needed straight away as it is usually better to wait until symptoms start to appear before beginning therapy.
- Fast growing or aggressive NHL (sometimes called high-grade NHL)
Symptoms develop quite quickly and are likely to occur before diagnosis. Because it grows quickly, treatment will usually be needed straight away.
Treatments for the different kinds of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma are not the same. Each type of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma also progresses very differently. So it is important that the doctors find out exactly what type of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma you have before they start treatment.
Find out more about the types of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
Find out more about the diagnosis and staging of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
Find out more about the symptoms of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
How did I get non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma?
It is normal to think ‘Why me?’ when faced with a diagnosis like non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. But it is important to remember that nothing you have done caused you to develop the disease.