Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma (NHL) is the most common type of lymphoma. Hodgkin’s lymphoma is less common, and has a slightly higher cure rate. According to SEER data, in 2011 there were 530,919 people living with NHL in the United States. There has been a 73 percent rise between 1973 and 1991 in NHL with continued increases ever since.
Approximately 2.1 percent of men and women will be diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma at some point during their lifetime, based on 2008-2010 SEER data, and the 5 year survival rate is 69.3%.
The survival rate for lymphoma has greatly increased in the past 40 years, especially in children. The five-year relative survival rate for NHL patients has risen from 31 percent in Caucasians from 1960 to 1963 to 71.2 percent for all races from 2003 to 2009. In youths under 20, the 5 year survival rate is 84.5%, which is a significant improvement since most youths did not survive 5 years in the 1970s. NHL and Hodgkin lymphoma account for 11% of total cancer diagnoses in children.[1]
Some of the many subtypes of NHL include: B cell and T cell types , follicular lymphoma, cutaneous lymphoma, marginal zone lymphoma, mantle cell lymphoma, Burkitt’s lymphoma, and lymphoblastic lymphoma . Lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma is a related lymphoma also known as Waldenstrom’s macroglobulinemia. Other lymphomas may be named for their site of presentation, such as CNS lymphoma.
BREAK UNHEALTHY HABITS
Do not smoke, especially if you have hepatitis C. Heavy smoking doubles the risk of having NHL. Hepatitis C positive individuals who are heavy smokers have a nearly 4-fold higher risk of developing non-Hodgkin lymphoma than non-smokers.[2]
A number of risk factors are known to be associated with lymphoma. Among the most well-established risk factors include:
Other risk factors include:
REDUCE STRESS
Meditation, stress relief, yoga and other modalities to reduce overall stress emotionally and physically have positive effects on lymphoma.[13]
A biopsy of the swollen lymph node (s) is recommended and is often preceded by imaging of the body part affected, which can include x-ray, ultrasound, positron emission tomography (PET) computed tomography (CT) or MRI. Once the disease has been detected, other testing of the cancer cells includes cytogenetics and flow cytometry, as well as PET/CT.
Blood testing assesses white and red blood cells (RBC, CBC) and liver function are also routinely part of the diagnosis and monitoring of lymphomas
STAY ACTIVE
Exercise is a well-established way to prevent cancer development, including lymphoma. One study found that women who sat for 6 hours a day had a 28% higher risk of NHL than those who sat for 3 hours per day.[14]
Emphasize:
Avoid:
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