Non-Hodgkin lymphoma is a type of blood cancer that affects the lymphatic system. Since lymphoid tissue is present in the spleen and digestive tract, it can also strike the digestive system. Non-Hodgkin lymphoma is dangerous because it targets white blood cells. These cells are present in lymph nodes all over the body, thus constituting a part of the immune system. If it is weak, it is not able to fight infections, thus deteriorating a person’s health.
Non-Hodgkin lymphoma is an atypical disease because treatment varies from patient to patient. The reason for such disparity lies in this disease actually being a group of blood cancers. As Caceres (2019) states “There are as many as 60 subtypes of non-Hodgkin lymphoma” (para. 11). However, the entire group usually manifests itself in two types. The first is large B-cell lymphoma that requires immediate treatment upon detection. The second is Follicular Lymphoma, which is not as fast in growing because it is indolent.
At this point, doctors cannot pinpoint the cause of non-Hodgkin lymphoma. It is not exclusive to a race and cannot be traced to a particular practice or behavior. Some researchers suggested its relation to the massive exposure to radiation, yet the correlation is not proven. The patients with this lymphoma include old males who contracted either Epstein-Barr virus or Lupus. However, neither of the diseases leads to non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Some patients even reported no symptoms, despite having contracted it.
Overall, the diversity of subtypes makes non-Hodgkin lymphoma a life-threatening disease. Both the survival rate and the treatment depend on the type of lymphoma, with Follicular Lymphoma having no cure. Research is ongoing regarding the choice of medical care, with immunotherapy being the most preferred. However, it is not a guaranteed treatment of a lymphatic disease that can also spread into the digestive tract.
Reference
Caceres, V. (2019). A patient’s guide to non-Hodgkin lymphoma. U.S. News & World Report. Web.