The type of cancer that originates in the person’s lymphatic system is non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. In this cancer, the tumor develops in the lymphocytes, which are a type of a white blood cell.

This cancer is a very common kind of cancer as compared to the other type cancers of the lymphoma. Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma has several subtypes existing. Among the subtypes, the most common ones are the follicular lymphoma and the diffuse large B cell lymphoma.

The advancements in the regions of the treatment and the diagnosis of non- Hodgkin’s lymphoma has helped in the improvement of the prognosis for the people who are suffering from chronic disease.

The types of identified non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma are

• Cutaneous T-cell lymphoma
• Chronic lymphocytic leukemia
• Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia
• Cutaneous B-cell lymphoma
• Follicular lymphoma

The symptoms and the signs of the non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma commonly found in the patients are

• Unexplained loss of weight
• Swelling or pain experienced in the abdomen
• Night Sweats
• Swollen lymph nodes that are painless found in the person’s groin, armpits or neck
• Pain in the chest trouble experienced while breathing or coughing
• Constant tiredness.

In most cases of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, doctors are unable to determine what is the exact underlying cause for the development of this chronic disease.

There are some of the cases in which the person may develop the non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma due to a weak immune system. The condition of the non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma starts in a person’s body when it starts to produce a lot of the abnormal lymphocytes.

Generally, lymphocytes have a very predicted cycle of life. The older ones die as the body produces new lymphocytes in order to replace the older dead ones.

In cases where the person is suffering the non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, the lymphocytes that are old do not die but grow and divide continuously. This is an oversupply of the lymphocytes that crowd the lymph nodes resulting in the swelling of the lymph nodes.

Generally, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma includes the existence of the cancerous lymphocytes in the person’s lymph nodes. However, there are chances that this condition can also spread to the rest of the lymphatic system, such as the bone marrow, thymus, spleen, adenoids, tonsils, and lymphatic vessels.

There are times when the non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma affects organs that are not part of the person’s lymphatic system.

Majority of the diagnosed cases do not have risk factors that are obvious. There are individuals who do have the risk factors of the disease but do not ever develop the non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

The medicines that suppress the patient’s immune system is a risk factor that can result eventually in a person developing the non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. If a person has had organ transplantation done, then such a person is vulnerable to get the disease as the immunosuppressive therapy will bring down the ability of the body to defend itself from the illnesses.

As a person grows older, there is a risk that they can suffer from the non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, especially when he or she is over the age of 60. However, it does not rule out the fact that this illness can affect any person belonging to any age.