What causes Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma?

The exact cause of non-Hodgkin lymphoma is unknown. However, there are multiple medical conditions that are associated with an increased risk of developing non-Hodgkin lymphoma:

• Inherited immune deficiencies: ataxia-telangectasia, Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome, common variable immunodeficiency, severe combined immunodeficiency, and X-linked lymphoproliferative syndrome
• Genetic syndromes: Down syndrome, Klinefelter's syndrome (a genetic condition in men caused by an extra X chromosome)
• Immune disorders, and their treatments: Sjögren's syndrome (an immune disorder characterized by unusual dryness of mucus membranes), rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus
• Celiac disease, a disease involving the  processing of certain components of gluten, a protein in grains
• Inflammatory bowel disease, particularly Crohn’s disease, and its treatment
• Psoriasis
• Family history of lymphoma
• Bacteria: Helicobacter pylori, asssociated with gastritis and gastric ulcers; Borrelia burgdorferi, associated with Lyme disease; Campylobacter jejuni; Chalmydia psittaci
• Viruses: HIV, HTLV-1, SV-40, HHV-8, Epstein Barr virus, hepatitis virus
• Non-random chromosomal translocations and molecular rearrangements

Other complications from Chest Radiation

Other complications from chest radiation include:

• A higher risk of breast cancer
• Inflammation and scarring of lung tissue (called radiation pneumonitis)
• Heart problems, such as narrowing of the coronary arteries and heart failure
• Inflammation and scarring of the lining around the heart (called pericarditis)

The risk of complications from radiation increases when the person is treated with chemotherapy and radiation therapy. The combination increases the risk of other cancers, including:

• Leukemia, a cancer of the white blood cells
• Other types of lymphomas called non-Hodgkin lymphoma
• Non-melanoma skin cancer

In the past, radiation was used on some tissues and organs in the abdomen. This could damage the kidney, leading to kidney failure and high blood pressure. This tends to be uncommon today, as radiation to this area is less frequently used.

Other side effects from chest radiation may include dry mouth, mouth sores and difficulty swallowing.

Complications from Radiation Therapy

There are some complications from using radiation therapy to treat Hodgkin's disease.

Most commonly, radiation is used in the chest area. This area, called the "mediastinum," is often involved with Hodgkin's disease.

The most common organ adversely affected by chest radiation is the thyroid gland. Radiation can damage thyroid cells that make thyroid hormone. This may lead to lower than normal blood levels of thyroid hormone (called hypothyroidism). Radiation also increases the risk of developing thyroid cancer.

People who have radiation to the chest need to be monitored for thyroid abnormalities for the rest of their lives.

Types that Hodgkin's Affects

Hodgkin disease is most common in two different age groups: young adults (ages 15 to 35) and older adults (over age 50). It is somewhat more common in males than females, and more common in Caucasians than in African-Americans. Because of progress in treating Hodgkin lymphoma, most people with a diagnosis of Hodgkin lymphoma will be long-time survivors.

Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma classification

Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma can be further classified into a variety of types based on other cell characteristics, such as size, arrangement, growth patterns, and aggressiveness. These characteristics also help your doctor predict the chance that your disease can be cured or put into remission.
Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma is much more common than Hodgkin's disease and is ranked as the fifth most common cause of cancer-related deaths. Your risk of developing non-Hodgkin's lymphoma increases as you get older. You are more likely to get this disease if you are male or white. In addition, its incidence is increasing with each passing decade with the highest number of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma patients in the U.S.

What is Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma?

Lymphoma refers to a cancer of the lymphatic system. The lymphatic system is a network of nodes (knots of tissue) connected by vessels. The lymphatic system's largest organ is the spleen. Together, they drain fluid and waste products from all the organs and structures of your body. The lymph nodes act as tiny filters, straining out invading organisms and cancerous cells.
Lymphocytes, a type of white blood cell that attacks infectious invaders, such as bacteria, viruses, and fungi, destroy most infections before they can enter the bloodstream. When the lymphatic system is fighting an active infection, you may notice that some of your lymph nodes and tissue in the area of the infection become swollen and tender. This is normal.
Lymphoma occurs when the lymph-node cells or the lymphocytes begin to multiply uncontrollably, producing cancerous cells that have the abnormal capacity to invade other tissues throughout your body. The two main types of lymphoma are Hodgkin's lymphoma and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, which are classified by certain unique characteristics of the cancer cells.

The Staging of Hodgkin's Lymphoma

The prognosis and specific treatment used to treat Hodgkin's depends on the stage of the disease or how widespread it is.
Stage I. Hodgkin's lymphoma is found in only one lymph node area or or structure (such as the spleen).
Stage II. Hodgkin's lymphoma is found in two or more lymph node areas on the same side of the diaphragm (the muscle beneath the lungs that moves up and down to help you breathe).
Stage III. Hodgkin's lymphoma is in lymph nodes on both sides of the diaphragm, or the cancer may also have extended to an area or organ adjacent to the lymph node and/or to the spleen.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               
Stage IV. Hodgkin's lymphoma has spread to one or more organs outside the lymphatic system such as the bone marrow or liver.
Refractory or recurrent Hodgkin's lymphoma. Refractory disease is the term used when the disease progresses or doesn't go into remission while you are still being treated or when you have finished your first treatment step (induction treatment). Recurrent disease means that Hodgkin's lymphoma has come back after it has been treated. This may occur shortly after treatment or years later.