What Causes NHL Cancer?

NHL is a cancer that can form in many different types of lymphocytes, which are a type of white blood cell. It is the most common type of lymphoma in the United States.

Introduction

NHL cancer is a type of cancer that starts in the cells of the immune system. The immune system helps the body fight infections and other diseases. NHL stands for “non-Hodgkin lymphoma.”

There are many different types of NHL cancer. Some are more common than others. The most common types are:

· Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL)

· Follicular lymphoma

· Chronic lymphocytic leukemia/small lymphocytic lymphoma (CLL/SLL)

· Mantle cell lymphoma

NHL cancer can occur at any age, but it is most often diagnosed in people who are over the age of 60. Men are slightly more likely to develop NHL cancer than women.

The Three Main Types of NHL

There are three main types of NHL:
-Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL): This is the most common type of NHL, accounting for about one-third of all cases. DLBCL can occur at any age, but is most common in people over the age of 60.
-Follicular lymphoma: This is the second most common type of NHL, accounting for about one-fifth of all cases. Follicular lymphoma is more common in people over the age of 60.
-Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma not otherwise specified (NHL-NOS): This type of NHL makes up the remaining cases. NHL-NOS can occur at any age, but is most common in people between the ages of 40 and 60.

What Causes NHL?

NHL is a type of cancer that forms in the lymphocytes, which are a part of the immune system. NHL can develop in many different parts of the lymphatic system, including the lymph nodes, spleen, thymus, and bone marrow. The cause of NHL is unknown, but there are some risk factors that have been identified.

Family History

While the cause of NHL is unknown, there are several risk factors that may increase your chance of developing the disease. One of the most significant risk factors is having a family member with NHL. If you have a first-degree relative (parent, sibling or child) with NHL, your risk of developing the disease is two to three times higher than someone without a family history of the disease.

Autoimmune Diseases

There is no known single cause of NHL, but there are some risk factors that may make a person more likely to develop this cancer. One of the most significant risk factors is having a weakened immune system, which can be caused by certain autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and celiac disease. Other possible risk factors include infection with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) or Human T-cell lymphotropic virus (HTLV), exposure to certain chemicals like benzene, and family history.

Environmental Factors

It’s not clear what exactly causes NHL, but doctors have identified certain risk factors. Some of these risks are related to your lifestyle, while others are out of your control.

Lifestyle risks for NHL include:
– Smoking cigarettes
– Exposure to certain chemicals, such as benzene and petrochemicals
– Infection with the Epstein-Barr virus (which cancause mono)
– A weakened immune system

Identified environmental risk factors for NHL include:
– Workplace exposure to certain chemicals, such as formaldehyde, arsenic, and hydrocarbons
– Agricultural exposure to certain herbicides and insecticides
– Previous radiation therapy for another cancer

Diagnosing NHL

NHL is usually diagnosed with a medical history and physical exam, along with blood tests, x-rays, computed tomography (CT) scans, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans, and biopsies.

A medical history and physical exam are usually the first steps in diagnosing NHL. The doctor will ask about your personal and family medical history and do a physical exam.

The doctor may also order blood tests. Blood tests can help show if you have a higher-than-normal level of certain substances made by lymphocytes or if you have an abnormality of your immune system cells.

Treating NHL

NHL is the most common form of cancer in adults. NHL is a cancer of the lymphocytes, which are a type of white blood cell. The most common type of NHL is non-Hodgkin lymphoma. NHL is treated with a variety of methods, depending on the type of NHL, the stage of the disease, and the person’s overall health.

Chemotherapy

Cancer chemotherapy is the use of chemical agents to treat cancer. Chemotherapy may be given with a curative intent (which almost always involves combinations of drugs), or it may aim to prolong life or to palliate symptoms. Chemotherapy is one of the major categories of medical oncology and employs cytotoxic drugs to damage cancer cells.

Radiation Therapy

Radiation therapy uses high energy X-rays or particles to destroy cancer cells or stop them from growing. Radiation therapy does not kill all cancer cells at once. It takes time for radiation to work. How long it takes depends on the type of radiation, how much is given, and the goal of treatment.

Radiation therapy is divided into two types:
-External radiation therapy: Radiation comes from a machine outside your body. This is the most common type of radiation used to treat NHL.
-Internal radiation therapy: Radiation comes from putting a radioactive material in your body in the area where the cancer is found.

Stem Cell Transplant

A stem cell transplant may be an option for people with certain types of NHL. Stem cells are immature cells that develop into mature blood cells. A stem cell transplant helps people with NHL by replacing their diseased bone marrow with healthy stem cells.

A stem cell transplant is a major procedure that takes place in two phases. The first phase is called the conditioning phase. During this phase, you will receive high doses of chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy to kill the cancer cells in your bone marrow. This treatment also kills the healthy blood-forming cells in your bone marrow.

After you have completed the conditioning treatment, you will receive the stem cell transplant. The stem cells may come from your own body or from a donor. The stem cells are placed through a needle in your vein and travel to your bone marrow where they begin to grow and make healthy blood cells. The second phase of the transplant, called engraftment, is when the transplanted stem cells begin to grow and make new blood cells in your bone marrow.

You will need to stay in the hospital during both phases of the transplant. The length of your stay will depend on how well you tolerate the treatment and how well your new blood cells begin to grow.

Prevention

There is no sure way to prevent NHL, but there are some things you can do that may lower your risk, including:
-Quit smoking or avoid secondhand smoke.
-Eat a healthy diet.
-Limit your exposure to toxins and chemicals.
-Maintain a healthy weight.
-Exercise regularly.
-Get vaccinated against the hepatitis B virus.

Conclusion

Cancer is a group of diseases characterized by the abnormal growth of cells. Cells are the building blocks of our bodies, and they normally grow and divide in a controlled way. However, sometimes this process goes awry, and cancer cells form instead. These cancer cells can then go on to invade and damage other tissues in the body.

There are many different types of cancer, and they can be caused by a variety of factors. In some cases, cancer may be caused by lifestyle choices, such as smoking or excessive sun exposure. In other cases, it may be due to genetics or environmental factors.

NHL is a type of cancer that affects the lymphatic system, which is a network of vessels and nodes that helps to circulate fluids and fight infection throughout the body. NHL can be caused by a number of different factors, including viruses, bacteria, chemicals, and radiation. Treatment for NHL often includes chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and/or surgery.