Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma symptoms may include night sweats, swollen lymph nodes, and abdominal swelling. People who have this disease might also experience a chronic cough or lose weight with no explanation. The symptoms are not always the same for each person, and many of the signs of this disease are similar to other types of illnesses. If a person experiences three or more non-Hodgkin's lymphoma symptoms or has any symptoms that are causing him to worry, he should see a doctor to find out the cause.
There is no known cause for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, which is a type of cancer that occurs in the white blood cells. Most people who get it have an abundance of white blood cells, which causes the lymph nodes to swell and may result in recurring infections. People who have AIDS tend to be at a higher risk of developing the disease, and it also appears to be genetic. Exposure to the virus that causes mono may also increase a person's risk of developing non-Hodgkin's lymphoma at some point in a lifetime. Most cases of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma appear to have occurred randomly, with no obvious cause.
Doctors diagnose non-Hodgkin's lymphoma through a variety of different methods. In most cases, she will ask the patient about the non-Hodgkin's lymphoma symptoms he may be experiencing. A physical examination is also typically conducted in which the doctor may examine the lymph nodes to determine the degree of swelling present. Blood tests, urine tests, and X-rays may follow. It might also be necessary for the doctor to get a bone marrow or lymph node sample.
Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma does not always cause serious problems, and doctors occasionally do not treat it if it appears to be slow-growing. When it is spreading very slowly, patients are typically advised to come in for regular check-ups to make sure it doesn't start to get worse. When a person is experiencing severe non-Hodgkin's lymphoma symptoms and the disease is spreading quickly, a doctor may decide to treat a patient with chemotherapy or various cancer-fighting medications. This disease is often curable when it is caught early enough.
People who suspect they may have non-Hodgkin's lymphoma should remember that the symptoms are often consistent with many other illnesses. It is not a good idea for a person to diagnose herself with a serious disease based on second-hand information. The only person who can accurately diagnose non-Hodgkin's disease is a doctor. Many people put off going to the doctor because they either don't want to know what is wrong with them or they want to believe that nothing is wrong. Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma may be curable, but the longer a person goes without treatment, the more likely it is to be difficult to cure.