About Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma
Non-Hodgkin lymphoma is a type of cancer that affects lymphocytes, types of white blood cells in the lymphatic system. The main difference between Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin types of lymphoma are the types of cells involved. Hodgkin lymphoma cells specifically involve a type of abnormal cell known as the Reed-Sternberg cell.
Non-Hodgkin lymphoma tends to be more common than Hodgkin lymphoma and is one of the most common types of cancer overall, comprising of about 4 percent of all cancer cases. It can occur at any age, affecting children and teens as well as those 65 and older.
Non-Hodgkin lymphoma features several subtypes, including follicular lymphoma and diffuse large B-cell lymphoma.
Causes and Risk Factors
Cancer is caused by a genetic mutation that results in the unregulated growth of certain cells (in this case, lymphocytes). As cells grow out of control, they can accumulate and form into masses known as tumors. Eventually, the cancer cells may spread into other parts of the body. Research and clinical trials are still necessary to determine what actually causes this genetic mutation.
While there are some risk factors, many people diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma present no known risk factors. Many people who have risk factors for the disease never develop it.
A family history of non-Hodgkin lymphoma may increase your risk of developing the cancerous disease yourself. Certain chemicals found in herbicides and insecticides have been linked to an increased risk of non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Exposure to radiation may also increase your risk of developing NHL, among other cancers. A suppressed immune system has also been found to be a risk factor for non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
Certain viral and bacterial infections may also increase your risk of non-Hodgkin lymphoma, including:
- Epstein-Barr
- Human herpes virus 8
- Human T-cell lymphotropic virus
Early Detection, Diagnosis, and Staging
Common signs and symptoms of non-Hodgkin lymphoma include:
- Pain or swelling in the abdomen
- Swollen lymph nodes in the armpits, groin, or neck
- Fever
- Chest pain, coughing, or breathing problems (flu- like symptoms)
- Night sweats
- Fatigue
- Sudden, unintended weight loss
Diagnosis starts with a physical exam, during which your doctor can evaluate swelling in the lymph nodes, liver, or spleen. Urine and blood tests can help the doctor eliminate other conditions with similar symptoms, while imaging through a chest x-ray, CT scan, etc. allows the doctor to identify tumors. The doctor may also perform a lymph node biopsy for lab testing.
Staging processes allow the doctor to determine the severity and potential spread of the cancer cells. The stages for non-Hodgkin lymphoma are designated by the Roman numerals I to IV. The lower stages signify cancer that is confined, while higher stages show that the disease has spread to other parts of the body. These stages signify if the patient needs radiation therapy, natural treatment, chemotherapy, surgery, etc.
Alternative and Natural Treatments for Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma
Cancer treatment for non-Hodgkin lymphoma usually involve chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and other therapies involving drugs. While these treatments may be effective, they can take a toll on your body, leaving you physically and emotionally weak while preventing your immune system from operating at full strength.
That’s where alternative therapy and natural treatments come into play. At Immunity Therapy Center, our goal is to provide completely customized treatment plans using natural and alternative therapies that keep your body strong and comfortable. Our personnel work directly with you, allowing us to not only personalize your treatment, but also learn more about your life and your health needs. Contact Immunity Therapy Center today to learn more and to receive a custom treatment plan.
Sources:
– https://www.cancer.org/cancer/non-hodgkin-lymphoma/about/what-is-non-hodgkin-lymphoma.html
Therapies we use
At Immunity Therapy Center, our goal is to provide objective, updated, and research-based information on all health-related topics. This article is based on scientific research and/or other scientific articles. All information has been fact-checked and reviewed by Dr. Carlos Bautista, a Board Certified Medical Doctor at Immunity Therapy Center. All information published on the site must undergo an extensive review process to ensure accuracy. This article contains trusted sources with all references hyperlinked for the reader's visibility.
Customized Care For the Body And The Mind
Discuss Your Custom Alternative Treatment Plan With Our Team Today
Hear from Our Patients
Troy Clark
Troy Clark was diagnosed with Stage 3 Prostate Cancer back in 2018. After watching his father go through chemo and radiation therapy on three different occasions, Troy wanted to explore other options. Through a referral of a friend, he found Immunity Therapy Center. “Everyone at ITC treats me with the utmost respect. What I get […]
Debbie Halper
“The Immunity Therapy Center Saved My Life and I Hope they Can Help You Too” On March 14th Debbie was diagnosed with a rare type of Ampullary and Liver Cancer. Her doctors told her that her diagnosis was essentially a death sentence. After some extensive research, Debbie discovered ITC online and decided it was worth […]
Martin Ocegueda
Martin Ocegueda is a resident of Temecula, California. In 2022, he arrived at ITC and was diagnosed with Stage 4 Pancreatic Cancer. After being told by prior doctors that he only had 3 months to live, Ocegueda knew he needed to seek alternative treatment. His mother referred him to ITC, as his sister received treatment […]
Clara Kornelsen
9 years ago Clara Kornelsen came to ITC for treatment after being diagnosed with Breast Cancer. Although she was living in Canada at the time and healthcare was free, she felt it was the right thing to come to ITC for treatment. Today, Clara is “strong and healthy as ever” and thanks Dr. Bautista for […]
Arthur Rivas
Arthur Rivas, a California resident and Master of Science and Nursing, was diagnosed with Stage 3A Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer. Arthur, who has spent most of his life caring for others through the field of nursing, never thought he would be the one requiring extensive medical attention. With so much knowledge in the medical field, […]
Peter Richardson
Peter Richardson was having significantly increasing pain in his stomach earlier in February. Following doctors orders for treating constipation, Peter took laxatives and pain killers for 5 months, but nothing was helping. When he went back to the doctor a second time they did a CT scan and found a large mass in his abdomen […]
Melissa Porter
Prior to being diagnosed with Hodgkin Lymphoma, Melissa Porter lead a very healthy lifestyle. While traveling in Costa Rica she found a lump in her right underarm that was found to be Cancerous. When Melissa returned home she researched a variety of alternative treatment options and after being told about Immunity Therapy Center by her […]
Fouad Youssef
“ITC offers so many different therapies and none of them are painful at all. During my time at ITC my quality of life was not taken away from me [unlike with Chemotherapy] and my lymphoma shrank drastically” In 2016, Fouad Youssef discovered he had a lymphoma the size of his thumb knuckle under his arm. […]
Champion McConnell
Champion McConnel, a California resident, and father of two, was diagnosed with Stage 4 bladder cancer during the COVID-19 pandemic. When he was unable to work, and symptoms progressively worsened, was when McConnel knew he needed help. With the help of his wife and the internet, McConnel stumbled upon Immunity Therapy Center. “The entire time, […]
Adrianne Mohnhaupt
Adrianne Mohnhaupt dealt with an Ovarian Cancer scare back in 2015 where her doctors found a 37 centimeter tumor, the size of a football. She immediately had it surgically removed and thankfully it was benign. Every six months she continued her CA-125 and they were coming back normal…until two and a half months ago. “I […]