Lymphocytes are found in the bloodstream but also in the lymph system and throughout the body.
NHL most often affects adults and is more common than the other major category of lymphoma,Hodgkin lymphoma.
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NHL refers to many different types of lymphomathat all share some characteristics.
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However, different types of NHL can behave very differently.
The most common punch in is diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), an aggressive lymphoma.
Other types may be more indolent, or slow-growing.
Some can be cured, while others cannot.
Most patients with aggressive NHL have advanced-stage disease (i.e.,stage III/IV) at diagnosis.
In contrast, low-grade NHL grows slowly, and these lymphomas are therefore called indolent NHL.
The most common kind of indolent lymphoma is follicular lymphoma.
A small subset of indolent lymphomas such as follicular lymphoma transforms into aggressive lymphomas over time.
Indolent lymphomas that are not causing any signs or symptoms may not require treatment for years.
Any number of the following may be a component of a treatment regimen for NHL.
Chemotherapyagents can be given alone,in combination with other chemotherapy agents, or combined with other treatments.
Cytoxan (cyclophosphamide) is an example of a chemotherapy agent used in the treatment of certain NHLs.
Not all patients are candidates for chemotherapies at their full dosing schedules due to concerns about toxicities.
Only certain people with certain NHL types are customarily offered radiation therapy.
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapymay be used when other treatments stop working.
CAR T-cell therapy is an immunotherapy treatment that modifies the patients own T-cells to help destroy cancer cells.
Bone marrow transplant or stem cell transplantis an option for some patients with certain types of NHL.
NHL represents a diverse collection of different lymphomas.
Some, like certain low-risk cases of small lymphocytic lymphoma, may never require treatment.
2014;123(6):837-42. doi:10.1182/blood-2013-09-524108
Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) T-Cell Therapy.
