Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma (NHL)

Non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) is a major class of malignant lymphoma; in China NHL far outnumbers Hodgkin disease (HD). Incidence rising in many countries. Pathology/clinical/treatment far more complex than HD. Heterogeneous group; cure rate lower than HD. Course varies (asymptomatic/indolent → rapid death); ~50% pediatric and ~20% adult cases develop leukemic changes.

Common Symptoms

Lymph-node enlargement; mediastinal node enlargement; bone pain; night sweats; abdominal pain; raised intracranial pressure; weight loss

Causes and Pathogenesis

Cytogenetic chromosomal abnormalities. Primary immunodeficiency syndromes (PIDS) = highest risk; HIV/acquired immunodeficiency/post-transplant immunosuppression drive lymphoproliferation. Differentiation-stage heterogeneity: low-grade → high-grade transformation; nodular → diffuse. Monoclonal antibodies/IHC distinguish T/B stages. Cortical thymic tumors = T-ALL/lymphoblastic lymphoma; mature T: adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATL), MF, Sezary, peripheral T-cell lymphomas; CD8+: some peripheral T-cell/T-CLL. B-cell: surface Ig expression; CD10/CD19 early → CD20, cytoplasmic mu chain, kappa/lambda rearrangement → immature B (surface IgM) → CD21 (C3d), IgD+IgM → plasma cells (PC-1/PC-2, secrete Ig). Follicle-center B → follicular/diffuse B-cell lymphoma. Mantle-zone B: CD5+ (not T-marker, Ig-independent). Acute lymphoblastic leukemia = pre-B; Burkitt = immature IgM+ B; follicular/diffuse B = mature/activated B; Waldenstrom/multiple myeloma = terminal differentiation; CLL = CD5+, diffuse intermediate = CD5+CD10+ (mantle zone). Diffuse large-cell lymphoma most heterogeneous (B/T/histiocyte origin); prognosis not solely clinical stage.

Treatment

Drug, supportive therapy

Preventive Measures

Exercise; boost immunity. Avoid: loss of immune surveillance, immunosuppressant tumor-promotion, latent viruses, chronic radiation/antiepileptics/corticosteroids. Personal/environmental hygiene; avoid drug abuse; PPE in hazardous settings.

Department to Visit

It is recommended to visit the Medical Oncology department; an appointment can be booked on this platform before the visit.

Warm reminder: The above information is for health science reference only and cannot replace professional medical diagnosis. If you have related symptoms, please seek medical attention at a regular hospital promptly.