Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma (NHL) is a blood cancer that begins growing in the lymphatic system - an important part of your body’s immune response.
The lymphatic system is a vital defence mechanism which helps fight infections and disease as well as regulate fluid movement in your body. Non-Hodgkin lymphoma is one of two main groupings of lymphomas or blood cancers. The other is Hodgkin lymphoma, which is rare in New Zealand.
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Non-Hodgkin lymphoma causes some types of white blood cells to grow abnormally. These cell growths can become tumours, typically in the lymph nodes, but also in other parts of the body, such as the spleen, liver, bone marrow, or stomach.
Around 1,000 New Zealanders are diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma each year. It’s the sixth most common cancer among Kiwis and affects all age groups, though males over 50 years of age are more at risk.
Types of non-Hodgkin lymphoma
There are more than 60 types of non-Hodgkin lymphoma, all with varying growth rates and symptom severity. Doctors classify non-Hodgkin lymphoma according to whether the cancer affects the B lymphocytes (antibody-mediated immunity stimulators) or the T lymphocytes (cell-mediated immunity stimulators). Around 80% of non-Hodgkin lymphomas are the B-type, which can multiply quickly. However, the T-type is often harder to treat, even though it’s slower growing.
Identifying the type of lymphoma helps to determine the probable progress of the disease and how it will be treated. Our Policywise advisers can help you take the best steps forward. We’ll find you health insurance cover that offers the peace of mind of knowing you’ll receive the right treatment at the right time.
Symptoms of non-Hodgkin lymphoma
As with all cancers, detecting non-Hodgkin lymphoma as soon as possible is vitally important for successful treatment.
Common lymphoma symptoms to look out for include:
- Swollen glands or lymph nodes that are usually painless
- Chronic infections
- Sweating at night (also referred to as night sweats)
- Pain in the chest and/or breathing difficulties
- Weight and appetite loss for no apparent reason
- Fatigue and lethargy
- Itchy skin.
These symptoms also appear in viral infections and other diseases and don’t necessarily mean you have lymphoma. However, early treatment is essential for any cancer. If you experience symptoms for no apparent reason or feel concerned, then visit your doctor and get them checked out.
Diagnosis of non-Hodgkin lymphoma
Your GP will consider your symptoms and perform a physical examination. A biopsy - taking a tissue sample from your affected lymph nodes - will identify any cell abnormalities. If the biopsy indicates the presence of non-Hodgkin lymphoma then additional tests will be necessary to indicate the specific cancer subtype and how far it has spread.
These tests may include:
- Additional bone marrow biopsies
- Blood tests for kidney and liver function
- Image tests such as MRI, CT, and PET scans
- Spinal tap or lumbar puncture.
Early testing and diagnosis of any cancer are critical for achieving a good-health outcome. Prompt treatment for non-Hodgkin lymphoma can result in full remission or cure. Unfortunately, our public health system is poorly resourced. And the number of people waiting from four months to a few years for diagnostic testing and specialist consultations has more than tripled since Covid-19 hit our shores, creating real challenges for those who may have cancer.
There are solutions - but you need to start planning today. Consider the many benefits of taking out health insurance. With health insurance, you are in a position to bypass the wait queues and access urgent tests and diagnosis so you can start treatment immediately.
Talk to a Policywise adviser. We supply comprehensive health insurance comparisons and quotes from the top insurance providers across the market to get you covered for cancer as soon as possible. Our service is 100% free and we guarantee to find you the best cover for the lowest going rate. We know that protecting your future by kick-starting your health insurance today is more affordable than you think.
Stages of non-Hodgkin lymphoma
Measuring how far your non-Hodgkin cancer has spread is an important step in working out how best to treat it. As with most cancer types, doctors measure its progress in stages - a process simply called ‘staging’ - which uses the Latin Lugano roman numeral system.
There are four stages of non-Hodgkin lymphoma:
- Stage I - lymphoma is restricted to a single group of lymph nodes.
- Stage II - lymphoma appears in two lymph node groups on one side only of the diaphragm.
- Stage III - lymphoma is seen in lymph nodes both above and below the diaphragm.
- Stage IV - lymphoma also appears outside the lymph nodes in organs such as the skin, liver, lungs, and bone marrow.
Doctors will then add a letter to the stage number to indicate the presence of various symptoms. For example, the letter A indicates no symptoms other than lymph node swelling. B indicates night sweats, fever, and unexplained weight loss.
Medical professionals will also grade your cancer. This tells you how aggressively the cancer is growing.
A low-grade non-Hodgkin lymphoma is very slow growing. Immediate treatment may not be required but this type of cancer can be harder to eradicate.
High-grade tumours grow aggressively but they also tend to respond well to treatment, with a full cure being possible.
Treatment for non-Hodgkin lymphoma
Staging and other tests will help determine the best course of treatment for non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Your current health, age, and personal preferences will also influence the treatments available.
Here are some of the more common options for treatment:
WAIT AND SEE
Your medical team might recommend a careful ‘waiting and monitoring’ approach when dealing with small, slow-growing cancers. In these cases, symptoms might take years to develop.
CHEMOTHERAPY
Powerful anti-cancer chemotherapy drugs eliminate cancer cells. Unfortunately, these drugs can damage your healthy cells, leading to unpleasant side effects such as nausea, vomiting, fatigue, and hair loss. Steroids may also be administered to enhance the efficacy of chemotherapy drugs.
High-dose chemotherapy occasionally damages bone marrow. If this occurs during treatment, a bone marrow transplant procedure might be necessary - your medical team will advise you on this.
RADIOTHERAPY
Radiotherapy treatment (or radiation therapy) uses focused x-rays to destroy cancer cells and shrink tumours in a specific area. Radiotherapy is generally less harmful to healthy, non-cancerous cells than chemotherapy. You may still experience some side effects, such as:
- Fatigue
- Skin reaction
- Nausea.
Radiotherapy is often combined with chemotherapy to fight more aggressive tumours.
TARGETED THERAPY
Targeted therapy damages cancerous cells only, leaving healthy cells alone. It does this by interfering with cancer cells' biological processes, thereby halting their rapid growth. Targeted therapy also (and importantly) helps the body’s immune system identify and fight cancer.
Can non-Hodgkin lymphoma be cured?
Successful treatment for non-Hodgkin lymphoma depends on its stage and type. Your age, general health, and a range of other factors will impact your cure or long-term symptom management.
Five-year survival rates for non-Hodgkin lymphoma can be as high as 97%, according to American research. The sooner you can access diagnostic testing, treatment, and critical surgery, the better your chances of survival. Why not think about investing in a private medical insurance cover that will give you or someone you love the fastest treatment in the event of a cancer diagnosis? We’re here to help; just schedule a 5-minute callback and allow us to find the best insurance for your journey to good health.
Causes
Most cases of non-Hodgkin lymphoma have no identifiable cause. It doesn’t appear to run in families. And it’s not infectious, either.
Risk factors for non-Hodgkin lymphoma
Some factors may increase your risk of developing non-Hodgkin lymphoma, such as:
- Weakened immune system - people who have had a viral infection such as HIV or have taken medications that suppress the immune system
- Viruses and infections - such as Epstein-Barr
- Auto-immune conditions - such as rheumatoid arthritis or lupus
- Radiation or chemotherapy - previous exposure to these treatments may increase your risk.
Are you prepared for life’s uncertainties? Let Policywise help you plan.
You may not have cancer, and it may not even run in your family. But that’s no guarantee cancer won’t happen to you or someone you love. Remember, non-Hodgkin lymphoma isn’t restricted by family genetics or lifestyle.
Think about how health insurance can prepare you for the possibility of cancer - though not all health insurance plans are the same. Some plans only pay for a tiny fraction of your cancer treatment expenses.
Don’t let this happen to you. Before you buy health insurance, touch base with one of our advisers and enquire about policies that include cover for cancer. All it takes is a chat with us and we’ll help you identify maximum benefit amounts for treatments, non-Pharmac drugs, inclusions, and any exclusions.
Some health insurance policies also include additional consultations with specialists who can offer second opinions and supplementary advice about your treatment plans. That’s priceless when dealing with all the questions that will undoubtedly come up over time.
Our advisers provide clear, easy-to-understand medical insurance plan comparisons from different insurers so you can choose the plan with the best cancer cover. Schedule a 5-minute callback with a Policywise expert. Our service is free to you and tailored to meet your specific needs. Talk to us today so we can help you navigate the future.
Disclaimer: This article is for general information only. Nothing in this blog or on this website is intended as medical, dietary, or financial advice. Although we aim to update our content regularly, you are advised to consult a Policywise adviser, health professional, or an appropriate specialist before acting on any information herein. They can factor in your personal circumstances or preferences and help guide your decision-making process.