Cancer and Healthy

Non-Hodgkins lymphoma is one of several cancers of the immune system. There is no particular age at which non-Hodgkins lymphoma is the most likely to occur. It can occur in people of all ages. The first symptoms are enlarged lymph nodes, elevated temperature, and sudden and unexplained weight loss.

Non-Hodgkins lymphoma can generally be divided into two types: aggressive, which means fast-growing, and vain, which means that slowly grows. In each type, there are many different variants - far too much to discuss in this limited space.

It starts as a lymphocyte mutates and is abnormal. These abnormal cells then start dividing and making copies of itself. The new mutant cells divide again and again and again. With each division, the number doubled. The abnormal cells do not die as normal cells, and that they do not protect the body against infections or other diseases, such as not normal cells. The construction of additional cells form a mass of tissue called a growth or a tumor.

The risk factors associated with the development of this disease are a little superficial. Researchers know that weakened immune systems make people more prone to developing the disease. They also know that certain infections may increase the risk of developing non-Hodgkins lymphoma, AIDS and hepatitis, for example. Age is also a greater risk of developing non-Hodgkins lymphoma. Most new cases are diagnosed in people over the age of 60 years.

Researchers are looking into the possibility of obesity leads to an increased risk for this form of cancer, and they are also looking at how exposure to certain herbicides and other chemicals could contribute to the risk for contracting it.