Which part of the body does it affect?
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| Anatomy of the lymph system, showing the lymph vessels and lymph organs including lymph nodes, tonsils, thymus, spleen, and bone marrow. Lymph (clear fluid) and lymphocytes travel through the lymph vessels and into the lymph nodes where the lymphocytes destroy harmful substances. The lymph enters the blood through a large vein near the heart [28] |
The most distinctive way that non-Hodgkin lymphoma affects the body is by the overproduction of lymphocytes causing the build-up of tumors and the swelling of lymph nodes in the affected regions of the body. Other parts of the body may experience build-up of cancerous lymphocyte tumors as well. Although the swelling is painless, depending on the location of the tumors it can cause the lungs or abdomen to be constricted, causing a shortness of breath and a cough or loss of appetite, digestive problems, and swollen legs, respectively. If the cancerous lymphocytes are concentrated in the bloodstream, they can cause symptoms such as bruising, dark, itchy areas of the skin, and fatigue, all similar to anemia, a lack of red blood cells.[8][9]
The stage of cancer is a term used to describe its size and whether it has spread.[10]
- Stage I: Single lymph node or non-lymph node region is affected.
- Stage II: Two or more lymph node or non-lymph node regions are affected on the same side of the diaphragm (the muscle under the lungs).
- Stage III: Lymph node or non-lymph node regions above and below the diaphragm are affected.
- Stage IV: The cancer has spread outside the lymph nodes to organs such as the liver, bones or lungs. Stage IV can also refer to a tumor in another organ and/or tumor in distant lymph nodes.
