NHL

non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL)

[- hoj′kənz]

any of a heterogeneous group of malignant tumors involving lymphoid tissue that do not have the Reed-Sternberg cell. NHLs differ in their histologic, immunologic, and clinical characteristics and their prognosis with therapy. An accurate diagnosis requires excision of at least one affected lymph node for biopsy evaluation by an experienced pathologist. In more than 10% of NHL patients, examination of different nodes may reveal different histologic findings. NHLs are classified into a dozen histologic grades and subtypes on the basis of nodal architecture, cell type, and clinical behavior. NHL is a disease of the middle years, usually in persons over 50 years of age. The rate of incidence is about 8.1 per 100,000 men and 5.7 per 100,000 women. The cause is unknown, but NHL may be the result of genetic damage. Immunosuppressed persons have a greater incidence of NHL, suggesting the presence of an immune mechanism. The probability of acquired immunodeficiency patients developing NHL has been estimated at more than 30%. Also called lymphosarcoma.

---

NHL

Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, see there