non-Hodgkin lymphoma

non-Hodg·kin lym·pho·ma (NHL),

a lymphoma other than Hodgkin disease, classified by Rappaport into a nodular or diffuse tumor pattern and by cell type; a working or international formulation separates such lymphomas into low-, intermediate-, and high-grade malignancy and into cytologic subtypes reflecting follicular center cell or other origin.

non-Hodgkin lymphoma

(nŏn′hŏj′kĭn) or

non-Hodgkin's lymphoma

(-kĭnz)

n.

Any of a large group of lymphomas that can be slow-growing or fast-growing, involve malignancies of either B cells or T cells, and are typically distinguished from Hodgkin lymphoma by the absence of Reed-Sternberg cells. Symptoms include enlarged lymph nodes, fever, night sweats, and weight loss.

non-Hodg·kin lym·pho·ma

(non-hoj'kin lim-fō'mă)

A lymphoma other than Hodgkin disease, classified by Rappaport into a nodular or diffuse tumor pattern and by cell type; a working or international formulation separates such lymphomas into low, intermediate, and high grade malignancy and into cytologic subtypes reflecting follicular center cell or other origin.

NON-HODGKIN LYMPHOMA: Bizarre-appearing lymphocytes revealing active mitosis (orig. mag. ×1000)

non-Hodgkin lymphoma

Abbreviation: NHL

Any of a group of malignant tumors of B or T lymphocytes. In 2008, the American Cancer Society estimated that about 66,100 Americans would be newly diagnosed with the disease. See: illustration; Hodgkin disease

Symptoms

Painless lymphadenopathy in two thirds of patients is the most frequent presenting symptom. Others have fever, night sweats, and loss of 10% or more of body weight in the 6 months before presenting with symptoms of infiltration into nonlymphoid tissue. Additional involvement is in peripheral areas such as epitrochlear nodes, the tonsillar area, and bone marrow. NHL is 50% more frequent in occurrence in men than in women of similar age. In most cases the cause of NHL is unknown, but patients who have received immunosuppressive agents have an over 100 times greater chance of developing NHL, probably because the immunosuppressive agents activate tumor viruses.

Treatment

Specific therapy depends on the type, grade, and stage of the lymphoma. Combination chemotherapies, bone marrow transplantation, radiation therapy, and photochemotherapy may be given, depending on the specific diagnosis.

See also: lymphoma

Hodgkin,

Thomas, English physician, 1798-1866.

Hodgkin disease - malignant neoplasm of lymphoid cells of uncertain origin, associated with inflammatory infiltration of lymphocytes and eosinophilic leukocytes and fibrosis. Synonym(s): lymphadenoma

Hodgkin-Key murmur - a musical diastolic murmur.

Hodgkin sarcoma

non-Hodgkin lymphoma - a lymphoma other than Hodgkin disease.

non-Hodg·kin lym·pho·ma

(non-hoj'kin lim-fō'mă)

A lymphoma other than Hodgkin disease, classified nodular or diffuse tumor pattern and cell type.