Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma is referred to as the cancer that affects the lymph system. It often starts in a single lymph node and gradually affects the rest of the lymph system organs, spleen and tonsils. This condition can become worst if not treated immediately. It can start from a single node but it may spread to multiple lymph nodes in different areas of the body and the vital organs may become affected too. There are swollen lymph nodes that are due to infections and bacteria; however it is different for the case of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. The enlarged lymph nodes are tender and painless.

This type of Lymphoma is further classified into three types. These are according to the physical and clinical characteristics of the cells.

Indolent or low grade
Patients under this subtype may be treated with active surveillance or utilization of high dose chemotherapy along with stem cell transplant. Many cancer centers offer clinical trials and studies by using various drugs to fight lymphoma. This grade level may sound mild but it is the most difficult to treat, since the indicators cannot be noticed until it has reached the advanced stage. The cure is not that possible, even though the new treatments and therapies show some promise. At the same time, getting a cure could not guarantee higher survival rate.

Aggressive or intermediate grade
Those who fall under this subtype are further divided into two groups; low risk and high risk group. Low risk patients receive a standard chemotherapy treatment or may be combined with another regimen. On the other hand, high risk patients may go through high dose treatments and stem cell transplant. In case there are patients who relapse, they can go through with another series of high dose therapy during clinical trials. The treatments for this grade level seem to respond well. The case would usually reoccur, but it will take a year after the treatments.

Highly aggressive or high grade
This stage or subtype of non-Hodgkins lymphoma usually utilizes stem cell transplantation. This is done by extracting the affected stem cell from a donor or a patient; it is then stored to be frozen. The patient will go through chemotherapy or combination of chemo and radiation therapy. Once the therapy is over, the frozen stem cell is thawed and return back to the body of the patient via blood transfusion.

Although the three grade levels affect certain age groups, but it just means that anyone of any age could be a victim. The high grade type of this lymphoma tends to affect mostly the children, while indolent type affects the elderly. Also, gender is not an excuse. Most cases reveal that men are more at risk for this cancer compare with women. Yet, women are still not safe. Those who are working with hazardous chemicals are more at risk to have aggressive lymphoma.

The symptoms could become obvious, from the enlarge lymph nodes, to itchy skin, night sweating, weight loss, and fever. All of these are normally neglected by many and they do not know that it may be present with other illnesses. This makes it difficult to catch at first.