Non Hodgkin's lymphoma | Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma: definition and favourable factors

Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma: definition and favourable factors

Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma is a cancer of the lymphatic system, characterized by abnormal proliferation of B or T lymphocytes. It can reach the lymph nodes and/or any organ: digestive tract, skin, testicles... It leads to an overall decline in immunity.
What is NON-Hodgkin's lymphoma?
Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma is a cancer of the immune system. It develops from two types of cells called "lymphocytes ":

B lymphocytes (85% of cases);
T lymphocytes (15% of cases).
Many types of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma are distinguished, depending on the appearance of the cells affected by this condition.

Overall, these lymphomas are classified into two major groups:

The shapes that evolve very quickly, say  "aggressive "
They affect 50 to 60% of people suffering from the disease, and must be taken care of very quickly.
Slow evolution forms, called  "indolent "
They concern 40 to 50% of patients affected and can develop over several years.
From one case to the next, the symptoms, the development of the disease and the reaction of the organism to the treatment are different. However, many patients are healing.

In France, more than 11 600 new cases of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma were diagnosed in 2011. Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma is ranked 5th among the most common cancers. This condition can be declared at any age, but its frequency increases after 60-65 years. In adults, men are more concerned (54% of cases) than women.

Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma associated with pesticide exposure is listed on the occupational disease Chart of farmers. For more information, see Decree No. 2015-636 of 5 June 2015 (PDF, 136.71 KB).

Parts of the body affected by the disease
Abnormal lymphocytes of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma are present in the blood, but also in the lymphatic network (set of vessels, lymph nodes involved in the defense against diseases and infections). This vascular system is filled with lymph (clear liquid consisting of nutrients, fats, germs and waste from cells) and irrigates all organs. So cancer can develop in the organism in two different ways:

Either the cancer cells proliferate only at the lymph nodes;
Or, in 40% of cases, they appear at one or more organs (stomach, intestine, skin, part of the system Oto Rhino laryngological Society, testicles etc.), with or without associated ganglionic disease.
The Lymphatic network
Diagram: The lymphatic network, an essential immune role
Consequences of NON-Hodgkin's lymphoma on immunity
Within the lymph nodes, lymphocytes participate in the destruction of viruses and bacteria circulating in the lymph. During its journey through the lymphatic network, the lymph is thus  "purified" in multiple lymph nodes, before reaching the bloodstream.

In the case of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, lymphocytes can no longer play their role correctly: the immune system is weakened.

The favourable factors of NON-Hodgkin's lymphoma
The exact causes of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma are not known. However, the occurrence of the disease could be favored by the combination of several factors:

Chronic viral infection (hepatitis C, HIV, Epstein Barr virus) or bacterial (in particular, prolonged presence in the stomach of the germ Helicobacter pylori, responsible in particular for peptic ulcer);
Prolonged immune deficiency (autoimmune disease e.g., lupus, immunosuppressive treatment given for example in the case of grafting);
Celiac disease not treated by a gluten-free diet;
Exposure to certain toxic substances: pesticides, fertilizers, organic solvents (benzene, chlorinated solvents, hair dye), wood dust;
History of chemotherapy with drugs containing named items  "Agents alkylating ".
Hodgkin's disease, other form of lymphoma
One of its characteristics is the presence of a specific tumor cell. It is called Reed-Sternberg cell and develops from B lymphocytes. It is essentially a disease of the teenager and the young adult.