Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma is a cancer of the lymphatic system, which is the disease-fighting network spread throughout the body. When a person suffers from non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, the tumor develops in the white blood cells. These cells are also known as lymphocytes that form an integral part of the body’s immune system. This affects the body’s ability to fight against any ailments.

Diagnosis of non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma
To diagnose the condition, your doctor may prescribe one of the following tests:

• Physical examination – In this, your doctor will look for signs such as swollen lymph nodes or a swollen liver or spleen.
• Blood and urine test – This is conducted to rule out the possibility of an infection.
• Imaging tests – Tests such as X-ray, CT scan, MRI, or PET scan may be conducted to check the presence of a tumor in the body.
• Lymph node test – This is a lymph node biopsy that involves removing a small part of the lymph node and testing it in the laboratory. This also helps in determining the type and stage of lymphoma.
• Bone marrow test – In this, a small sample of bone marrow is taken from the hip bone to check for lymphoma cells.

After confirming the diagnosis, the doctor determines the extent of the growth of cancer and assigns it a stage. This information further helps in identifying the most suitable treatment.

Treatment for non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
Sometimes, treatment for non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma isn’t necessary. This happens when lymphoma growth is slow. However, if the lymphoma is aggressive and causes serious signs and symptoms, one of the following treatments may be necessary:

Chemotherapy
This involves using specific medicines to kill cancer cells. It is important to note that this treatment has some side effects such as hair loss and nausea. It may also have some long-term implications like heart or lung damage, fertility problems, or other cancers such as leukemia.

Radiation therapy
This is another technique that uses high-powered infrared beams to kill cancer cells in the body. It can be targeted at the affected lymph nodes and the nearby areas where the disease has spread. The duration of radiation therapy largely depends on the stage of the disease. A typical treatment plan includes a visit to the hospital for five days a week, wherein the patient undergoes radiation for 30 minutes every day.

The therapy has certain side effects such as hair loss, skin redness, fatigue, thyroid problems, and infertility.

Bone marrow transplant
In this, the affected bone marrow is completely destroyed using chemo and radiation therapy. Following that, healthy bone marrow stem cells are infused into the blood where they travel to the bones and reconstruct the bone marrow.

Clinical trials
These trails may be an option for those people whose condition hasn’t improved with other treatment options. You can consult your medical professional about the possible clinical trials for your type of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

All these treatment options can prove to be beneficial in treating your case. Also, it is important to keep your friends and peers by your side, who can offer much-needed support.