Sometimes, one type of blood cancer can change into another — usually more aggressive — type of blood cancer. For example, one common form of slow-growing lymphoma called follicular lymphoma can become faster-growing acute lymphoblastic leukemia. This process can also happen the other way around.
Leukemia and lymphoma are easily confused because they're both types of blood cancer. Leukemia usually occurs in bone marrow, while lymphoma originates in the lymphatic system and mainly targets lymph nodes and lymph tissue.
All survivors of NHL have a higher risk of developing a secondary cancer. This increased risk continues for up to 20 years after treatment. The most common secondary cancers include cancer of the lung, brain, kidney, or bladder; melanoma; Hodgkin lymphoma; or leukemia.
Although acute leukemia may occur in a higher than expected frequency in patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma because of an increased risk of a second neoplasm in patients with a primary tumor, it seems more likely that the acute leukemia may be related to the radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy administered to treat the ...
Most low-grade lymphomas never transform.
Occasionally, it can transform to other types, such as Burkitt lymphoma, other high-grade B-cell lymphomas or Hodgkin lymphoma. Very occasionally, people who have a high-grade lymphoma relapse in the future with a low-grade lymphoma. Doctors aren't certain why this happens.
Diffuse large B cell lymphoma
This fast-growing lymphoma accounts for about one third of NHL cases. For this lymphoma, it is typical for lymph nodes to double in size every month, and patients often present within a few months of having noted an enlarged lymph node.
Lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma or Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia.
This is a rare, slow-growing type of lymphoma. It's found mainly in the bone marrow, lymph nodes, and spleen. This type of lymphoma can't be cured.
The 5-year relative survival rate is 95.1 percent for all people with HL who were younger than 45 years at diagnosis. HL is now considered to be one of the most curable forms of cancer.
Lymphoma most often spreads to the liver, bone marrow, or lungs. Stage III-IV lymphomas are common, still very treatable, and often curable, depending on the NHL subtype. Stage III and stage IV are now considered a single category because they have the same treatment and prognosis.
What is lymphoma? Lymphoma is a type of cancer that affects the lymphatic system. Although lymphoma is a serious disease, good treatment options are available. The lymphatic system is made up of a network of tubes (lymph vessels) and glands (lymph nodes) throughout your body.
Survival for all non-Hodgkin lymphomas
around 80 out of every 100 people (around 80%) survive their cancer for 1 year or more after they are diagnosed. around 65 out of every 100 people (around 65%) survive their cancer for 5 years or more after diagnosis.
For stage I NHL, the 5-year relative survival rate is more than 86%. For stage II the 5-year relative survival rate is 78%, and for stage III it is more than 72%. For stage IV NHL, the 5-year relative survival rate is almost 64%.
Your medical team are likely to suggest treatment if: your symptoms become difficult to cope with. you develop 'B symptoms' (night sweats, weight loss and fevers) your lymph nodes or spleen start to grow quickly or you develop swollen lymph nodes in new places.
Lymphoma is considered one of the most treatable forms of cancer if found early. For NHL, the overall five- and 10-year relative survival rates are 69% and 59%, respectively. For Hodgkin's lymphoma, the survival rates are equally improved, with a five-year survival rate of 85% and a 10-year survival rate of 80%.
Benign lymphoma, also called pseudolymphoma or benign lymphoid hyperplasia, is a rare noncancerous (benign) tumor made up of lymphocytes. Unlike other types of lymphoma, benign lymphoma is not cancer. Benign lymphoma may also be called follicular lymphoid hyperplasia or reactive lymphoid hyperplasia.
Overall, treatment for Hodgkin lymphoma is highly effective and most people with the condition are eventually cured.
People in stages 0 to II may live for 5 to 20 years without treatment. CLL has a very high incidence rate in people older than 60 years. CLL affects men more than women. If the disease has affected the B cells, the person's life expectancy can range from 10 to 20 years.
Non-Hodgkin lymphoma is usually treated with chemotherapy or radiotherapy, although some people may not need treatment straight away. In a few cases, if the initial cancer is very small and can be removed during a biopsy, no further treatment may be needed.
The changes can be gradual, but crises can develop. People with NHL most often die from infections, bleeding or organ failure resulting from metastases. A serious infection or sudden bleeding can quickly lead to death, even if someone doesn't appear very ill.
Doctors aren't sure what causes lymphoma. But it begins when a disease-fighting white blood cell called a lymphocyte develops a genetic mutation. The mutation tells the cell to multiply rapidly, causing many diseased lymphocytes that continue multiplying.
Stage 4 non-Hodgkin's diffuse large B-cell lymphoma has a five-year relative survival rate of 57%15. Stage 4 non-Hodgkin's follicular lymphoma has a five-year relative survival rate of 86%15.
Burkitt lymphoma: Considered the most aggressive form of lymphoma, this disease is one of the fastest growing of all cancers.
Skin reactions are common. Chemotherapy kills cells that multiply quickly, such as lymphoma cells. It also causes damage to fast-growing normal cells, including hair cells and cells that make up the tissues in your mouth, gut and bone marrow. The side effects of chemotherapy occur as a result of this damage.
Hodgkin lymphoma is one of the most curable forms of cancer. After treatment is complete, your care team will develop a survivorship plan that minimizes long-term side effects of treatment. Those risks include infertility, secondary cancers or toxicities to vital organs such as the heart and lungs.