Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma is much more common than Hodgkin's disease, which was named after the British doctor who first described it and which tends to develop in patients between the ages of 15 and 40. Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma usually occurs between the ages of 30 and 70. In general, the outlook for those with Hodgkin's disease is more favorable than for those with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Obviously King Hussein and Jacqueline Onassis, both of whom died within a year of being diagnosed, were unlucky enough to develop very aggressive cases of this malignancy. No one knows why lymphoma is becoming more prevalent, but exposure to pesticides and other environmental toxins and to certain infections may be responsible.
Lymphoma affects the cells in the lymphatic system, which is part of our immune defenses .
The most common symptom is a painless swelling of the lymph nodes in the neck, armpit, groin or abdomen. Other symptoms include fever, night sweats, fatigue, indigestion, abdominal pain, loss of appetite and bone pain. This is definitely a case where conventional medicine offers the best chance for survival. While I have heard of a few people recovering from non-Hodgkin's lymphoma by using purely alternative methods, I do not recommend those alone. Dr. Andrew Weil Cases of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma have doubled and no one knows why.