Small organs called lymph nodes, which are clustered throughout the lymphatic system, contain white blood cells which fight infection. Usually NHL begins in a lymph node and has been known to first appear in any of the lymphatic tissues in the body. Every year, over 53,000 new cases of NHL are diagnosed, and it is estimated that in the year 2000, it will be the fourth most common type of cancer.
Some patients also experience lower back pain.
NHL spreads from the lymphatic system to other organs, but unlike Hodgkin's disease the pattern of the spread is unpredictable. Some patient's NHL begins in the lungs, others may begin at the spine. There are many different types of Non-Hodgkin's Lymphomas which are grouped by cell type and rate of growth. Treatment generally includes combination chemotherapy combination, though localized disease or large masses may be treated with radiation. Often this is enough to bring the disease into remission.