Non-Hodgkin’s lymphomas are all types of lymphomas, except for Hodgkin’s lymphoma. This cancer affects lymph nodes and can occur both in a form that does not require treatment, and in a very acute form which is life-threatening for the patient, requiring immediate therapy due to the active spread of metastases. In clinics in Israel, oncologists and hematologists use the most advanced methods of treating non-Hodgkin’s lymphomas (NHL), thanks to which it is possible to achieve an efficiency of over 70% with a good prognosis for the absence of relapse.
Risk factors
- Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma mostly affects people over 60 years old, but young people and even very young children also suffer from this cancer.
- Excessive exposure to radiation, including solar radiation, is considered one of the main risk factors.
- Frequent consumption of carcinogens and products with pesticides, including constant contact with them in professional activities, and poor ecology.
- Autoimmune diseases.
- A sudden decrease in immunity, including due to HIV infection or taking immunosuppressants.
Oncologists often encounter the appearance of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma on the background of previous illnesses caused by hepatitis, herpes and Epstein-Barr viruses.
Symptoms of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
Enlargement of one or more lymph nodes even with no discomfort or pain. There are also indirect symptoms.
- Heavy night sweats at normal ambient temperatures.
- Severe fatigue and general weakness.
- Weight loss.
- Skin rashes and itching.
- Enlarged liver and spleen (with or without pain).
NHL Diagnostics
- Laboratory blood tests.
- Computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, and positron emission tomography (CT, MRI, and PET).
- Ultrasound examination (US);
- Lymph node and bone marrow biopsy.
- Lumbar punction.
Treatment of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma in Israel
The choice of therapeutic course depends on determining the type of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, which can be of three main types.
- B-cell lymphomas, which affect B-lymphocytes. These cells are responsible for producing antibodies in the immune system. This is about 85% of all diagnosed cases of NHL.
- T-cell lymphomas, which affect T-lymphocytes responsible for detecting foreign bodies and pathogens.
- NK-cell lymphomas, which affect natural killer lymphocytes that directly attack foreign bodies and cancer cells and kill them.
The course of treatment of non-Hodgkin’s lymphomas is selected in all clinics in Israel very carefully and only collectively, including oncologists, hematologists, immunologists and radiologists, in order to select the most safe therapy for a particular patient.
- Gentle chemotherapy with the latest generation of drugs with minimal toxic effects on healthy tissues and organs.
- Bone marrow transplantation. During chemotherapy, the number of hematopoietic cells in the bone marrow is sharply reduced. For the normal functioning of the body, a full restoration of hematopoietic function is required.
- Minimally invasive surgery if cancer-affected lymph nodes need to be removed.
- Radiosurgery (radiation therapy).
Clinics in Israel occupy leading positions in the world ranking of cancer centers engaged in the treatment of non-Hodgkin’s lymphomas, thanks to the constant implementation of innovations and high qualification of doctors. In addition, all conditions present in Israel for comfortable rehabilitation after a treatment course.