Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma Survival Rate

The network that is built in our body, or let's say spread throughout the body, to fight off various diseases is the lymphatic system, and is thus a vital part of the immune system. Now this system, due to reasons which are still unknown by the medical community, can be affected by cancerous growths. This condition is known as lymphoma, and there are two types of it; Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma (NHL) and Hodgkin's Lymphoma (HL). It is the former type that we would be discussing today. But for your information, in Hodgkin's lymphoma, also known as Hodgkin's disease, there occurs a spurt of abnormal growth of cells in the lymphatic system. These cancerous cells may even spread beyond the lymphatic system. In case of the other type, there is the development of tumors from lymphocytes, which are a type of white blood cells.

Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma Prognosis

Depending upon the stage, the type, age of the sufferer and other elements, the survival rate can be assumed. Survival rate basically exhibits the percentage of patients who are known to survive a particular type of cancer, for a specific period of time. Generally, for cancer patients, the period taken is for 5 years. Meaning, a five-year survival rate is usually used to determine the cancer statistics.

So the overall 5-year non-Hodgkin's lymphoma survival rate is, according to what the American Cancer Society touts, 63%. And if a 10-year survival rate is considered, then the figure is 51%.

So taking a 5-year period into consideration, it means that, of all people diagnosed with this condition, around 63 of every 100 were able to survive the condition at least for 5 years, post diagnosis and after receiving lymphoma treatment. Which again implies the fact that, the rest 49 out of 100 people, could not survive and died within the span of 5 years.

As far as survival rate for stage-4 non-Hodgkin's lymphoma is concerned, this stage happens to be the most widespread form of the condition. Also, it happens to be the last stage. So most likely the survival rate may be less than what has been cited above. Now how less it may be, it is difficult to determine, as it varies from person to person, depending on various factors.

Symptoms and Causes

According to the cases attended by experts, it is found that non-Hodgkin's lymphoma tends to be more common than the Hodgkin's one. The common symptoms and signs include:

• Lymph nodes get swollen in the beck area, and that of the groin
• Pain or swelling in the abdominal area
• Fever
• Fatigue
• Abnormal perspiration in the nights
• Unintended weight loss

As mentioned earlier, it is not specifically known as what causes this condition. What happens is, normally the white blood cells in the system die when they age, giving way to the creation of new ones. However, due to some reasons they do not perish, but continue to grow and divide. With time, there gets accumulated so many lymphocytes that the lymph nodes begin to swell and cause complications.

Knowing about the survival rate of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma can be confusing and frightening for a patient. However, it gives you a subtle idea about the prognosis of the condition. But again, prognosis is a mere prediction that is based on several cases which have been handled earlier. So, it is wise not to get oneself too much involved in the subject, but religiously follow what the doctors recommend and lead a life as healthy as possible.