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Lymph glands (sometimes referred to as lymph nodes) are part of your lymphatic system. This system destroys and remove invaders such as viruses, bacteria and fungi from our bodies and therefore helps us to fight against infection.
When lymph nodes are swollen (this is most common in the neck, armpit, collarbone region, and groin), it may mean you have an infection.
If there is persistent but painless swelling of lymph nodes in the neck, collarbone region, armpits or groin, you may get diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL).
NHL is a disease that affects some white blood cells that belong to the lymphatic system, known as lymphocytes. In NHL the lymphocytes start to behave like cancerous cells and grow and multiply uncontrollably, and may not die off in the way they ought to. Because of this, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma is referred to as a cancer.
There are over 30 different types of NHL and accurate diagnosis of the type you have is very important.
Treatment for NHL will depend on which stage the disease is at and part's of the body it has spread to and affected.
Read more about Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL), by visiting our NHL Quick Guide. There you'll find a wealth of information that you can take with you to your doctors.
