Many notable people have died from non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL), including Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen, actor Andy Whitfield, former First Lady Jackie Kennedy, and sports figures like footballer A. Gary Ablett, highlighting that NHL affects diverse individuals, though its statistics show it's a significant cancer cause, with thousands dying annually globally and in places like Australia.
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Despite advances in therapy and supportive care of patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, many patients still die of this disease or of sequelae related to its treatment.
In an upbeat Instagram post, Jane Fonda recently announced she had non-Hodgkin lymphoma, a cancer of the lymphocytes (white blood cells). "This is a very treatable cancer.
Postmortem examination (70% of the entire sample) revealed evidence of lymphoma in 67 of 80 patients. The most frequent extranodal sites of involvement were the respiratory tract, bone marrow, liver, kidney, and gastrointestinal tract in that order. The most common cause of death was infection (33% of cases).
Survival data regarding Hodgkin vs. non-Hodgkin lymphoma depends on each patient's specific situation, but in general, the five-year relative survival rate for Hodgkin lymphoma is higher than that of non-Hodgkin lymphoma. One reason may be that non-Hodgkin lymphoma is often diagnosed when the cancer is more advanced.
NHL most often affects adults, but children can get it too. See Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma in Children. NHL usually starts in lymph nodes or other lymph tissue, but it can sometimes affect the skin.
In December 1993, Jackie was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma. She announced her diagnosis in January 1994, stating that the initial prognosis was good. She began taking chemotherapy and continued to work at Doubleday, but by May, the cancer was pronounced terminal.
A weakened immune system or an autoimmune condition.
Having a condition that affects the immune system can increase the risk of non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Conditions may include rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis and Sjogren syndrome. The immune system also may be weakened after organ transplant.
Celebrities Who Have Battled Leukemia and Lymphoma
The exact signs and symptoms differ from person to person. However, common symptoms of dying from lymphoma include extreme fatigue, breathing changes, and loss of appetite. Lymphoma is a type of cancer that starts in the lymphatic system, which is part of the body's immune system.
Chemotherapy can have several side effects, the most significant of which is potential damage to your bone marrow. This can interfere with the production of healthy blood cells and cause the following problems: feeling very tired (fatigue) breathlessness.
Actor and social media influencer Bret Hanna-Shuford died January 3, after being diagnosed in 2025 with a rare form of hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis and peripheral T-cell lymphoma. He was 46 years old. Husband Steven R. Hanna announced the news on Instagram.
Survival for all non-Hodgkin lymphomas
around 65 out of every 100 people (around 65%) survive their cancer for 5 years or more after diagnosis. it is predicted that 55 out of every 100 people (55%) will survive their cancer for 10 years or more after they are diagnosed.
David Coulier, best known for his role as Joey Gladstone on the ABC sitcom, “Full House,” has received a new cancer diagnosis — only a short while after beating stage 3 non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma. Coulier, 66, shared that his physician said his condition is known as p16 squamous carcinoma, a head and neck cancer.
Non-Hodgkin lymphoma is caused by a change (mutation) in the DNA of a type of white blood cell called lymphocytes, although the exact reason why this happens isn't known. DNA gives cells a basic set of instructions, such as when to grow and reproduce.
Can stress cause non-Hodgkin's lymphoma? While stress can impact overall health, there is no direct evidence linking stress alone to the development of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. The disease's causes are multifactorial, involving genetic, environmental, and immune system factors.
We demonstrate that the risk of NHL increases for individuals occupationally exposed to pesticides, benzene, and trichloroethylene. Our findings may provide information for public health and practical decision-making about certain work activities and the use of chemical compounds.
Burkitt lymphoma: Considered the most aggressive form of lymphoma, this disease is one of the fastest growing of all cancers. Burkitt lymphoma, named for the surgeon who first identified the cancer in the 1950s, accounts for about 2 percent of all lymphoma diagnoses.
Christopher Anderson: These Few Precious Days: The Final Year of Jack with Jackie. Mirror: “As John F Kennedy lay dying Jackie whispered – I love you Jack, I love you”
Assassination. Kennedy was seated to the left side of the President in the back seat of the open-top presidential limousine as the vehicle traveled through local streets in Dallas. Immediately after he was shot in the head, her suit was spattered by his blood.
Common symptoms of having lymphoma include swelling of lymph nodes in your neck, in your armpits or your groin. This is often but not always painless and often could be associated with fevers, or unexplained weight loss, or drenching night sweats, sometimes chills, persistent fatigue.
Lymphomas that start or grow in the abdomen (belly) can cause swelling or pain in the abdomen. This could be from lymph nodes or organs, such as the spleen or liver, getting bigger. It can also be caused by the buildup of large amounts of fluid.
Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma (NHL) seriousness varies greatly; it can be slow-growing (indolent) or fast-growing (aggressive) but is generally considered very treatable, with many types curable or controllable for long periods, though it can spread and become life-threatening without treatment. Prognosis depends heavily on the specific subtype, stage, patient's age, and overall health, but advances in treatment mean people are living longer, with some achieving long-term remission or cure, while others manage it as a chronic condition.