Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma is one of a group of cancers that are called lymphomas. Cancers that begin in your lymphatic system are called lymphomas.

Your lymphatic system is made up of a network of thin lymphatic vessels that branch into called tissues throughout your body like blood vessels. Lymphatic vessels carry a watery, colorless fluid called lymph. Lymph contains infection-fighting cells called lymphocytes. Small organs lymph nodes are along this network of vessels. Clusters of these lymph nodes are found in your chest, neck, underarms, abdomen and groin. Lymphatic tissue is found in your skin, intestines and stomach. Your spleen, bone marrow, tonsils and thymus are also a part of your lymphatic system.

Your lymphatic system produces white blood cells. These white blood cells are called lymphocytes. They do an important job of protecting you from infectious invaders like viruses, fungi and bacteria.

Lymphoma occurs when these lymphocytes begin to multiply uncontrollably. They produce malignant cells. They have the abnormal ability to invade other tissues throughout your body.

Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma is one of the two main types of lymphoma. The other main type is Hodgkin’s disease, also known as Hodgkin’s lymphoma. These are classified according to some special characteristics of the cancer cells in each type.

Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma is far more common than Hodgkin’s disease. Hodgkin’s disease represents only 1% of all the cases of cancer in the United States. Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, however, is the sixth most common cancer in men, and the fifth most common cancer in women.

The only effect of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma in the early stages may be swollen lymph nodes in your groin, armpit or neck area. Later, the disease can cause a variety of effects depending on where the affected area is in your body. These include:

• Unintentional weight loss
• Severe itching
• Fever
• Night sweats and excessive sweating
• Shortness of breath or coughing if the disease is affecting your lymph nodes or thymus gland in your chest
• Seizures, headaches, personality changes or concentration problems if the area affected is cells in your brain
• Stomach swelling or pain that can lead to constipation, vomiting, nausea and loss of appetite.

Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma may be why you are disabled. This disease may be why you are in need of financial assistance.

Have you applied for financial help from the Social Security Administration for Social Security disability benefits or disability benefits because of the disability caused by non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma? Were you denied?

You may plan on appealing the denial by the Social Security Administration. If you do, remember this.

You may need the counsel of a disability attorney like the one you will find at socialsecurityhome.com in what can prove to be a long and arduous procedure. The reason why this is true is because people who are represented by a disability lawyer are approved more often than those people without an attorney.