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Find Out if You Are Entitled to Financial Compensation for Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma Caused By the Contaminated Water at Camp Lejeune

Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma affects different people in different ways. The National Cancer Institute estimates that more than 80,000 patients are diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma annually (approximately 4.2 percent of all new cancer cases), and that more than 20,000 patients die from the disease each year. While the overall five-year survival rate for non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma is nearly 74 percent, survival rates vary greatly depending on when a patient gets diagnosed.

Just as non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma can have a wide range of effects, it can also have a wide range of causes. While studies have shown that individuals who have family members that have previously been diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma are more likely to receive similar diagnoses, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma is generally understood to result from external causes. This includes exposure to contaminated water, such as the water at Camp Lejeune from 1953 through 1987.

What Is Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma?

Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma is not a specific type of cancer but rather a general category of cancer with several subtypes. As the Mayo Clinic explains, “Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma is a type of cancer that begins in your lymphatic system, which is part of the body’s germ-fighting immune system. . . . [and] Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma and follicular lymphoma are among the most common subtypes.” While there have been advances in the treatment of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, it still proves fatal in many cases.

Specifically, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma can start “anywhere in the body where lymph tissue is found.” As outlined by the American Cancer Society, this includes:

• Adenoids
• Bone marrow
• Digestive tract
• Lymph nodes
• Spleen
• Tonsils
• Thymus

While non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma begins in these areas, it can spread throughout the body. As the American Cancer Society explains, aggressive forms of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma can grow and spread quickly “and usually need to be treated right away.” With all forms of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (and with most forms of cancer in general), prompt diagnosis and treatment are crucial for maximizing the chances of recovery.

What Are the Symptoms of Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma Caused By Water Contamination?

With this in mind, it is important to be aware of the symptoms of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. This is especially true if you have been exposed to the contaminated water at Camp Lejeune or any other potential source of the disease. Possible symptoms of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma include:

• Abdominal pain and swelling
• Chest pain
• Coughing
• Difficulty breathing
• Fatigue
• Fever
• Swollen lymph nodes (most commonly on the neck, armpits or groin)
• Unexplained weight loss

Of course, these can all be symptoms of a variety of other diseases as well, and this makes non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma particularly difficult to diagnose in its early stages. Unfortunately, this means that many patients do not learn of their cancer until it has already progressed significantly.

How Do Doctors Diagnose and Treat Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma Caused By Contaminated Water?

Doctors use a variety of tests to diagnose non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. This includes doing blood work, examining MRI and PET scans, conducting lymph node and bone marrow tests, and performing lumbar punctures. Some of these tests are used to rule out other potential diagnoses, while others test for cancerous lymphatic cells specifically. When diagnosing patients who have been exposed to toxins, such as those in the contaminated drinking water at Camp Lejeune, doctors will take this into account as well.

In terms of treatment, while there are a variety of options available generally, the specific options that are available in any particular case will depend on the stage of the patient’s cancer (among various other factors). The options that may be effective for treating a patient’s non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma include:

• Bone marrow transplants
• Chemotherapy
• Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cell therapy
• Immunotherapy
• Targeted therapy
• Radiation therapy

Can You Seek Financial Compensation for Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma Caused By Water Contamination at Camp Lejeune?

Patients and families can seek financial compensation for non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma in many cases. This includes seeking financial compensation for exposure to contaminants and toxins that cause non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, including those contained in the water supply at Camp Lejeune from the early 1950s through the late 1980s. At Martin & Jones, PLLC, we represent individuals and families in claims under the Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2022–a law that Congress enacted specifically to provide a source of financial recovery for victims of Camp Lejeune’s water contamination.

Speak with a Lawyer About Your Rights Under the Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2022

If you would like to know more about filing a lawsuit for non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma under the Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2022, we invite you to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation at Martin & Jones, PLLC. Our lawyers have decades of experience, and we can explain everything you need to know. To discuss your legal rights with an experienced lawyer in confidence, please call 855-941-1975 or tell us how we can reach you online today.

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