Lymphoma

What is lymphoma?

Lymphoma is a type of blood cancer that begins with an abnormal change in a single white blood cell in the lymphatic system. The lymphatic system is part of our immune system, which helps protect against disease and infection. 

Parts of our lymphatic system include: 

• Lymph nodes
• Plasma cells
• Lymphatic vessels
• The spleen (the organ just above the stomach's left side that filters our blood)
• Lymphokines (a chemical made from white cells)
• Gastrointestinal (stomach and intestines) lymph areas
• Bone marrow (the spongy center of the bones)
• Immunoglobulins (proteins that help the body fight infection)  

Once the abnormal change occurs, the now-cancerous white blood cell begins to multiply. These cancer cells may grow faster and survive better than healthy blood cells. 

There are two main types of lymphoma: Hodgkin lymphoma and non-Hodgkin lymphoma, which is the most common.  

Types of lymphoma

Hodgkin lymphoma has characteristics that distinguish it from other diseases classified as lymphoma, including the presence of Reed-Sternberg cells. These are large, cancerous cells found in Hodgkin lymphoma tissues, named for the scientists who first identified them. Hodgkin lymphoma is one of the most curable forms of cancer.

NHL represents a diverse group of diseases distinguished by the characteristics of the cancer cells associated with each disease type. Most people with NHL have a B-cell type of NHL (about 85 percent). The others have a T-cell type or an NK-cell type of lymphoma. Some patients with fast-growing NHL can be cured. For patients with slow-growing NHL, treatment may keep the disease in check for many years.