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Lymphoma Information

Lymphoma is the most common type of blood cancer in America. According to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, there will be 74,490 newly diagnosed lymphoma patients in 2009. They estimate that 65,980 will be diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and 8,510 will be diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma.

  1. The Facts

    • Lymphoma is a type of cancer that starts out in the lymphocytes, which are cells in the immune system. The two main types of lymphocytes are known as B and T cells. Since lymphocytes are white blood cells, both the B and T cells are programmed to seek out and destroy abnormal cells and infections. Lymphoma is caused by the transformation of the B and T cells. The cells begin to grow and multiply uncontrollably, causing tumors in lymph nodes such as the tonsils or spleen. There are two types of lymphoma, Hodgkin's lymphoma and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Doctor's have not yet pinpointed the cause of this disease.

    Hodgkin's Lymphoma

    • Hodgkin's lymphoma got its name from an English physician named Thomas Hodgkin, who described various cases of lymphoma in 1832. This type of lymphoma represents approximately 11.1 percent of all lymphoma cases. Hodgkin's lymphoma causes the lymphatic cells to grow abnormally, sometimes spreading beyond the lymphatic system. As the disease progresses, the body's immune system weakens and loses its ability to fight off infections.

    Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma

    • Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma is the most common type of lymphoma, and consists of 14 different types of the disease. It is similar to Hodgkin's lymphoma in the sense that it happens when a lymphocyte, typically a B cell, changes and starts growing abnormally. The B cell lymphocytes ward off infection by producing plasma that creates infection-fighting antibodies. Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma can spread to other parts of your body, affecting organs outside of the lymphatic system.

    Symptoms

    • Usually the only symptoms of lymphoma are painless, swollen lymph nodes in the armpit, neck or groin. If you exhibit other symptoms, they may include night sweats, fever, weight loss, fatigue, chest pain, trouble breathing, coughing, painful abdominal swelling, loss of appetite, increased sensitivity to the effects of alcohol and intense itching.

    Diagnosis and Treatment

    • Hodgkin's lymphoma often produces the same symptoms as other disorders. If your doctor suspects that you have this type of lymphoma, the tests he may perform include X-ray, biopsy, CT scan, PET scan, MRI, blood tests and bone marrow aspiration. Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma is diagnosed by any of the following: blood tests, urine tests, physical examination, X-ray, CT scan, PET scan, MRI, lymph node biopsy and bone marrow biopsy. If you are diagnosed with lymphoma, your doctor will base your treatment on certain factors such as the stage of the disease, your age, your symptoms and your overall health. Treatment options include radiation, chemotherapy, stem cell transplant, bone marrow transplant, biotherapy, radioimmunotherapy and interferon therapy.

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