Define Lymphomas

Lymphoma is a type of cancer that develops in the lymph glands. The disease affects both children and adults and is the leading blood cancer in the United States, according to the Lymphoma Research Foundation. Treatment of lymphoma depends on the stage of the disease upon diagnosis and the overall health of the patient. Fortunately, lymphoma is a highly treatable type of cancer with a high cure rate.

Significance

• The Lymphoma Research Foundation states that nearly 500,000 people in the United States have lymphoma, with an estimated 75,000 new cases diagnosed each year.

Types

• Lymphomas are classified as either Hodgkin lymphoma or non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Non-Hodgkin lymphoma cases account for approximately two-thirds of all lymphomas in Americans.

Features

• Lymphoma occurs when lymphocytes, or white blood cells, multiply, become malignant and then develop into tumors that affect the lymph glands.

Symptoms

• The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society states that early lymphoma may present as a painless swelling of one or more lymph nodes. As the illness progresses, fever, chills, night sweats, unexplained weight loss, itching, fatigue and an enlarged spleen develop.

Treatment

• Treatment of lymphoma is with a combination of radiation, chemotherapy and biological therapy. According to the Lymphoma Research Foundation, recent advances in the treatment of lymphoma have significantly improved the prognosis for patients.