Non Hodgkins Lymphoma History

Lymphoma is a type of cancer that affects the immune system by attacking white blood cells and often cause tumors to develop in the lymph nodes. There are two types of lymphoma: Hodgkins and Non Hodgkins. Although this cancer has been studied for centuries, researchers today are still seeking a cure.

Origins

• In 1832, Dr. Thomas Hodgkin published a paper on lymphatic cancer of the spleen. It is from his name that the term Hodgkins lymphoma was derived.

Early Treatments

• In 1894, one medical text prescribed an early treatment for lymphoma: Fowler's solution, an arsenic-based form of chemotherapy. In 1943, a material derived from mustard gas was used to treat the disease.

The Bifurcation

• A distinction was made between Hodgkins and Non Hodgkins lymphoma under the Working Formulation in 1982. While the various forms of Non Hodgkins lymphoma differ greatly from each other, they are similar in that they do not produce a certain kind of cell, known as a Reed-Sternberg cell.

Resources

• In 1994, Mike Barela formed what will become the Lymphoma Information Network.

Treatment Breakthroughs

• In 1997, the medication known as Rituxan was approved for treating some forms of Non Hodgkins lymphoma.

Recent Studies

• In 2005, a group of researchers linked the Epstein-Barr Virus to certain kinds of lymphoma. This is the virus that also causes mono ("the kissing disease").