Lymphoma is a type of cancer affecting the lymphatic system. Cancer begins in the immune system cells that fight against infections, also called lymphocytes.

The cells are present in the lymph nodes, thymus, spleen, bone marrow, and some other body parts. Patients experience a change in lymphocytes that grow out of control.

Lymphoma may develop at any age, but it is common in children and young adults of 15 to 24 years. It is usually treatable.

Two broad categories of lymphoma types include Hodgkin and Non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). In the country, there is a 2.1 percent lifetime risk of developing Non-Hodgkin lymphoma, whereas Hodgkin lymphoma risk is at 0.2 percent.

1. Facts about Lymphoma

• Lymphoma is a cancer of the lymphatic system and lymph nodes.
• Non-Hodgkin lymphoma is more common of the two lymphoma types.
• The primary symptom of lymphoma is an enlarged lymph node that doesn’t go away, unlike in the case of an infection.
• There are no preventive measures for lymphoma, though survival rates are good after undertaking treatments.

2. Different types of Lymphoma

Dr. Thomas Hodgkin, a pathologist, sometime in the 1800s, identified the cells in Hodgkin’s lymphoma, as it is commonly known now.

People suffering from Hodgkin’s lymphoma have enormous Reed-Sternberg (RS) cancerous cells, which Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma (NHL) patients do not have.

3. Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma

Research records that Non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) is three times more common compared to Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

There are many lymphoma types under both categories. Doctors determine NHL types of lymphoma by the cells they affect and the growth of cells. NHL generally forms in either T-cells or B-cells of the human immune system.

4. Different types of NHL

• B-cell Lymphoma
• T-cell Lymphoma
• Burkitt’s Lymphoma
• Follicular Lymphoma
• Mantle cell lymphoma
• Primary mediastinal B cell lymphoma
• Small lymphocytic lymphoma
• Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia

5. Hodgkin’s Lymphoma

Hodgkin’s lymphoma is rare and aggressive, often difficult to treat. Different Hodgkin’s lymphoma types include:

• Lymphocyte-depleted Hodgkin’s disease
• Lymphocyte-rich Hodgkin’s disease
• Mixed cellularity Hodgkin’s lymphoma
• Nodular lymphocyte-predominant Hodgkin’s disease
• Nodular sclerosis Hodgkin’s disease

6. Symptoms of Lymphoma

• Painless swelling of the lymph nodes present in the neck, groin, and armpits
• Fever
• Persistent fatigue
• Night Sweats
• Breathlessness
• Unexplained weight loss
• Itching
• Cough

7. Causes of Lymphoma

Researchers could not conclude a specific cause of lymphoma; however, some risk factors exist:

• Age

People who are 60 years of age and above are more likely to get NHL, though it is common in children too. People aged between 20 to 30 years and over 55 years are at a higher risk of Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

• Sex

NHL is more common in women than men are, whereas it is just the opposite for Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

• Ethnicity

In the country, Asian-Americans and African-Americans are at low risk of NHL compared to others. Hodgkin’s lymphoma is most common in Canada, the US, and northern parts of Europe. It is least common in Asian countries.

• Immunodeficiency

People with weaker immune systems are at an increased risk of developing this disease. For instance, people with AIDS or HIV or under medication post organ transplant are likely to develop Lymphoma.

8. Treatment options for Lymphoma

Treatment depends on the stage and type of lymphoma, patient’s overall health, and preferences. The treatment aims to destroy as many cancer cells as possible and prepare the body for remission.

Common treatment options are:

• Chemotherapy
• Drug therapy
• Radiation therapy
• Bone marrow transplant

Lymphoma diagnosis is overwhelming. However, with time, the patient finds various ways of coping with the disease, distress, and symptoms.