Lymphomas are cancers that start in the white blood cells, which are the main part of a fluid called lymph. Lymph helps your body fight infections.Lymphoma is a type of blood cancer. It occurs when abnormal white blood cells multiply and overwhelm your lymphatic system.Your lymphatic system moves lymph between your blood and your body’s tissues and includes your:
- Lymph ducts, nodes, and vessels
- Bone marrow
- Adenoids, tonsils, and thymus
- Spleen
Doctors diagnose about 90,000 people in the U.S. with lymphoma each year.
Lymphoma begins in lymphocytes, a type of white blood cell.
Cancer cells in either B cells or T cells — the two main types of lymphocytes —grow in ways that aren’t normal. Because there’s lymph tissue throughout your body, lymphoma can occur almost anywhere.
Types Of Lymphoma
There are more than 70 different types of lymphoma. They range from indolent (slow-growing) to highly aggressive. Lymphomas are categorized into two broad groups: non-Hodgkin lymphoma and Hodgkin lymphoma. Both types can occur in either children or adults.
Most lymphomas arise from the two main types of white blood cells called lymphocytes: B lymphocytes (B cells) and T lymphocytes (T cells). The cancerous cells can travel to different body parts, including the lymph nodes, spleen, bone marrow, blood, or other organs. From there, they can accumulate and form tumors.
Chronic lymphocytic leukemia:
Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is a type of cancer of the blood and bone marrow — the spongy tissue inside bones where blood cells are made.The term “chronic” in chronic lymphocytic leukemia comes from the fact that this leukemia typically progresses more slowly than other types of leukemia. The term “lymphocytic” in chronic lymphocytic leukemia comes from the cells affected by the disease — a group of white blood cells called lymphocytes, which help your body fight infection.
Chronic lymphocytic leukemia most commonly affects older adults. There are treatments to help control the disease.
Cutaneous B-cell lymphoma:
Cutaneous B-cell lymphoma is a rare type of cancer that begins in the white blood cells. This cancer attacks the skin. Cutaneous B-cell lymphoma starts in one type of germ-fighting white blood cell called B cells. These cells are also called B lymphocytes.The types of cutaneous B-cell lymphoma include:
- Primary cutaneous follicle center lymphoma
- Intravascular diffuse large B-cell lymphoma
- Primary cutaneous marginal zone B-cell lymphoma
- Primary cutaneous diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, leg type
Cutaneous T-cell lymphoma:
Cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL) is a rare type of cancer that begins in white blood cells called T cells (T lymphocytes). These cells usually help your body’s germ-fighting immune system. In cutaneous T-cell lymphoma, the T cells develop abnormalities that make them attack the skin.Cutaneous T-cell lymphoma can cause rash-like skin redness, slightly raised or scaly round patches on the skin, and, sometimes, skin tumors. The type of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma helps determine which treatments are best for you. Treatments can include skin creams, light therapy, radiation therapy, and systemic medications like chemotherapy. Cutaneous T-cell lymphoma is one of several types of lymphoma collectively called non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
Hodgkin’s lymphoma (Hodgkin’s disease):
Hodgkin’s lymphoma (Hodgkin’s disease) is an uncommon form of lymphoma. Large abnormal tumor cells called Hodgkin Reed-Sternberg cells distinguish Hodgkin lymphoma. Although it can occur in children and adults, doctors usually diagnose Hodgkin lymphoma in young adults between 20 and 34. There are two main subtypes of Hodgkin lymphoma: classical Hodgkin lymphoma and nodular lymphocyte predominant Hodgkin lymphoma. More than 90 percent of Hodgkin lymphoma patients have classical Hodgkin lymphoma.
There are four subtypes of classical Hodgkin lymphoma, including:
- Nodular sclerosis Hodgkin lymphoma
- Mixed cellularity Hodgkin lymphoma
- Lymphocyte-rich Hodgkin’s disease
- Lymphocyte-depleted Hodgkin’s disease
Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma:
Non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) is the most common type. While it can occur at any age, most older adults develop the illness. NHL includes many types, which doctors divide into two major groups: B cell lymphoma and T cell lymphoma. B cell lymphoma affects the B cells, a type of white blood cell that plays a role in the immune system. B cells produce proteins called antibodies, which help the body fight off infections and other diseases. In people with B cell lymphoma, the B cells become abnormal and multiply out of control, forming tumors in the lymph nodes and other body parts.
B cell lymphoma can be further classified into subtypes based on the specific type of B cell affected and the particular features of the cancer cells. T cell lymphoma -T cell lymphoma is a type of cancer affecting T cells, a type of white blood cell that also plays a role in the immune system. T cells help protect the body from infections and other diseases by identifying and attacking infected or abnormal cells. In people with T cell lymphoma, the T cells become abnormal and multiply out of control, forming tumors in the lymph nodes and other body parts. T cell lymphoma can be further classified into subtypes based on the specific type of T cell affected and the particular features of the cancer cells.
What Are The Symptoms Of Lymphoma?
The first symptom of lymphoma is often a painless swelling in one or more lymph nodes, usually in the neck, armpit, or groin. The swelling is caused by a build-up of abnormal lymphocytes (white blood cells) in the lymph node. Other symptoms of lymphoma include:
- Unexplained tiredness or fatigue
- Night sweats or fever
- Unexplained poor appetite or weight loss
- Widespread itching
- Bruising or bleeding easily
- Trouble getting over infections
- Pain in the chest or stomach area
- Swollen tummy
- Unexplained, persistent cough or shortness of breath
- Headaches or vision changes
- Red patches on the skin
What Are The Risk Factors Of Lymphoma?
Scientists study risk factors and protective factors to find ways to prevent new cancers from starting. Anything that increases the chance of developing cancer is a cancer risk factor, while anything that decreases it is a cancer protective factor. People can avoid some cancer risk factors, but many cannot. For example, smoking increases the risk of certain cancers, but only smoking can be avoided, unlike inheriting specific genes. We call risk factors that people can control modifiable risk factors. Many factors in our environment, diet, and lifestyle may either cause or prevent cancer. This summary focuses on the major cancer risk factors and protective factors that people can control or change to reduce their cancer risk. Risk factors not described in summary include certain sexual behaviors, the use of estrogen, and exposure to certain substances at work or certain chemicals. Factors that are known to increase the risk of cancer –
- Infections
- Radiation
- Smoking cigarette or tobacco use
- Immunosuppressive medicines after organ transplant
Factors that may affect the risk of cancer –
- Diet
- Alcohol
- Physical activity
- Obesity
- Diabetes
- Environmental risk factors
Many other conditions, such as the flu or a virus, can have similar symptoms to lymphoma. If you or someone you know is experiencing these symptoms and do not know the cause, it is essential to see a doctor as soon as possible.
How is Lymphoma Treated?
If you are having treatment for lymphoma, the choice of treatment depends on:
- the type of lymphoma (Hodgkin or non-Hodgkin)
- the stage of lymphoma — whether or not the disease has spread to other areas of the body
- how fast it is likely to grow
- your age and general health
- your symptoms
- whether or not you have had any treatments before
The main treatment options for lymphoma are chemotherapy and radiotherapy, which can be used on their own or in combination. Here are some common treatments for lymphoma:
Chemotherapy:
This is a treatment that uses drugs to kill cancer cells. It can be taken orally or injected into a vein.
Radiation therapy:
Radiation therapy uses high-energy beams, such as X-rays, to kill cancer cells.
Immunotherapy:
This treatment uses the body’s immune system to fight cancer. It can be drugs or other substances that boost the immune system’s ability to recognize and attack cancer cells.
Targeted therapy:
This treatment targets specific abnormalities in cancer cells that allow them to grow and divide.
Bone marrow transplant:
Doctors perform a bone marrow transplant to treat patients by transplanting healthy bone marrow to replace bone marrow damaged by cancer or chemotherapy. In some cases, they may recommend surgery to remove lymph nodes or other affected body areas. It’s important to understand that doctors may use these treatments alone or in combination. The specific treatment plan depends on the type and stage of the lymphoma, the patient’s age, overall health, and personal preferences. Depending on your location, a group of health professionals called a multidisciplinary team may manage the treatment of lymphoma. This team may include an oncologist (cancer specialist), a radiotherapist, a surgeon, a nurse, a social worker, and other health professionals.In some people with slow-growing tumors, doctors may recommend a watch and wait for an approach. This means they get regular check-ups, and are only treated when the lymphoma starts to grow faster.
Final Thoughts
A cancer diagnosis impacts many parts of your life – whether you have just found out you have cancer, are getting treated, or have finished treatment. You likely feel both physical and emotional changes that can impact how you feel and live. These changes may affect daily life, but there are ways to cope.
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