Lymphoma is a type of blood cancer that starts in the lymph nodes and can affect any body part—commonly the bone marrow and spleen. Lymphoma is usually treated with chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or immunotherapy. There are also additional treatments that patients can use to manage their symptoms and the side effects of treatments. The most common types of lymphoma are non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and Hodgkin’s lymphoma, but there are many different variants, including the following types:
1. B-cell lymphoma
B-cell lymphoma is an uncommon type of cancer, but it can be fatal if not treated early. It starts in the cells that make up the lymphatic system and is caused by an abnormal B-cell, which is one of two types of white blood cells. When a person gets B-cell lymphoma, their immune system starts making abnormal B-cells that are not meant to be made. These abnormal cells can cause the body’s immune system to attack healthy tissue, resulting in symptoms ranging from a small lump to swollen glands, difficulty breathing, and nausea or vomiting.
2. T-cell lymphoma
T-cell lymphoma is the most common type of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma found in adults. It is also considered the most curable form of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. T-cells are essential to the immune system, making up about 20% of white blood cells. They protect the body from infection by destroying viruses or bacteria that enter the body through the skin, mouth, nose, and throat. This type of lymphoma is associated with a mutation in the retinoblastoma gene found on chromosome 13. T-cell lymphomas are classified into two major types: High-grade lymphoma and low-grade lymphoma. Low-grade lymphomas are generally treated with chemotherapy and radiation therapy, while high-grade lymphomas are treated with aggressive chemotherapy like CHOP or RITUXAN.
3. Burkitt’s lymphoma
Burkitt’s lymphoma is a type of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma that typically affects the middle-aged and elderly. Named after Dr. Thomas Burkitt, the doctor who first discovered it, Burkitt’s lymphoma is one of the most difficult cancers to treat, with low survival rates. As such, treatments for Burkitt’s lymphoma are very different from other lymphomas and have a high relapse rate. This disease often requires several rounds of treatment, which can be very expensive and time-consuming.
4. Follicular lymphoma
Follicular lymphoma is a type of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma that starts in the follicles of the immune system—mucous membranes and other tissues. In recent years, there has been an increase in the number of people diagnosed with this type of lymphoma. The reason for this increase is unknown, but it could be simply attributed to more people being tested for the disease. Follicular lymphomas are most commonly diagnosed by biopsy, in which a needle is inserted into the affected area to take a sample of cells from it. The sample is then sent to a lab for testing to determine whether it has been affected by cancerous cells. This cancer can be treated with chemotherapy and radiation therapy. In addition to treatment, research on new therapies that may help improve outcomes for patients with this type of lymphoma is ongoing.
5. Mantle cell lymphoma
Mantle cell lymphoma is a type of cancer that is more common in men and usually occurs in the neck, head, or chest. However, it can also occur in other parts of the body. Mantle cell lymphoma is difficult to diagnose because it looks like different types of non-Hodgkin’s lymphomas, with symptoms like swollen glands and fatigue, but it is more aggressive. The number of cases of this type of cancer has risen over the last few years, with more than 10,000 new cases diagnosed yearly in America alone.
