Lymphoma cancer

Note: The information on cancer types on the ACRF website is not designed to provide medical or professional advice and is for information only. If you have any health problems or questions please consult your doctor.

Overview

Lymphomas are a family of around 40 cancers that develop when immune-system cells called lymphocytes become cancerous, or malignant.

Because the lymphatic system runs all through the body, you can get lymphoma almost anywhere, however the commonest place to notice it is in the neck’s lymph nodes.

Lymphomas are divided into Hodgkin’s lymphomas and non-Hodgkin’s lymphomas.

Hodgkin’s lymphoma, also called Hodgkin’s Disease, originates in the lymph nodes, which are part of the lymphatic system of organs, tissues, and vessels producing infection-fighting cells.

In Hodgkin’s lymphoma, tumours contain a type of cancer cell called Reed-Sternberg cells. These are not found in non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma encompasses a large group of cancers originating in the lymphatic system.

A common symptom for both forms of the disease is one or more painless swellings in the neck, armpit or groin. These swellings are enlarged lymph nodes.

Although the two diseases are similar, it is important to diagnose which form a person has, as they are treated differently.

Treatment

Hodgkin’s disease is commonly treated with combined chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

In its early stage physicians try to limit radiation intensity to avoid potential complications later. Fewer cycles using more effective and less toxic agents is common. For advanced-stage disease, chemotherapy and radiotherapy are combined. If the disease recurs, a variety of approaches are used including chemotherapy stem cell transplantation.

Special treatments are being developed for each of the many diseases comprising non-Hodgkin’s. Current approaches depend on whether a patient’s lymphoma is aggressive or indolent, and whether it is at an early or late stage.

They may include a combination of different levels of radiotherapy and chemotherapy. A physician may also keep the patient under observation and defer treatment or treat patients with a high number of tumours with biology-based therapies. Patients who experience a relapse of this form of cancer may undergo bone marrow or peripheral blood stem cell transplantation.