Lymphoma
(also called: Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma)
Lymphoma is a cancer of a part of the immune system
called the lymphatic system. There are many types of
lymphoma. One type is called Hodgkin's disease. The rest
are called non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.
Non-Hodgkin's lymphomas begin when a type of white blood
cell, called a T cell or B cell, becomes abnormal. The
cell divides again and again, making more and more abnormal
cells. These abnormal cells can spread to almost any
other part of the body. Most of the time, doctors can't
determine why a person gets non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.
Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma can cause many symptoms, such
as
- Swollen, painless lymph nodes
in the neck, armpits or groin
- Unexplained weight loss
- Fever
- Soaking night sweats
- Coughing, trouble breathing or
chest pain
- Weakness
and tiredness that don't go away
- Pain, swelling
or a feeling of fullness in the abdomen
Your doctor will perform an exam and lab tests to determine
if you have lymphoma.
What Is Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma?
Non-Hodgkin lymphoma is cancer that
begins in cells of the immune system. The immune system
fights infections and other diseases. The lymphatic system
is part of the immune system. The lymphatic system includes
the following:
- Lymph vessels: The lymphatic
system has a network of lymph vessels. Lymph vessels
branch into all the tissues of the body.
- Lymph: The lymph vessels carry
clear fluid called lymph. Lymph contains white blood
cells, especially lymphocytes such as B cells and T
cells.
- Lymph nodes: Lymph vessels are
connected to small, round masses of tissue called lymph
nodes. Groups of lymph nodes are found in the neck,
underarms, chest, abdomen, and groin. Lymph nodes store
white blood cells. They trap and remove bacteria or
other harmful substances that may be in the lymph.
- Other parts of the lymphatic
system: Other parts of the lymphatic system include
the tonsils, thymus, and spleen. Lymphatic tissue is
also found in other parts of the body including the
stomach, skin, and small intestine.
Because lymphatic tissue is in many parts of the body,
Hodgkin lymphoma can start almost anywhere. Usually,
it's first found in a lymph node.
Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma Cells
Non-Hodgkin lymphoma begins when a lymphocyte (usually
a B cell) becomes abnormal. The abnormal cell divides
to make copies of itself. The new cells divide again
and again, making more and more abnormal cells. The abnormal
cells don't die when they should. They don't protect
the body from infections or other diseases. The buildup
of extra cells often forms a mass of tissue called a
growth or tumor.
More
details, including medically graphic images, can be
found at The National Cancer Institute (NCI). This
website has up-to-date information for patients and
practitioners about pancreatic cancer. To go to NCI
main web page please
click here
Lymphoma On-line RESOURCES
The Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the National
Cancer Institute (NCI) and the American
Cancer Society (ACS) among others, provide
many on-line cancer resources. Please make sure you
visit their constantly updated websites, reflecting
the latest scientific findings and visit the links
for more information about cervical cancer.
This website has
up-to-date information for patients and practitioners
about Lymphoma. To go to NCI main web page please
click here
Please make sure you check the MedlinePlus
online for unterine cancer with an extensive, constantly
updated resource list. Please
click here
is a source of information for the general
public and health professionals. To get to the ACS
website:
Detailed Guide: Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin Type: What Is
Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma? please
click here
Printed materials
to download
This section has pdf
(Adobe Acrobat format) files of useful resources created
by various agencies that can be downloaded directly
from the pacificcancer.org website. The organization,
year of publication and size of the pdf file are listed.
In this NCI boklet, you
will read about possible causes, screening, symptoms,
diagnosis, treatment, and supportive care. You will
also find ideas about how to cope with the disease. NCI
2006, 44 pages (pdf 468K). To download the pdf file please
click here
American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) 2008. 2
pages (pdf 304K). To download the pdf please
click here.
ASCO Answers is a series of fact sheets that provides
an introduction to a specific type of cancer. Each fact
sheet is a PDF that includes an overview of what the
cancer is, an illustration of where the cancer starts,
how it is treated, terms to know, and questions to ask
the doctor.
Acknowledgment: This text is adapted
from the NCI website.
