What Is Lymphoma

Lymphoma is cancer that begins in infection-fighting cells of the immune system, called lymphocytes. These cells are in the lymph nodes, spleen, thymus, bone marrow, and other parts of the body. When you have lymphoma, lymphocytes change and grow out of control.

There are two main types of lymphoma 

 Non-Hodgkin: Most people with lymphoma have this type.

 Hodgkin

Non-Hodgkin and Hodgkin lymphoma involve different types of lymphocyte cells. Every type of lymphoma grows at a different rate and responds differently to treatment.

Lymphoma is different from leukemia. Each of these cancers starts in a different type of cell.

 Lymphoma starts in infection-fighting lymphocytes.

 Leukemia starts in blood-forming cells inside bone marrow.

 Hodgkin Lymphoma  

Hodgkin disease is most common in two different age groups: young adults (ages 15 to 35) and older adults (over age 50). It is somewhat more common in males than females, and more common in Caucasians than in African-Americans. Because of progress in treating Hodgkin lymphoma, most people with a diagnosis of Hodgkin lymphoma will be long-time survivors.

What Causes Hodgkin Lymphoma  

The exact cause of Hodgkin lymphoma is not known, but the following have been implicated:

 Viruses: The Epstein-Barr virus, the same virus that causes infectious mononucleosis (mono), has been implicated as a cause of Hodgkin lymphoma. The presence of the genome of this virus is seen in 20%-80% of Hodgkin lymphoma tumors.

 Familial: Same-sex siblings and an identical twin of a person with Hodgkin lymphoma are at high risk of developing the disease. Children with a parent who has Hodgkin is also at an increased risk.

 Environment: Fewer siblings, early birth order, single-family homes, and fewer playmates are associated with an increased risk of developing Hodgkin lymphoma -- possibly due to a lack of exposure to bacterial and viral infections at an early age .

Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma 

Non-Hodgkin lymphoma is further classified into a variety of subtypes based on the cell of origin (B-cell or T-cell), and the cell characteristics. The subtype of Non-Hodgkin lymphoma predicts the necessity of early treatment, the response to treatment, the type of treatment required, and the prognosis.

Non-Hodgkin lymphoma is much more common than Hodgkin lymphoma. Non-Hodgkin lymphoma is the seventh most common cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States. The risk of developing non-Hodgkin lymphoma increases with age and it is more common in males than in females and in Caucasians. North America has one of the highest incidence of non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

What Causes Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma  

The exact cause of non-Hodgkin lymphoma is unknown. However, there are multiple medical conditions that are associated with an increased risk of developing the disease:

 Inherited immune deficiencies

Genetic syndromes: Down syndrome, Klinefelter's syndrome (a genetic condition in men caused by an extra X chromosome)

 Immune disorders, and their treatments: Sjögren's syndrome (an immune disorder characterized by unusual dryness of mucous membranes), rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus

 Celiac disease, a disease involving the processing of certain components of gluten, a protein in grains

Inflammatory bowel disease, particularly Crohn’s disease, and its treatment

 Psoriasis

 Family history of lymphoma

Bacteria: Helicobacter pylori, associated with gastritis and gastric ulcers; Borrelia burgdorferi, associated with Lyme disease; Campylobacter jejuni; Chalmydia psittaci

💉Viruses: HIV, HTLV-1, SV-40, HHV-8, Epstein Barr virus, hepatitis virus

Non-random chromosomal translocations and molecular rearrangements