Lymphoma (Hodgkin and Non-Hodgkin)
Overview
Lymphoma is a cancer of the lymphatic system, part of the immune system. It begins in lymphocytes, a type of white blood cell. There are two main types:
- Hodgkin Lymphoma (HL): Characterized by Reed-Sternberg cells
- Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma (NHL): A diverse group that includes B-cell and T-cell lymphomas
HL tends to be more predictable and curable, while NHL varies widely in behavior.
Symptoms
- Painless swollen lymph nodes (neck, armpits, groin)
- Fever and night sweats
- Weight loss
- Fatigue
- Itchy skin
- Chest pain or cough (mediastinal involvement)
Causes & Risk Factors
- Weakened immune system (HIV, organ transplant)
- Autoimmune diseases
- Infections: EBV (HL), H. pylori (MALT lymphoma), HTLV-1 (T-cell lymphoma)
- Family history
- Exposure to radiation or chemicals (e.g., pesticides)
Diagnosis
- Lymph node biopsy (excisional preferred)
- Blood tests
- Imaging: PET/CT scan
- Bone marrow biopsy (in some cases)
- Immunophenotyping and genetic testing
Treatment Options
- Chemotherapy (e.g., ABVD for HL, CHOP for NHL)
- Radiation therapy
- Targeted therapy (e.g., anti-CD20 monoclonal antibodies like rituximab)
- Immunotherapy (CAR-T cells, checkpoint inhibitors)
- Stem cell transplant (in relapsed or high-risk cases)
Prognosis
- HL: High cure rate (>85% in early stages)
- NHL: Varies by subtype (indolent vs aggressive)
- Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL): curable in 60–70%
- Follicular lymphoma: slow-growing, chronic
Living with this Cancer Type
- Managing long-term treatment effects (e.g., fatigue, fertility)
- Regular scans and lab monitoring
- Supportive care (nutrition, mental health)
- Vaccinations and infection prevention
Prevention & Screening
- No general screening
- Managing HIV and autoimmune diseases may lower risk
FAQs
Q: Can lymphoma be cured?
A: Many types, especially Hodgkin and aggressive B-cell NHLs, can be cured.
Q: Is lymphoma contagious?
A: No. But some viruses linked to lymphoma (e.g., EBV, HTLV-1) can be transmitted.
Q: What’s the difference between Hodgkin and Non-Hodgkin?
A: HL has Reed-Sternberg cells and is more predictable; NHL includes diverse subtypes.
Resources
- Lymphoma Research Foundation
- Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
- Lymphoma Coalition
- ClinicalTrials.gov
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