What Is Lymphoma?
Lymphoma is a cancer that starts in the white blood cells (lymphocytes) of your immune system, causing these cells to grow out of control and form tumors, most commonly in lymph nodes but potentially anywhere in the body. 1
The Basics
- Lymphoma develops when lymphocytes—the infection-fighting cells in your blood—become cancerous and multiply uncontrollably. 1
- There are more than 90 different types of lymphoma, but they fall into two main categories: Hodgkin lymphoma and non-Hodgkin lymphoma. 1, 2
- Approximately 82,000 Americans are diagnosed with lymphoma each year. 1
How It Typically Shows Up
- The most common sign is painless swelling of lymph nodes—usually in the neck, armpit, or groin—that doesn't go away. 1
- In more advanced disease, you may experience "B symptoms": unexplained fevers, drenching night sweats, and unintentional weight loss (more than 10% of body weight in 6 months). 1
- Some people feel no symptoms at all and discover enlarged lymph nodes during a routine exam or imaging for another reason. 2
What Causes It
- Tobacco use and obesity are the major modifiable risk factors you can control. 1
- Genetic factors, certain infections (like Epstein-Barr virus), and chronic inflammatory conditions also contribute to risk. 1
- Lymphoma is fundamentally an immunosuppressive condition, meaning your immune system becomes weakened by the disease itself. 1
How Doctors Diagnose It
- An open surgical biopsy of an entire lymph node is the preferred method—not a needle biopsy—because pathologists need to see the architecture of the node to classify the specific type accurately. 1
- The biopsy tissue is examined under a microscope and tested with special stains (immunohistochemistry) to identify which type of lymphocyte is involved and what subtype of lymphoma you have. 3
- After diagnosis, PET/CT scans determine how far the disease has spread (staging), which guides treatment decisions. 1
Treatment Overview
- Non-Hodgkin lymphoma is most commonly treated with R-CHOP chemotherapy (rituximab plus cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone). 1
- Hodgkin lymphoma is typically treated with ABVD chemotherapy (doxorubicin, bleomycin, vinblastine, dacarbazine), often combined with radiation therapy. 1
- Treatment plans vary widely depending on the specific subtype, stage, and your overall health. 2
Important Side Effects to Know About
- Chemotherapy can cause nerve damage (neuropathy), heart damage (cardiotoxicity), and increase your risk of developing second cancers like lung or breast cancer years later. 1
- These long-term risks should be discussed with your doctor when choosing a treatment plan. 1
After Treatment
- Once you achieve remission, you'll need regular follow-up visits to monitor for relapse and manage any late effects of treatment. 1
- Because lymphoma weakens your immune system, you should receive a 13-valent pneumococcal vaccine followed by a 23-valent pneumococcal vaccine at least 8 weeks later, plus other age-appropriate vaccinations. 1
- Your household contacts should also stay current with their immunizations to protect you. 1
Key Distinction: Lymphoma vs. Lymphedema
- Lymphoma is cancer of the lymphocytes (immune cells); lymphedema is chronic swelling caused by damage to the lymphatic drainage system—they are completely different conditions despite the similar names. 4