overview
- Lymphatic system
- Lymphatic system popup dialog opens lymph node clusters in the entire lymphatic system
- Open the pop-up dialog
- Lymphoma is cancer of the lymphatic system, which is part of the body’s network to fight germs.
The lymphatic system includes the lymph nodes (lymph nodes), spleen, thymus, and bone marrow. Lymphomas can affect any of these areas as well as other organs throughout the body.
There are many types of lymphoma. The main sub-types are:
- Hodgkin lymphoma (formerly called Hodgkin disease)
- Non-Hodgkin lymphoma
- Which lymphoma treatment is best for you depends on your type of lymphoma and how severe it is. Treatment for lymphoma can include chemotherapy, immunotherapeutics, radiation therapy, bone marrow transplant, or a combination thereof.
symptoms
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Swollen lymph nodes Open the popup dialog
- The signs and symptoms of lymphoma can include:
- Painless swelling of the lymph nodes in the neck, armpits or groin
- Persistent fatigue
- fever
- Night sweats
- shortness of breath
- Inexplicable weight loss
The reasons
Doctors aren’t sure what causes lymphoma. But it starts when a disease-fighting white blood cell called a lymphocyte develops a genetic mutation. The mutation instructs the cell to multiply quickly, causing many diseased lymphocytes to multiply.
The mutation also allows the cells to continue to live while other normal cells die. This leads to too many diseased and ineffective lymphocytes in your lymph nodes and swelling of the lymph nodes, spleen, and liver.
Risk factors
Factors that can increase your risk of lymphoma include:
- Your age. Some types of lymphoma are more common in young adults, while others are most commonly diagnosed in people over 55.
- Be a man. Men are slightly more likely to develop lymphoma than women.
- Having a weakened immune system Lymphoma is more common in people with immune system disorders or in people who take drugs that suppress their immune system.
- Develop certain infections. Some infections are associated with an increased risk of lymphoma, including Epstein-Barr virus and Helicobacter pylori infection.
