Lymphoma

Lymphoma is a group of <a href="/facts/Tumors_of_the_hematopoietic_and_lymphoid_tissues/tzyyShka">blood and lymph tumors</a> that develop from <a href="/facts/Lymphocyte/pS2pv2Ma">lymphocytes</a> (a type of <a href="/facts/White_blood_cell/vsDunUK0">white blood cell</a>). The name typically refers to just the <a href="/facts/Cancer/PVW6n1D0">cancerous</a> versions rather than all such tumours. Signs and symptoms may include <a href="/facts/Lymphadenopathy/t7t4tEon">enlarged lymph nodes</a>, <a href="/facts/Fever/waVxR2Ac">fever</a>, drenching <a href="/facts/Diaphoresis/c5zARtaT">sweats</a>, unintended weight loss, <a href="/facts/Pruritus/MBWq6SPc">itching</a>, and constantly <a href="/facts/Fatigue_(medicine)/C2oo4Hvg">feeling tired</a>. The enlarged lymph nodes are usually painless. The sweats are most common at night.
Many subtypes of lymphomas are known. The two main categories of lymphomas are the <a href="/facts/Non-Hodgkin_lymphoma/KIFxt74F">non-Hodgkin lymphoma</a> (NHL) (90% of cases) and <a href="/facts/Hodgkin_lymphoma/mCeqnGty">Hodgkin lymphoma</a> (HL) (10%). Lymphomas, <a href="/facts/Leukemia/WpEfW0Qh">leukemias</a> and myelomas are a part of the broader group of <a href="/facts/Tumors_of_the_hematopoietic_and_lymphoid_tissues/tzyyShka">tumors of the hematopoietic and lymphoid tissues</a>.
Risk factors for Hodgkin lymphoma include infection with <a href="/facts/Epstein%25E2%2580%2593Barr_virus/Uv8f1PNd">Epstein–Barr virus</a> and a history of the disease in the family. Risk factors for common types of non-Hodgkin lymphomas include <a href="/facts/Autoimmune_disease/sojBeQ7t">autoimmune diseases</a>, <a href="/facts/HIV%2fAIDS/RqLIEMuJ">HIV/AIDS</a>, infection with <a href="/facts/Human_T-lymphotropic_virus/1KLVDMIr">human T-lymphotropic virus</a>, <a href="/facts/Immunosuppressant_medication/ctlB3Hda">immunosuppressant medications</a>, and some <a href="/facts/Pesticide/Uhf4KnwJ">pesticides</a>. Eating large amounts of red meat and <a href="/facts/Tobacco_smoking/obI4MYne">tobacco smoking</a> may also increase the risk. Diagnosis, if enlarged lymph nodes are present, is usually by <a href="/facts/Lymph_node_biopsy/emX1hgWd">lymph node biopsy</a>. Blood, urine, and <a href="/facts/Bone_marrow_aspiration/8NVhtwx1">bone marrow testing</a> may also be useful in the diagnosis. <a href="/facts/Medical_imaging/pL6JyJEp">Medical imaging</a> may then be done to determine if and where the cancer has spread. Lymphoma most often spreads to the lungs, liver, and brain.
Treatment may involve one or more of the following: <a href="/facts/Chemotherapy/fWTLbaUT">chemotherapy</a>, <a href="/facts/Radiation_therapy/j60q5EC6">radiation therapy</a>, <a href="/facts/Proton_therapy/7tcS48hc">proton therapy</a>, <a href="/facts/Targeted_therapy/QaHGLjc6">targeted therapy</a>, and surgery. In some non-Hodgkin lymphomas, an increased amount of protein produced by the lymphoma cells causes the blood to become so thick that <a href="/facts/Plasmapheresis/pt2AfdrU">plasmapheresis</a> is performed to remove the protein. <a href="/facts/Watchful_waiting/y21bFPEL">Watchful waiting</a> may be appropriate for certain types. The outcome depends on the subtype, with some being curable and treatment prolonging survival in most. The <a href="/facts/Five-year_survival_rate/C6PENRfq">five-year survival rate</a> in the United States for all Hodgkin lymphoma subtypes is 85%, while that for non-Hodgkin lymphomas is 69%. Worldwide, lymphomas developed in 566,000 people in 2012 and caused 305,000 deaths. They make up 3–4% of all cancers, making them as a group the seventh-most-common form. In children, they are the third-most-common cancer. They occur more often in the <a href="/facts/Developed_world/sqwTSDHm">developed world</a> than in the <a href="/facts/Developing_world/eTfS4kxl">developing world</a>.

Lymphoma open-in-new

Lymphoma