Lymphoma is simply defined as a type of cancer in the lymph system. British physician Thomas Hodgkin was the first to publish initial descriptions of the condition in 1832. Thus, the specific type of lymphoma he described (Hodgkin’s lymphoma) was appropriately named after him. After his initial description, many other studies looked at several other forms or types of the cancerous disease.
A cancer appears when several of our bodies’ cells begin behaving abnormally. The body is comprised of various kinds of cells found in different organs like the nerves of blood. At times, normal cells cease getting usual biological signals that make them stop growing. When that happens, the cells abnormally continue to multiply and grow. This is the formation of cancer cells. When the cancer cells grow, the affected organ stops working normally. Several of the cancer cells also start to break off from the original site, spreading into many other body parts and affecting many other organs.
The lymph system comprises an interconnected network with thin nodes and tubes carrying white blood cells. Such cells are responsible for fighting off infections. This way, they are vitally significant to the body’s overall well-being. When a lymphocyte (a specific kind of white blood cell) in the lymph system starts to become cancerous, it would tend to multiply and grow leading to formation of lymphoma.
Which part of the body is usually affected by lymphoma? The cancer could affect any part of the lymph system. Usually, patients initially notice abnormal enlargement of the lymph nodes, specifically in the areas of the groin, the neck, and the armpits. However, lymphoma could also manifest in several other organs of the body. This is because minimal amounts of lymph tissue pass into practically every organ in the body as white blood cells reach out to different areas to perform control of infections.
This type of cancer is currently the most usual form of blood cancer or hematological malignancy especially in the developed countries. Lymphoma comprises about 5.3% of overall forms of cancers in the United States alone. It comprises of up to 55.6% of blood cancers diagnosed. According to data released by the US National Institute of Health, Hodgkin’s lymphoma is accounting for about 1% of total cases of cancer across the country. Patients with HIV infection and exposure to certain medications and drugs have higher incidences of lymphoma for obvious reasons.
Many forms of lymphoma are indolent (occurring lifelong even without medication or treatment) or aggressive (causing fast deterioration of health and eventually death). However, most incidences of aggressive lymphomas are responding ideally to treatment. In other words, they are curable. This condition is not a single type of cancer because it comprises of a group of several related forms of cancers. There are about 30 various types of identified lymphoma. In a broad sense, lymphoma could be categorized as either Hodgkin or Non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Of course, each type has its own features and manifestations and results to different outcomes in the long term.
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Includes information about Hodgkin's Disease, Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma, and bone marrow transplants.
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Lymphoma Information Network " Lymphoma Info " Hodgkin's Lymphoma Hodgkin's Lymphoma is characterized by the presence of a special type of lymphatic cell called a Reed
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Offers links to articles about the different types of lymphoma and the lymphatic system as well as treatment options, alternative therapies, and related issues.
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Consumer health resource center providing an overview of lymphoma and its causes, symptoms, and treatment.
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Fighting leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease and myeloma.
Source: http://www.leukemia-lymphoma.org/all_page?item_id=7030 - patients against lymphoma" from this page:
Provides information for patients with b-cell lymphoma. Features directory of support groups, treatment overview, clinical trials, guidelines at diagnosis, and more.
Source: http://www.lymphomation.org/ - the leukemia amp; lymphoma society" from this page:
Fighting leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease and myeloma.
Source: http://www.leukemia.org/hm_lls - page cannot be found lymphoma research foundation" from this page:
Get started learning about lymphoma. Donate. You can make a real Content copyright © 2010 Lymphoma Research Foundation. All rights reserved, worldwide.
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Lymphoma definition, a tumor arising from any of the cellular elements of lymph nodes. See more.
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Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma. Now You Can Receive the Latest Breakthroughs each month about Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma without doing the research yourself!
Source: http://www.lymphoma-info.com/
