Lymphoma
Overview
Lymphoma is a form of cancer that can develop in the lymph nodes, blood, bone marrow, skin and occasionally other organs such as the eyes, lungs, stomach or intestines.
Lymphoma is not a single disease but a broad term that covers a wide range of cancerous conditions that have in common the fact that they all derive from various components of the immune system (T cells, B cells and NK cells). The specific lymphoma type is determined by the appearances of these cells when observed under the microscope, information about the genetic abnormalities within the lymphoma, how and where the lymphoma affects the patient, and how rapidly it progresses.
Symptoms, Diagnosis and Treatment
As lymphoma is not one condition but a broad category with many different types, the symptoms, treatment options and the chances of successful treatment vary from person to person. Essential first steps in the management of lymphoma include determining precisely which type of lymphoma is present, where in the body the lymphoma is growing and how other organs are functioning (to determine what treatments can be safely given). Once this information is obtained, a specific treatment plan can be determined that takes into account all these factors, as well as your personal preferences and practical aspects of your life situation.
Finding additional information about lymphoma
If you are searching for information about your lymphoma, for example the causes, treatment options or the prognosis, it is important to confirm with your haematologist or lymphoma specialist the precise type and stage of lymphoma that you have. To help you get the terminology of your lymphoma type correct, we have provided a comprehensive list of lymphoma subtypes established by a large international committee of experts. This is called the WHO lymphoma classification. This link provides a PDF of the complete list of major lymphoma types.
Further information suitable for patients with lymphoma and their families can be found at the follow websites:
Information provided by UpToDate
Information provided by the Leukaemia Foundation
General information on lymphoma
Information on B and T cell lymphoma
Information on Hodgkin's Lymphoma