What is lymphoma?

Lymphoma is a type of cancer that can affect your body’s immune system and lymphatic system. Both of these systems help protect your body from germs and cancer.

There are two main types of lymphoma — non-Hodgkin lymphoma and Hodgkin disease. Non-Hodgkin lymphoma is more common and is cancer of certain white blood cells in the immune system, called lymphocytes. Hodgkin disease is a rare cancer of lymph nodes — small lumps of tissue found in the neck, armpits, and groin — which help fight infections and filter foreign substances from the blood. Hodgkin disease is marked by the presence of a type of cell called the Reed-Sternberg cell. These cells are usually a cell that is a large abnormal type of B lymphocyte.

When to See a Doctor

You should see a doctor if you have any of the symptoms of lymphoma, or if you are at risk for developing this disease.

How to Get Diagnosed

Diagnosis and Tests

Your healthcare provider can diagnose lymphoma with the following:

  • A physical exam
  • Blood tests
  • A chest x-ray
  • A biopsy

Endoscopic biopsy. An endoscope is a small, flexible tube that can be easily inserted into the body without large cuts (incisions). It allows doctors to see inside the body using a light and video camera. The doctor uses small surgical tools on the endoscope to perform the biopsy.

Surgical biopsy. Requires cutting through the skin to reach the tissue sample. In some cases, only a small sample is removed (incisional biopsy). In others, a lump or tumor is completely removed (excisional biopsy). Surgical biopsies may require special preparation. Follow all instructions from your doctor.

When will I know the results?

You will receive your results from the order physician or surgeon in 4-10 days, depending on the sample and tests.

What is non-Hodgkin lymphoma?

Non-Hodgkin lymphoma is a type of cancer that affects your body’s immune system. Your immune system is made up of different types of white blood cells that protect your body from germs and cancer.

Non-Hodgkin lymphoma is cancer of a type of white blood cell — called a lymphocyte. This cancer causes lymphocytes — like T cells or B cells — to become abnormal and to spread throughout the body.

 

Symptoms and Causes

Symptoms

The first sign of Hodgkin disease is usually a swollen, but painless, lymph node in the neck, armpits, or groin. Other symptoms include the following:

  • Fever and chills
  • Soaking night sweats
  • Poor appetite (not wanting to eat)
  • Itchy skin
  • Tiredness

Causes

The exact cause Hodgkin disease is unknown, but these things increase your chance of getting it:

  • Being in young or late adulthood
  • Being male
  • Having Epstein-Barr virus infection
  • Having a late-stage HIV infection
  • Having a first-degree relative — such as a parent or sibling — with the disease

What is Hodgkin disease?

Hodgkin disease is one of two main types of lymphoma. It is cancer of the lymph nodes, which are small lumps of tissue found in the neck, armpits, and groin. Lymph nodes are located throughout the body to protect it against germs and to filter foreign substances from the blood. Hodgkin disease can spread to other lymph nodes. As the cancer grows, it may spread to lungs, bone marrow, or the liver.

Symptoms and Causes

Symptoms

The first sign of Hodgkin disease is usually a swollen, but painless, lymph node in the neck, armpits, or groin. Other symptoms include the following:

  • Fever and chills
  • Soaking night sweats
  • Poor appetite (not wanting to eat)
  • Itchy skin
  • Tiredness

Causes

The exact cause Hodgkin disease is unknown, but these things increase your chance of getting it:

  • Being in young or late adulthood
  • Being male
  • Having Epstein-Barr virus infection
  • Having a late-stage HIV infection
  • Having a first-degree relative — such as a parent or sibling — with the disease