What Is Lymphoma?

Lymphoma is a disease that is present throughout a significant portion of the population. Many people don’t know very much about the disease, and so in this article, we’ll give you some basic information so that you can better understand what exactly lymphoma is.

            While lymphoma is commonly thought of as a single disease, there are actually more than 30 different types of lymphoma that one may be subject to.These diseases are actually subdivided two different types of lymphoma: one is known as Hodgkin’s lymphoma, and the other one is known appropriately by the name Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. There are 5 types of Hodgkin’s lymphoma, and more than 25 different types of Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma is actually the most common type of cancer that affects the lymphatic system, and the rate of occurrence of this type of disease has risen sky-high in recent years. Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma is actually not just one type of tumor, it represents several types of cancers that are closely related to each other that affect the lymphatic system of waste removal present in the human body. The disease can begin growth in the lymph nodes, the lymphatic organs of the body, and the parts of the body that contain lymph tissue. Basically, it can strike anywhere. Common symptoms of Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma include swollen lymph nodes, fever, night sweats, and unexplainable itching. Hodgkin’s lymphoma is a little different from its counterpart. One major difference between the two diseases is that Hodgkin’s lymphoma occurs much less often than it’s counterpart. Hodgkin’s lymphoma is formed when white blood cells grow out of control. It begins to grow in the lymph nodes, just like Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, and it generally spreads outward throughout the body in a uniform pattern, as opposed to Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma where tumors may appear at random intervals throughout the body. The symptoms of Hodgkin’s lymphoma are much the same as those of Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, so unexplained itching and swelling of the lymph nodes should be addressed by a doctor if you are concerned.

            The reason that people become afflicted with these two types of diseases is still relatively unknown. While much research is being conducted about the subject, there are only a few leads as to why someone may contract the diseases. One major warning sign for a risk of lymphoma is a family history of the disease; while not conclusive proof that one will get lymphoma or not get lymphoma, it is definitely something to watch out for. Also, those who are afflicted with an auto-immune disease such as HIV may be more at risk for developing lymphoma. In addition, people who receive organ transplants are considered at risk for getting lymphoma. There are many types of therapy that patients may undergo to help them cope with the lymphatic disease, and most commonly, some form of radiation therapy or chemotherapy is employed. As far as Hodgkin’s lymphoma goes, the five-year-survival rate for the disease rests at around 85%, which is a significantly high rate, considering the damage that lymphoma can do to the human body. This is due to the high amount of research and experimentation that is being conducted on the topic to help us figure out new ways to fight the disease. One terrible fact about lymphoma is the disease’s ability to become immune to different types of medications and treatments over the years, and what worked once may not work again if the disease comes back from remission. To that end, those with lymphoma need to always check what’s on the horizon when it comes to possible treatments, as this disease can be a tough one to tackle.