Lymphoma is a type of cancer that occurs within the cells of the lymph system. The lymph system consists of a series of lymph nodes and vessels that enable the movement of the lymph fluid containing the infection-fighting white blood cells within your body. The lymph nodes act as filters that help to capture and fight disease-causing bacteria and virus within your body, destroying them and preventing infection from spreading. The lymph cells fund within the lymph nodes called lymphocytes may become cancerous. Lymphoma affects the lymphatic system including areas like the bone marrow, thymus, spleen, tonsils and lymph nodes. Here is what you need to know about lymphoma.

What causes of lymphoma?
It occurs when there is an uncontrolled cell growth where the cells thrive and spread instead of dying.

What are the types of lymphoma?

• Hodgkin lymphoma  – It is the rarest type of lymphoma characterized by the Reed-Sternberg cells.
• Non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL)  – It is the most common type of lymphoma. It is identified using characteristics such as its appearance, the chromosomal features of the lymphoma cells, the existence of certain proteins, and its origin in the B-cells or T-cells.

What are the common types of Non-Hodgkin lymphoma?

• B-cell lymphoma occurs from abnormal B cells in the blood.
• T-cell lymphoma.
• Burkitt’s lymphoma is common among individuals with a compromised immune system.
• Follicular lymphoma begins in the white blood cells and is common among older people.
• Mantle cell lymphoma occurs in the gastrointestinal tract or bone marrow.
• Primary mediastinal B cell lymphoma predominantly affects women in their 20s and 30s.
• Small lymphocytic lymphoma found mostly in the lymph nodes, blood and bone marrow.
• Lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma causes the abnormal production of antibodies and is common among older people.

What are the symptoms of lymphoma?

• Enlarged lymph nodes in the neck, upper chest, armpit, stomach, and groin.
• Regular pain in your bones, stomach and during the intake of alcohol.
• Coughing.
• Fatigue and shortness of breath.
• An enlarged spleen.
• Fever and persistent sweating in the night.
• Rashes and itchiness on your skin and in your skin folds.
• Sudden unexplained weight loss.

What are the risk factors for NHL?

• Immunodeficiency due to a weak immune system caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), or taking an immune system-suppressing drug after an organ transplant.
• Autoimmune disease like rheumatoid arthritis and celiac disease.
• It is most common among people aged 60 years and above.
• Gender since women is more likely to develop some particular types of lymphoma while men are more likely to develop other specific types.
• Ethnicity since statistics indicates that white Americans in the United States are more likely to develop certain types of lymphoma than African-Americans as well as Asian-Americans.
• People who have had infections like the Helicobacter pylori, hepatitis C, human T-cell leukemia/lymph tropic virus (HTLV-1) and the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV).
• Exposure to chemicals from pesticides, fertilizers, and herbicides as well as exposure to nuclear radiation.
• Increased weight and obesity.

What are the risk factors for HL?

• HL is prone to people between 20 and 30 years of age as well as people aged over 55 years.
• Sex since research indicates men are more likely than women to develop HL.
• Family history as it is hereditary among family members.
• Infectious mononucleosis.
• Affluent individuals are coming from a background with higher socioeconomic status.
• Immunodeficiency especially among individuals with a compromised immune system.