Customer question:
What is lymphoma? Anonymous customer's question
Pharmacist's answer:
Lymphoma is a group of cancers that arise from the cells of the lymphatic system. The lymphatic system is part of the immune system and includes the lymph nodes, spleen, tonsils, bone marrow, and lymphatic vessels. Cells of the lymphatic system, called lymphocytes, play a crucial role in fighting infections and other diseases.
There are two main types of lymphoma:
- Hodgkin lymphoma (HL): this is a rare type of lymphoma that affects lymphocytes called Reed-Sternberg cells. It is divided into two main subtypes: classic Hodgkin's lymphoma and nodular lymphocyte-predominant Hodgkin's lymphoma.
- Non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) is a more common type of lymphoma affecting different types of lymphocytes. There are dozens of subtypes of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, which differ according to the histological structure and course of the disease.
Lymphomas can occur in any part of the lymphatic system and spread to other organs. Symptoms of lymphoma can vary and may include swollen lymph nodes, fever, night sweats, fatigue, weight loss, and other general symptoms.
Treatment of lymphoma includes different methods, which depend on the type of lymphoma, the stage of the disease, and the general state of health. Possible forms of treatment include chemotherapy, radiotherapy, immunotherapy, and stem cell transplantation. Treatment success depends on several factors, including the stage of disease progression and response to treatment.
Interesting reading: Cancer of the lymph nodes
Interesting reading: Lymphoma blood picture
