Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma Overview

Cancer is a disease that starts in our cells. Genes inside each cell order it to grow, work, reproduce, and die. Cancer cells develop because of damage or changes in these genes. The body is usually able to repair damaged genes. However, in cancer cells, the genes are not repaired. [6,13]

Lymphomas are cancers of the lymphatic system—the body’s blood-filtering tissues that help fight infection and disease. Lymphoid (or lymphatic) tissue is found in various locations in the body, including the lymph nodes, the thymus gland, the spleen, the tonsils and adenoids, the stomach and intestinal tract, and the bone marrow. [15,31]

A lymphocyte is the main cell type found in lymphoid tissue. There are 2 main types of lymphocytes [15] :

• B lymphocytes (also known as B cells)
• T lymphocytes (also known as T cells)

In the United States, the large majority (85%) of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma cases develop from B cells; whereas only 15% develop from T cells. [15]

There are 2 major types of lymphomas. Hodgkin's lymphoma (otherwise known as Hodgkin’s disease) refers to the original lymphoid cancer that was described by Dr. Thomas Hodgkin in 1832. All other lymphomas are called non-Hodgkin's lymphomas. The difference between Hodgkin’s and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma can be determined through cell examination under a microscope and/or chemical tests. [15]

Types of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma

There are more than 30 different types of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL). A doctor will examine how the cancer cells look under a microscope and their pattern of growth within the lymph node(s) to determine your specific type. Be sure to talk to your doctor to get more information about your specific type of NHL. Below are 2 of the more common types of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma [15]:

• Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma accounts for approximately 33% of lymphomas. While the cancer often grows quickly, about 40% to 50% with this type are cured with treatment. Unfortunately, it is impossible to guarantee that a cancer will never come back in patients who have completed cancer treatment. [3]
• Follicular lymphoma accounts for about 14% of cases of lymphoma. This is a slow-growing cancer, found most often in older people. While standard treatment will not often cure this cancer, people may live a long time with it. After 5 years, 60% to 70% of people with this type of cancer will still be alive. With time, this cancer can change into the fast-growing diffuse B-cell type.

Together, these 2 types make up a little less than half the cases of lymphoma. The other half consists of a large number of other types. [15] Talk to your doctor about your exact type of lymphoma to better understand your treatment options.

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