Lymphoma

Lymphoma is a type of cancer that affects the immune system, particularly the lymphatic system. The lymphatic system is part of the immune system of the body designed to filter and clean the blood from any pathogens. The fluid that goes through this system is called the lymph, and it contains lymphocytes (or WBC). This lymph now goes through a channel of lymph vessels and lymph nodes which acts as a filter and collects these microbes. It is in the lymph nodes that lymphocytes act against the microbes and destroy them. Specific types of lymphocytes are then activated for this purpose. The B lymphocytes produce anti-bodies and also alert the rest of the immune system to act upon the intruder. The T-cells kill these microbes directly by engulfing them, and also regulate the immune system on just how strong or how weak it should act upon a microbe, and when to stop. Once the microbes are destroyed, these specific lymphocytes record the type of microbes that they have destroyed and will react swiftly and quickly the next time that type of microbe or pathogen invades the body.

In lymphoma, these B-cells and T-cells including their subtypes are produced in an uncontrolled manner and rate. This overproduction will cause them to pool into lymph nodes and produce a large mass. Eventually during the course of the lymphoma, these malignant growths will also reach the tonsils, bone marrow, and adenoid tissues. Because of the abnormal rate of growth and deviation from their original structure, these lymphocytes are rendered useless in fighting against future infections. Aside from that, the growth of the malignant cells can also damage the function of normal adjacent cells. Lymphoma can compromise the development of blood cells when they reach the bone marrow and spleen, leading to bone marrow depression and anemia. 

There are several types of Lymphoma, Hodgkin’s and Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma being the most popular major category. Some forms of lymphoma are not life-threatening (indolent lymphoma) and a patient can survive without the need for treatment. However, some types are very aggressive and can lead to death as with Burkitt’s Lymphoma. Other aggressive types of lymphoma, however, respond well to treatment, and as with most types of cancer prognosis is determined upon early detection and application of appropriate treatment.