About lymphoma
Lymphoma originates in developing B-lymphocytes and T-lymphocytes, which have undergone a malignant change. This means that they multiply without any proper order, forming tumours which are collections of cancer cells. These tumours cause swelling in the lymph nodes and other parts of the body.
Over time, malignant lymphocytes (called lymphoma cells) crowd out normal lymphocytes and eventually the immune system becomes weakened and can no longer function properly. Significant advances are continually being made in the way your lymphoma can be managed. This means that with treatment, many people can now be cured. Many others who are treated remain disease-free and well for a long time.
You may have heard about lymphoma in the news recently after actor Jeff Bridges announced he had been diagnosed.
Sub-types of lymphoma
There are more than 80 different sub-types of lymphoma currently recognised by the World Health Organisation’s classification system.
Five of these sub-types belong to a group of diseases called Hodgkin lymphoma. All other sub-types are commonly grouped together and called non-Hodgkin lymphomas.
