What is Lymphoma?
Lymphoma is a cancer of the lymphatic system, the body's disease-fighting network. The lymph system is made up of many cells and organs, including the lymph nodes, thymus gland, spleen, and liver. This system produces B-Cells and T-Cells lymphocytes, which make up your body’s immune system. These are spread throughout your body, much like your blood vessels. In lymphoma, lymphocytes start to multiply in an abnormal way and begin to collect in certain parts of the lymphatic system, such as the lymph nodes. Since these cells travel between the lymphatic and circulatory system while fighting infections and viruses, lymphomas are blood-related cancers. The affected lymphocytes lose their infection-fighting properties, making you more vulnerable to infection.
Although there are dozens of sub types of lymphoma cancer it is mainly divided into:
Hodgkin Lymphoma - This is a rare type of lymphoma cancer and is not seen affecting significant number of people. This type of lymphoma cancer affects a separate type of lymphocyte.
Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma - This is the more commonly seen form of lymphoma cancer and affects a particular type of lymphocyte cell. The rate of development of this type of lymphoma cancer is different and the type of treatment required also varies accordingly.
Causes of Lymphoma Cancer
Although scientists do not yet know the exact cause of this cancer there are certain risk factors that have been identified which are suspected to increase the chances of development of lymphoma cancer in a person, such as If:
- You are over 60 years of age
- You are male
- You suffer from a weak immune system due to AIDS/HIV or a congenital (birth) immune disease
- You have had an organ transplant
- You suffer from immune system diseases such as lupus, celiac disease, rheumatoid arthritis, etc
- You have previous cases of lymphoma in your close family
- You were exposed to harmful chemicals such as pesticides containing benzene
- You have had a previous treatment for Hodgkin/non-Hodgkin lymphoma
- You underwent radiation therapy for cancer treatment
- Are obese
These factors in general are known to raise the chances of development of the lymphoma cancer in a person.
