Lymphoma is a broad term encompassing a variety of cancers of the lymphatic system. The lymphatic system helps filter out bacteria and is important in fighting disease. Lymph vessels widen into lymph nodes throughout the body, with major clusters clusters in the underarms, groin, neck, chest, and abdomen.. Most of us have felt these under our arms or neck (like when sick with mono or an infection).
Lymph node schematic showing lymph sinuses
In lymphoma, some of the cells in the lymph system multiply uncontrollably - if all the cells are the same they are called malignant or cancerous. Lymphoma is differentiated by the type of cell that multiplies and how the cancer presents itself.
The two main groups of lymphoma in humans are Hodgkin's Disease (characterized by the growth of Reed-Sternberg cells in the cancer) and the Non-Hodgkin's Lymphomas [NHL]. If you want to know the differences between these two groups, a chart is now available.
Statistics
According to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society:
- About 74,340 people living in the United States will be diagnosed with lymphoma in 2008
- 8,220 of these cases of will be Hodgkin lymphoma
- 66,120 of these cases will be NHL)
- The incidence of Hodgkin lymphoma is consistently lower than that of NHL.
- NHL is the fifth most common cancer in males and females in the United States.
- The age-adjusted incidence of NHL rose by 79 percent from 1975 to 2005, an average annual percentage increase of 2.6 percent.
- Age-specific incidence rates of NHL 2.9/100,000 at ages 20-24 for males and 1.9/100,000 for females. By ages 60-64, they are 53.9/100,000 for males and 39.2 per 100,000 for females.
Since the early 1970s, incidence rates for non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma have nearly doubled. Incidence rates for Hodgkin’s disease have declined about 60%. The rise of AIDS has contributed to the number of people diagnosed as their immune system is weakened enough to get a number of illnesses. Better means of diagnosis has also increased the number as doctors better understand cancer of lymphocytes verses other diseases.
Lymphoma is a serious condition. Lymphoma has indeterminate symptoms so it is sometimes hard to diagnose. Unfortunately, other medical problems often appear as lymphoma symptoms (infections and "Cat Scratch Fever
" are two).
If you are looking for information on Lymphedema (abnormal swelling due to the presence of excess lymphatic fluid within the tissues) instead of lymphoma - please refer to our lymphedema page.
Animal lymphomas are not related to human cancers at all.
The best advice is to see a qualified doctor and get all the information you can about your condition as things develop. Use the resources listed on this site, in books, and received by your own medical team to gather information. Informed people make better decisions.
Lymphoma - Where do I Start?
Finding out you or someone close to you has lymphoma is a devastating experience. The oncologist and others on your "medical team" (do not discount the wisdom of your nurse!) will explain many things to you and (hopefully) give you information on your condition and treatment. Often times, though, people seek additional information. Since you are here, I assume you, like I, turned to the computer to find information via the Internet.
This site has been designed to combine information from both printed media and Internet sites to give you the best information on lymphoma and premier support resources. Please refer to additional pages for information.
Dive Deeper
People
For chat information and other contacts with real people, see the Lymphoma Support and Lymphoma Organizations sections.
General Information
Adult Lymphomas
Childhood Lymphomas
Books
Living With Lymphoma by Elizabeth Adler, Ph.D., Oct. 2005, The Johns Hopkins University Press
Other good books may be located in the books section.
