Lymphoma Information Network - B-Cell Lymphomas

Lymphoma Information Network - Hodgkin's Disease and the Non-Hodgkin's Lymphomas

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Non-Hodgkin's Lymphomas caused by malignant (cancerous) B-Cell lymphocytes represent a large subset (about 85% in the US) of the known types of lymphoma (the other 2 subsets being T-Cell lymphomas and lymphomas where the cell type is the Natural Killer Cell or unknown).		<! browsers dont understand iframe show this > <p align="right">:-)</p>
B-Cells undergo many changes in their life cycle dependent on complex signaling processes between cells and interaction with foreign substances in the body. Apparently various types of lymphoma or leukemia can occur in the B-Cell life cycle. The following chart attempts to summarize this:	<! browsers dont understand iframe show this > <p align="right">:-)</p>

As with much of the biology underlying lymphoma, the chart represents what researchers believe but not conclusive knowledge. No comparable chart exists for T-Cell malignancies. Causes Most cases of follicular lymphoma, especially those rich in small-cleaved cells, have a t(14;18) gene translocation. This results in a rearranged and constitutively over-expressed gene called BCL-2. The BCL-2 gene tells the body to produce an inner mitochondrial membrane protein that blocks programmed cell death (apoptosis). Many cases of small non-cleaved cell lymphomas including Burkitt's also have a gene translocation - the MYC gene, t(8;14). Most mantle cell lymphomas rearrange the BCL-1 gene, t(11;14). Some low-grade lymphomas can progress to higher grade disease. In Richter's transformation, for example, small lymphocytic lymphoma promotes itself to diffuse large cell lymphoma. Causes for this and other types of lymphoma are under constant investigation. B-Cell Lymphomas: A Breakdown Lymphomas are categorized by how the B-cells are affected. An in-depth list of lymphoma classifications is available for reference. Please select a link for a specific lymphoma or group of lymphomas: Follicular lymphomas Small Non-Cleaved Cell Lymphomas Endemic Burkitt's lymphoma Sporadic Burkitt's lymphoma Non-Burkitt's lymphoma Marginal Zone Lymphoma Mucosa-Associated Lymphoid Tissue MALT / MALToma (extranodal) Monocytoid B-cell lymphoma (nodal) Splenic Lymphoma with villous lymphocytes Mantle Cell Lymphoma Large Cell Lymphoma Diffuse Large Cell Diffuse Mixed Cell Immunoblastic Lymphoma Primary Mediastinal B-Cell Lymphoma Angiocentric Lymphoma - Pulmonary B-Cell Small Lymphocytic Lymphoma Resources eMedicine - B-cell Lymphomas (new) Lymphoma and Integrative Medicine offers information about adult Nonhodgkin's B-cell lymphomas in the context of integrative medicine. Monoclonal Antibody information (effective on some B-cell lymphomas) Further Reading The Hematopathology site has a great, often times technical, discussion of B-cell lymphomas (updated link) Reference Sources National Cancer Institute The Hematopathology of Lymphoma - technical but full of very good information. Specific B-cell Lymphoma Information (updated links) Frontiers in Bioscience is a source of B-cell information e-medicene comprehensive page on b-cell lymphomas (new resource) Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma Information Pages: Non-Hodgkin's Lymphomas Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma: Diagnosis Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma: Aggressive Lymphomas Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma: Indolent Lymphomas Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma: Treatment Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma: Resources Childhood Lymphoma Information Pages: Childhood Lymphoma Childhood Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma Home - Gateway to Support and More The Lymphoma Information Network This page is a work in progress - if you have more complete information, references, or other information please contact the author. The author is not in the medical field and does not warrant the correctness of the material on this page or the sites linked - please take online information and consult with your own medical team to make informed decisions. Copyright � 1998-2005 Lymphoma Information Network - All Rights Reserved http://www.LymphomaInfo.net/ Updated October 22, 2005