What is Lymphoma
December 2nd, 2008 | by Clare |
Whenever the word cancer is mentioned, our minds instantly associate it with one of the worst types of diseases people can be diagnosed with. There are many types of cancers. Some cancers start in the lymphatic system like lymphoma. There are actually two types of lymphoma: Hodgkin’s lymphoma and non-hodgkin’s lymphoma.
The lymph nodes, lymphocyte cells, spleen, tonsils and adenoids and the bone marrow of the long bones and thymus all make up the lymphatic system
Other cancers can also start within the lymph nodes such as breast cancer. However breast cancer symptoms are not the same as lymphoma blood cancers.
Lymphoma is the most common of blood cancers and it affects over 50% of the patients with blood cancer. Because lymphoma and leukemia are both blood cancers, many people think they are one in the same disease. They are not.
Hodgkin’s lymphoma is named after Thomas Hodgkin. Mr. Hodgkin discovered this disease in 1832. There are two types of lymphoma named after Thomas Hodgkin. Hodgkin’s and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
Lymphoma begins when the white blood cells, called lymphocytes, progressively multiply as a result of malignant changes within the lymph nodes and other areas in the body. As they start to increase in number, they push out the healthy cells. This is what leads to the formation of tumors in the lymph nodes. Other areas affected can be the spleen and thymus and so forth.
It is not only within the lymph nodes that the lymphoma can start. It can also begin within the lymphatic tissues located in the intestines and or stomach. infected cells can move throughout many different areas of the body In the United States, statistically lymphoma in men is the sixth most common cancer and it affects women almost as much. For women it is the fifth most common cancer.
There are two major types of Leukemia: myelogenous and lymphocytic. There are acute and chronic forms of each of these types. Although a great deal of information can be found both on-line and offline about lymphoma, it is always best to seek out medical care if you have any suspicious symptoms. Sadly, there are many different types of cancers. There are several types that affect the blood. Blood cancers that in the bone marrow are not to be confused with bone cancer.
It is always best for anyone that may suspect they have some type of health issues, regardless of the type, to discuss it with their doctor.