The lymphatic system is made up of lymph, lymphatic vessels, lymph nodes, bone marrow, spleen, and liver. Lymph is the fluid that circulates in the lymphatic system and travels through the body through the lymphatic vessels. The fluid contains lymphocytes, produced by the bone marrow and spleen, that fight pathogens. These cells filter the blood and collect microorganisms within the lymph nodes. You will notice that during infections, you will have a palpable nodule on your neck, under your arms, breasts, and groin. When pathogens are overwhelmed, the toxins and byproducts produced by these cells are filtered into the liver for removal.

In lymphoma cancer, the problem lies in the lymphocytes, specifically B lymphocytes and T lymphocytes. Hodgkin’s lymphoma is a type of lymphoma cancer where B lymphocytes have the presence of Reed-Sternberg cells under morphological studies . Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, on the other hand, is a type of lymphoma that occurs without the presence of Reed-Sternberg cells. The malignant cells increase in number and size, resulting in a buildup of cells within a lymph node. The lymph node formed will be rubbery, painless and shows no signs of going away. Lymphoma cancer is also seen with night sweats, unexplained weight loss, and unexplained fever. There are patients diagnosed with lymphoma but still live for more than 5 to 10 years, making this one of the most curable forms of cancer known to man. Tumor biopsy is the definitive way to diagnose lymphoma. Imaging tests such as X-rays, CT scans, and MRIs are done along with blood tests to classify the severity of lymphoma cancer.

Lymphoma cancer treatment may be a form or combination of radiation therapy and chemotherapy. Radiotherapy is performed during the initial stage and is applied only to a local area where the malignancy is observed. When the malignancy has spread to adjacent and distal parts of the body, chemotherapy is used along with immunostimulants and corticosteroids such as prednisone. Lymphoma survival largely depends on the stage at which the lymphoma was diagnosed and the application of appropriate treatment. Always keep your regular checkup to see if your treatment is right for you and to monitor how your lymphoma cancer is progressing.