Will I survive if I’m diagnosed with lymphoma? What are the symptoms? How do I get tested, and what are the treatment options? What steps can I take to ensure early intervention?
These are common questions everyone asks when facing a possible lymphoma diagnosis. Maybe you’ve found a lump or swelling in the area of one of your lymph nodes and all signs point to lymphoma based on you Google searches. Your family doctor should always be your first stop, especially when you suspect the worst.
And for many, the notion of having lymphoma is the worst.
What is lymphoma?
When cancer cells (or tumors) form in the lymph system, an important part of the immune system, the disease is called lymphoma. It’s a type of cancer that affects the white blood cells known as lymphocytes. Cancerous cells damage these important immunity cells, causing health complications.
There are two types of lymphoma -- Hodgkin’s lymphoma and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
- Hodgkin’s lymphoma: This type of cancer strikes the body with an abnormal B-lymphocyte called Reed-Sternberg cells. This cancer is rare and affects only about three people per 100,000 in the population, according to the United States National Cancer Institute.
- Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma: This cancer affects the B-cells and T-cells in the immune system and is more frequently diagnosed than Hodgkin’s. The United States National Cancer Institute reports nearly 20 cases of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma per 100,000 people.