Overview
What Is Lymphoma?
Lymphoma is a cancer that starts in lymphocytes, a type of white blood cell in the lymphatic system. This system includes lymph vessels, lymph nodes, the spleen, and other immune tissues that help protect the body from infection. The two broad categories are Hodgkin lymphoma and non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Together, these diseases include many subtypes that can affect children and adults.
Symptoms
Lymphoma Symptoms
Lymphoma symptoms vary according to the subtype and the parts of the body involved. Common lymphoma symptoms can also occur with infections or other health conditions, so symptoms alone cannot confirm a diagnosis. A persistent or unexplained pattern of symptoms should be assessed by a healthcare professional.
- Painless swelling of one or more lymph nodes, often in the neck, armpit, or groin, may occur.
- Unexplained fever can be a symptom of lymphoma or many other conditions.
- Drenching night sweats that soak clothing or bedding may occur.
- Unexplained weight loss may happen without changes in diet or activity.
- Persistent fatigue can occur even after adequate rest.
- Itching without an obvious skin cause may develop.
- Recurrent or unusual infections may occur when immune function is affected.
- Cough, chest discomfort, or breathlessness may occur if enlarged nodes press on the airways or lungs.
- A feeling of abdominal fullness may result from an enlarged spleen or lymph nodes.
When to get checked
Persistent symptoms deserve medical attention
Arrange a medical assessment if a swollen lymph node persists, enlarges, feels unusual, or occurs with several other unexplained symptoms. Most swollen lymph nodes are not caused by lymphoma, but persistent or multiple changes should not be ignored.
Causes
What Causes Lymphoma?
Lymphoma begins when acquired or inherited genetic changes alter the normal behavior of lymphocytes. The affected cells may survive longer than they should or multiply abnormally, allowing them to build up in lymph nodes or other tissues. The exact combination of changes differs among lymphoma subtypes, including non-Hodgkin lymphoma and follicular lymphoma.
Why the exact cause is often unknown
For many people, doctors cannot identify one specific event or exposure that caused the disease. Lymphoma is not caused by ordinary contact with another person, and having a risk factor does not mean someone will develop it. Risk factors describe associations that may increase likelihood, not a certain cause.
Risk Factors
Lymphoma Risk Factors
- Risk generally changes with age, although different lymphoma subtypes are more common at different ages.
- Sex may influence the likelihood of particular lymphoma subtypes.
- A family history of lymphoma may be associated with a higher risk.
- A previous lymphoma can increase the chance of developing another lymphoma.
- Some inherited or acquired immune conditions may affect lymphoma risk.
- Medicines or treatments that suppress the immune system may be associated with lymphoma risk.
- Some autoimmune diseases are linked with a higher risk of certain lymphomas.
- Certain infections, including some viral or bacterial infections, are associated with particular subtypes.
- Some chemical or radiation exposures may be associated with lymphoma, depending on the type and extent of exposure.
Side Effects & Complications
Lymphoma Complications and Treatment Side Effects
Possible complications
Lymphoma can sometimes cause low blood counts, which may contribute to anemia, bleeding, or infection risk. Enlarged lymph nodes or other lymphoma deposits may press on organs or tissues, and some lymphomas can involve areas outside the lymph nodes. Treatment side effects depend on the medicines and procedures used and may include fatigue, nausea, hair loss, immune effects, fertility effects, and delayed complications after treatment such as radiation or stem cell transplantation.
During treatment
Know when to contact your care team
If you are receiving lymphoma treatment, contact your oncology team promptly for a fever, breathing difficulty, uncontrolled bleeding, severe dehydration, or sudden neurological changes. Follow the emergency instructions provided by your treatment center.
Diagnosis & Staging
How Lymphoma Is Diagnosed and Staged
Evaluation usually starts with a medical history and physical examination, including a check for enlarged lymph nodes or an enlarged spleen. Blood tests can assess blood-cell levels and other signs of illness, while imaging such as CT or PET scans shows where disease may be present. A lymph node or other tissue biopsy is usually needed to confirm lymphoma and identify its biological features.
Why pathology and staging matter
Pathology testing examines the biopsy to determine whether the disease is Hodgkin lymphoma or non-Hodgkin lymphoma and to identify its specific subtype. Staging describes how widely the lymphoma has spread and helps guide treatment planning. Staging systems and additional prognostic scores can vary by subtype.
| Stage | General meaning |
|---|---|
| I | Limited involvement in one lymph node region or one site. |
| II | Involvement of multiple lymph node regions on the same side of the diaphragm or a nearby site. |
| III | Lymph node regions on both sides of the diaphragm or related spleen involvement. |
| IV | Spread to one or more organs outside the lymphatic system, such as bone marrow, liver, or lungs. |
Treatment Options
Lymphoma Treatment Options
Lymphoma treatment depends on the subtype, stage, growth rate, symptoms, previous treatment, overall health, and personal preferences. Some people need immediate treatment, while selected people with slow-growing disease may be monitored before treatment begins. The oncology team uses these factors to develop an individualized lymphoma treatment plan.
MONITORING AND MEDICINES
Active monitoring, sometimes called observation, may be appropriate for selected indolent lymphomas that are not causing significant problems. Drug-based treatments can include chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and targeted therapy, chosen according to the lymphoma’s biology and treatment goals.
RADIATION AND CELLULAR THERAPIES
Radiation therapy may treat lymphoma in a specific area or support another treatment approach. Cellular therapies or stem cell transplantation may be considered in selected situations, such as disease that returns or does not respond adequately to earlier treatment; clinical trials may offer access to investigational approaches.
Outlook and Prognosis
Lymphoma Outlook and Prognosis
The outlook for lymphoma varies widely. Some lymphomas are often curable, some can be controlled for many years, and others require ongoing or repeated treatment. Remission does not always mean the same thing for every subtype, and lymphoma can sometimes return after treatment.
- The lymphoma subtype is one of the most important factors in estimating outlook.
- Stage helps show how far the disease has spread when it is diagnosed.
- Growth rate distinguishes more indolent lymphomas from more aggressive forms.
- Symptoms and areas of organ involvement may affect treatment response and prognosis.
- The response to initial and later treatment provides important information about outlook.
- Age and overall health can influence treatment choices and recovery.
- Specific laboratory or molecular findings may provide additional prognostic information.
Your outlook
Prognosis is personal
Ask your hematology-oncology team for an individualized explanation of expected outcomes, remission, and recurrence risk. Population statistics describe groups of people and cannot predict exactly what will happen to one person.
Survivorship & Follow-up
Lymphoma Survivorship and Follow-Up
Follow-up schedules differ according to the lymphoma subtype, treatment received, remission status, and individual risks. Visits may include a physical examination, blood tests, imaging when appropriate, and a review of new or ongoing symptoms. Your care team can also monitor for late effects and help coordinate general preventive care.
- Report new or persistent symptoms that could suggest recurrence or another health problem.
- Ask whether treatment may affect the heart or lungs over time.
- Discuss fertility, pregnancy planning, or hormone-related concerns when relevant.
- Follow recommendations for screening for second cancers.
- Review vaccinations and ways to prevent infections with your care team.
- Address ongoing fatigue, neuropathy, sleep problems, or other treatment effects.
- Seek support for anxiety, depression, grief, or other mental health concerns.
- Discuss a gradual and supported return to work or usual activities.
Branches
2 topics
Lymphoma
Hematology
Lymphoma
Medical Oncology
