What Is Lymphoma?

Lymphoma is a type of cancer that begins in lymphocytes — special white blood cells that are part of your body’s immune system. Healthy lymphocytes protect you from disease and the growth of tumors. There are two types of lymphocytes:

• B cells: B cells mature into plasma cells, which make antibodies that fight disease.
• T cells: There are several types of T cells, and each type has a different function. Some can directly destroy certain kinds of bacteria or cells infected with viruses or fungi. Other types of T cells can either boost or slow the activity of other immune system cells.

Lymphocytes are found in a clear, watery fluid called lymph, which flows into all tissues of your body through the lymphatic system. There are many parts to your lymphatic system:

• Lymph vessels: A network of thin tubes that collect lymph from different parts of your body and return it to the bloodstream.
• Lymph nodes: Small, bean-shaped organs that filter lymph and store the white blood cells that help fight infection and disease. Lymph nodes are located along the network of lymph vessels found throughout your body. Clusters of lymph nodes are found in your underarm, pelvis, neck, abdomen and groin. Swollen lymph nodes can be a sign of infection.
• Spleen: An organ that makes lymphocytes, filters the blood, stores blood cells and destroys old blood cells. It is located on the left side of your abdomen, near the stomach.
• Thymus: An organ in which lymphocytes grow and multiply. The thymus is in your chest, behind the breastbone.
• Tonsils: Two small masses of lymph tissue at the back of your throat. The tonsils produce lymphocytes.
• Bone marrow: The soft, spongy tissue in the center of your large bones. Bone marrow produces white blood cells, red blood cells and platelets.
• Liver: Your liver produces lymph.
• Blood: Lymph carries lymphocytes (white blood cells that fight infection) throughout your body.
• Skin: Skin contains lymphatic tissue.

Can lymphoma develop on the skin?

Types of lymphoma

Lymphomas are a group of different kinds of cancer. They behave differently, respond differently to treatment and have different prognoses. Although there are many subtypes (more than 90 in all), in general they can be divided into two groups — Hodgkin lymphoma (also known as Hodgkin disease) and non-Hodgkin lymphoma (nHL). In addition, a chronic form, called chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)/small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL) is treated by our nationally-recognized lymphoma team, which has extensive experience in identifying and treating all subtypes of the disease.

Hodgkin lymphomaNon-Hodgkin lymphoma Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)