The cancer of the lymphatic system is known as lymphoma. The lymphatic system is a part of the body’s disease-fighting or immune system.
The lymphatic system includes the lymph nodes, bone marrow, spleen, and thymus gland.
Types:
The two main types of lymphoma are:
1. Hodgkin’s lymphoma: This type of lymphoma usually occurs in the B lymphocytes. The abnormal cells are known as Reed-Sternberg cells, which are modified B lymphocytes. It starts in the upper body lymph nodes, like the neck, chest, and underarms. It spreads (metastasizes) to the different parts of the body through the blood vessels.
It can affect the lungs, liver, spleen, or bone marrow.
It is commonly seen in people who are approximately 40 years old.
2. Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma: It is the most common type of lymphoma. The healthy lymphocytes do not die, but instead, continue to grow and divide. This causes an increase in the accumulation of the lymphocytes in the lymph nodes, causing swelling of the lymph nodes. This type of lymphoma can originate from the B lymphocytes and the T lymphocytes. However, it is more common in the B cells. It can begin in any part of the body, and it spreads to distant parts of the body.
It is commonly seen in people above 55 years of age.
Causes:
The exact cause of lymphoma is unknown. Lymphoma begins when a lymphocyte (a type of white blood cell) develops genetic changes (mutations). These mutations cause the growth and multiplication of the diseased lymphocytes. The accumulation of these ineffective and diseased lymphocytes in the lymph nodes leads to the swelling of the lymph nodes, liver, and spleen.
Risk factors:
The factors that may increase the risk of developing lymphoma include:
A Bone Marrow Transplant entails the following risks: