Lymphoma is a cancer of the lymphatic system, which is made up of a series of lymph nodes and vessels that move the lymph fluid through the body. The fluids contain infection-fighting white blood cells and these nodes act as filters that capture and destroy bacteria and viruses to prevent infection from spreading. Lymphoma is characterized by early symptoms that include fatigue, cough, bone pain, enlarged spleen, fever, shortness of breath, night sweats, a rash in the skin folds, itchy rashes, stomach pain and weight loss.

More than 70 types of lymphomas have been classified by medical experts and they can affect any part of the lymphatic system including the tonsils, bone marrow, lymph nodes, spleen, and thymus. The different types of lymphoma have two main subtypes. These are as follows:

• Hodgkin’s Lymphoma: It is a cancer of the immune system and can be identified by the presence of Reed-Sternberg cells, which are abnormally large B lymphocytes. In patients affected with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, cancer usually moves from one lymph node to an adjacent one.
• Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma : This is a more common type accounting for more than 95% of cases. It typically develops from B and T lymphocytes in the lymph nodes. According to the National Cancer Institute (NCI), non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma accounts for 4.2% of all cancers in the United States, and a person’s lifetime risk of developing it is about 2.2%.

The actual causes of the different types of lymphoma are not known but several factors have been linked to the increased risk of developing the condition. These risk factors include:

• Age: The risk increases with advancing age. It is more visible in the elderly than in younger patients. In the 20-24-year age group, the incidence of the condition is 2.4 cases per 100,000 whereas, in the age group 60-64, it increases to 46 cases per 100,000.
• Infections: People with HIV, patients with EBV (Epstein-Barr Virus) infection, infection with hepatitis B and C and other bacterial infections.
• Medical conditions: Any medical condition that compromises the immune system such as HIV, autoimmune diseases, inherited immunodeficiency diseases, and use of other suppressive therapy.
• Exposure to toxic chemicals: Occupations that require you to work closely with hazardous or toxic chemicals such as pesticides, herbicides or benzene, and other solvents also lead to this condition. Other chemicals such as hair dye have also been linked to higher rates of lymphoma.
• Genetics: People with a family history of lymphoma are more prone to it.

There are no routine screenings for the different types of lymphoma and a person should immediately seek medical attention if they exhibit persistent viral symptoms. The doctor usually checks the person’s individual and family medical history to rule out other conditions. A physical examination is carried out, including an inspection of the abdomen and chin, neck, groin, and armpits, where swellings may occur. Doctors also look for signs of infection near the lymph nodes since this accounts for most cases of swelling.