Lymphoma is a type of cancer of the lymphatic system that develops in the infection-fighting cells of the body’s immune system, called lymphocytes. These cells are present in lymph nodes, spleen, thymus, bone marrow, and other parts of the body. In this condition, the lymphocytes change and grow out of control. Different types of lymphoma grow at different rates and require different forms of treatment.

The different types of lymphoma are non-Hodgkin’s and Hodgkin’s, with many subtypes under them.

Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma (NHL)
Of the different types of lymphoma, it is the most common one, which develops from B and T lymphocyte in the lymph nodes or tissues. The subtypes of NHL are:

• B-cell lymphoma is the most aggressive type of NHL. This is a fast-growing lymphoma and it comes from abnormal B cells in the blood.
• T-cell lymphoma is not as common as B-cell lymphoma.
• Burkitt’s lymphoma is a rare type of NHL, which is aggressive and common in people with a weak immune system.
• Follicular lymphoma starts in the white blood cells and is commonly found in the elderly.
• Mantle cell lymphoma is aggressive but a rare type of NHL. It is generally diagnosed at a later stage and usually affects the gastrointestinal tract or bone marrow.
• Primary mediastinal B cell lymphoma is a subtype of B-cell lymphoma and mainly affects women between the ages of 20-30 years.
• Small lymphocytic lymphoma is a slowly growing lymphoma and is mostly found in the lymph nodes.
• Lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma is a rare type of NHL and mostly affects older individuals. It causes an abnormal production of antibodies.

Hodgkin’s Lymphoma (HL)
It starts in the B-cells and usually moves from one lymph node to an adjacent one. The subtypes of HL are:

• Lymphocyte-depleted Hodgkin’s disease is a rare but aggressive type and mostly diagnosed in people in their 30s.
• Lymphocyte-rich Hodgkin’s disease is common in men and diagnosed at an early stage.
• Mixed cellularity Hodgkin’s lymphoma contains both lymphocytes and RS cells. Usually, it’s found in older men.
• Nodular lymphocyte-predominant Hodgkin’s disease is a rare kind of HL and is indicated by the absence of RS cells.
• Nodular sclerosis Hodgkin’s lymphoma is a common type of lymphoma, mostly found in adults.

The treatment for the condition depends on the different types of lymphoma and these are as follows:

• Biologic therapy uses drugs that stimulate the immune system to attack the cancer.
• Antibody therapy inserts synthetic antibodies into the bloodstream. These respond to the cancer’s toxins.
• Chemotherapy is an aggressive drug treatment used to target and kill cancer cells.
• Radioimmunotherapy delivers high powered radioactive doses directly into cancerous B cells and T-cells to destroy them.
• Radiation therapy uses concentrated doses of radiation to kill cancerous cells.
• Stem cell transplantation helps to restore damaged bone marrow following high dose chemotherapy or radiation therapy.
• Steroids may also be injected to treat lymphoma.