lymphomas

Lymphomas are cancers that develop from lymphocytes, a type of white blood cell involved in the immune system. They mainly arise in lymphatic tissues such as lymph nodes, the spleen, and the thymus, but can affect other organs as well. Lymphomas are broadly divided into Hodgkin lymphoma and non-Hodgkin lymphomas, a distinction based on cellular features and clinical behavior.

Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) is characterized by the presence of Reed-Sternberg cells. It typically presents with painless swelling of one or more lymph nodes, often in the neck or armpit, and may cause fever, night sweats, and weight loss. HL usually follows a relatively predictable pattern of spread and is subdivided by stage and risk factors.

Non-Hodgkin lymphomas (NHL) comprise a heterogeneous group of lymphoid cancers, most of which arise from B cells, with T-cell lymphomas also recognized. NHL subtypes range from indolent to highly aggressive and include diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, follicular lymphoma, mantle cell lymphoma, and many others. The behavior and treatment of NHL depend on the subtype and stage.

Diagnosis typically begins with a biopsy of a suspicious lymph node or affected tissue, followed by pathology, immunophenotyping, and sometimes molecular testing. Imaging (such as CT or PET-CT) and bone marrow examination are used for staging, commonly described by the Ann Arbor system.

Treatment varies by type and stage. HL is often treated with chemotherapy regimens such as ABVD, with radiation therapy in selected cases. NHL treatment may involve antibody-based therapies (for example, rituximab), chemotherapy regimens (such as R-CHOP), targeted therapies, immunotherapy, CAR T-cell therapy, and, in some cases, stem cell transplantation.

Prognosis depends on lymphoma subtype, stage at diagnosis, patient age, and overall health. HL generally has favorable cure rates, especially with early diagnosis, while NHL outcomes vary widely by subtype and aggressiveness.