Lymphomas are a varied group of haematological malignancies that originate in lymphoid tissue. As with other cancers which arise from white blood cells, lymphomas are characterized by an overproduction of either B or T lymphocytes. These lymphocytes can clump together in any part of the lymphatic system (usually the lymph nodes) and form a lump.

The Lymphatic System
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Some patients with lymphoma present with swelling in their lymph nodes. In some it can cause pain but more often than not the lumps are painless. In Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) the swelling tends to be found in a single set of lymph nodes, whereas in non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) the disease may be more widespread. Other associated symptoms which occur in as many as a third of patients are fevers, night sweats, weight loss and itching - these are referred to as 'B symptoms'.

Hodgkin lymphoma (also known as Hodgkin disease) accounts for approximately 4.9% of all haematological malignancies with an estimated 1600 cases newly diagnosed in the UK each year. Whilst this is a disease which can affect people of any age it tends to be more common in young people around their 20s.

The main treatments for HL are chemotherapy, radiotherapy or a combination of the two. Treatment depends on the stage of disease, and on your symptoms.

Overall, non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) is the most common type of lymphoma diagnosed in the UK. There are many different forms of NHL, each affecting people in different ways. Low grade NHL is a slow-growing, stable disease that may remain undetected for long periods of time. By contrast, high grade NHL grows more quickly and usually requires early intervention and treatment.

T- Cell Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma

T-cell lymphoma accounts for approximately 1.9% of all haematological malignancies with an estimated 650 cases newly diagnosed in the UK each year. The individual disorders that make up this diagnostic group include peripheral T-cell lymphoma, mycosis fungoides, angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma.

B- Cell Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma

Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma (DLBCL)

Diffuse large B-Cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is a relatively common lymphoma which accounts for approximately 13% of all haematological malignancies with an estimated 4400 cases newly diagnosed in the UK each year. This is a high grade lymphoma that requires intensive treatment.

Marginal Zone Lymphoma

There are two main types of marginal zone lymphoma, mucosa associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) and systemic marginal zone lymphoma. Together they account for approximately 4.8% of all haematological malignancies with an estimated 1600 cases newly diagnosed in the UK each year. MALT is a low grade, slow growing lymphoma which can sometimes transform into high grade. It is an extranodal lymphoma which can be found in the stomach, thyroid gland, lungs, intestine or the eyes.

Follicular Lymphoma

Follicular lymphoma accounts for approximately 5.4% of all haematological malignancies with an estimated 1800 cases newly diagnosed in the UK each year. This is a slow growing lymphoma which may not require treatment.

Mantle Cell Lymphoma

Mantle cell lymphoma is a high grade lymphoma that, with an estimated 400 cases newly diagnosed in the UK each year, accounts for approximately 1.2% of all haematological malignancies.