Lymphoma

Lymphoma originates in lymphocytes, a type of white blood cell that plays a central role in immune defense. When lymphocytes undergo malignant changes and begin to multiply abnormally, they can accumulate in lymph nodes and other lymphatic tissue, causing the characteristic swelling associated with this cancer. Because the lymphatic system reaches throughout the body, lymphoma can arise in many locations and is considered a systemic disease from the outset.

Lymphoma falls into two broad categories. Hodgkin lymphoma (formerly called Hodgkin's disease) involves a specific abnormal cell type — the Reed-Sternberg cell — and tends to follow a more predictable pattern of spread through lymph node chains. It affects people most often in early adulthood and again in older age, and it has very high cure rates, especially when diagnosed early. Non-Hodgkin lymphoma is a broader and more diverse category encompassing more than 60 distinct subtypes that vary widely in how aggressive they are and how they respond to treatment. Some non-Hodgkin lymphomas are slow-growing (indolent) and may be managed with watchful waiting for years; others are fast-growing and require prompt, intensive treatment.

Diagnosis of lymphoma involves physical exam, blood work, imaging, and a lymph node biopsy to identify the specific type. Staging determines how widespread the disease is. Treatment depends on the type and stage and may include chemotherapy, radiation therapy, immunotherapy, targeted therapy, or stem cell transplant. Outcomes have improved dramatically in recent decades, particularly for Hodgkin lymphoma and several common non-Hodgkin subtypes.

Lymphoma is one of the cancers that primarily affects people in their younger and middle adult years, and its symptoms — swollen lymph nodes, fatigue, night sweats, unexplained weight loss — can be easy to attribute to other causes, sometimes delaying diagnosis. Knowing that persistent, painless lymph node swelling warrants a conversation with your doctor is important, even if most such swelling turns out to be due to infection.

For women specifically, awareness of lymphoma also matters in the context of breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma (BIA-ALCL), a rare form of T-cell lymphoma linked to textured breast implants. While BIA-ALCL is uncommon, women with textured implants should be aware of the signs — particularly a sudden change in the shape or size of one breast due to fluid accumulation — and report any such changes to their provider. As with all lymphoma types, early detection and accurate diagnosis are the foundation of effective treatment.