Types of Lymphoma

Doctors are currently aware of many types of Lymphoma:

Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma
Hodgkin’s Lymphoma
Chronic Lymphocytic leukemia
Cutaneous B-cell lymphoma
Cutaneous T-cell Lymphoma
Waldenstrom Macroglobulinemia

Because these are two completely different types of Lymphoma, they have different growth rates. They also affect different lymphocyte cells in your lymph nodes and bloodstream differently. That is why doctors must formulate customized treatment plans for each individual.

Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma

If you develop Lymphoma, it will likely be this type since this is the most common type of Lymphoma. Statistically speaking, 95 percent of people who develop Lymphoma develop Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. The latest information from the National Cancer Institute (NCI) reveals that 4.2% of Americans who develop cancer will develop Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. Each person has a 2.2% chance of getting it. It can be categorized into many different sub-types, some of which are:

Large B-cell Lymphoma
Follicular Lymphoma

Hodgkin’s Lymphoma

This type of Lymphoma develops in and attacks your immune system. You have it if there are large quantities of Reed-Steinberg cells in your lymph nodes and bloodstream. These are B lymphocytes, which are much larger than normal ones. If you have this type of cancer, get treated soon because it metastasizes in the lymph nodes throughout your body quickly. Approximately .5% of people with the disease will develop Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, and you have a .2% chance of developing it if you live in America.

Interestingly enough, Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma has many of the same subtypes as Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. These include:

Large B-cell Lymphoma
Follicular Lymphoma

Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia

If you get this cancer, it will develop in your bone marrow. The best part is that it is slow-growing. However, the bad news is that it affects your lymphocytes, which are the cells that protect you from getting sick. Older Americans are especially vulnerable to Lymphoma

Cutaneous B-cell Lymphoma

Though rare, see a doctor immediately if you notice symptoms of this type of Lymphoma because it metastasizes quickly from your lymphatic system to your largest organ – your skin. Cutaneous B-cell Lymphoma has many sub-types which include:

Primary cutaneous follicle center Lymphoma
Central cutaneous marginal zone B-cell Lymphoma
Primary cutaneous diffuse large leg type B-cell Lymphoma
Intravascular diffuse large B-cell Lymphoma

Cutaneous T-cell Lymphoma

This type of cancer is scarce. People who develop it do so in a kind of white blood cell known as the T-Lymphocyte. These are vital because they form the part of the immune system that attacks the bacteria and viruses, which can make you sick or even kill you! When you develop Cutaneous T-cell Lymphoma, the DNA in your T-Lymphocyte cells will mutate and become abnormal. These cells divide rapidly and form tumors that will destroy and attack your skin.

You know you have cutaneous T-cell Lymphoma if you notice the following on the surface of your skin:

A red patch resembling a rash
Scaly round pieces that are slightly raised
Skin tumors

You can get one of many types of cutaneous T-cell Lymphoma:

Mycosis Fungicides – the kind most people develop. This is less severe since it grows very slowly
Sezary syndrome – this is rare. You will develop red patches all over your body

Waldenstrom Macroglobenumia

This type of Lymphoma is scarce. If you grow it, you will do so in your immune cells. It develops because your bone marrow produces many more immune cells than your body needs. With time, the DNA in the excess immune cells becomes abnormal, and these cells divide. The daughter cells then begin to increase, survive well in your body, and consume resources meant for your healthy immune cells. The healthy immune cells die, and you will become sicker more often. What is worse is that the surviving tumors of abnormal immune cells produce a specific type of protein that builds up in the blood and causes circulation and other issues. Because it is grouped in the non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma group, it is sometimes referred to as Lymphoplasmacytic Lymphoma.