Lymphoma

• Diverse group of cancers affecting the lymphatic system
• Caused by a genetic mutation in a lymphocyte which results in uncontrolled and excessive growth of lymphocytes producing tumour masses in nodes and other lymphoid organs
• Two types:

  1. Hodgkin's Lymphoma

  • common histological characteristic: Reed-Sternberg Cell
  • Less aggressive disease than Non-Hosgkin's, however more likely to reccur
  • Cause unknown
  • occurence: 3x more likely in individuals previously infected with Ebstein-Barr Virus

   

  2. Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma

  • Encompasses all other lymphomas (more aggressive)
  • either B-cell or T-cell cancers
  • Risk factors include:
    • history of infection
    • exposure to pesticides
    • fertilizers
    • solvents
    • immunosuppression (HIV patients, organ transplant patients)