There are two types of Lymhpoma- Hodgkin Lymphoma and Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma.
Hodgkin lymphoma is a relatively rare type of lymphoma first identified in the 1830s by the English doctor Thomas Hodgkin. After the development of the microscope (in the late 19th and early 20th centuries) two scientist called Reed and Sternberg studied tissue samples of people with Hodgkin's lymphoma and found a particular type of cell was always present. This cell - now called the Reed-Sternberg cell - is larger than other lymphocytes and is described as a "mirror cell" because it looks like a cell joining to its mirror image. It is the presence of Reed-Sternberg cells that distinguishes Hodgkin's lymphoma from other types of lymphomas.
Whilst NHL refers to a wide range of illnesses that all behave in slightly different ways, Hodgkin's lymphoma is more distinct and more predictable in its behaviour. Compared to NHL, Hodgkin's lymphoma looks different when viewed under the microscope, responds to different treatments and is generally easier to successfully treat.
In Australia, approximately 400 people are diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma each year. It is a rare disease, accounting for 0.5% of all cancer types diagnosed.
Hodgkin lymphoma can occur in various age groups. In developed countries, it is most likely to occur:
Hodgkin lymphoma is slightly more likely to occur in people who have had glandular fever and those with a relative who has had Hodgkin Lymphoma. This does not mean that another family member will definitely get the disease, but rather that other family members have a slightly higher risk of getting Hodgkin Lymphoma compared to the general population.
Currently, it is not known how Hodgkin's lymphoma develops and research continues to investigate the cause of the disease. However it is thought that the malignant (cancer) cells grow due to an abnormal immune response from a past infection e.g. the Epstein Barr virus which causes glandular fever. Other people who develop Hodgkin lymphoma may have a genetic tendency to abnormal immune responses.
What is known is that Hodgkin lymphoma is not contagious - you cannot "catch it" from someone nor can you give it to someone else. There is no evidence to suggest that anything you have done or not done (such as lifestyle choices) will cause the development of Hodgkin lymphoma.
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Non-Hodgkin lymphoma is a complex disease that is relatively little known by the general public, despite its growing prevalence worldwide. Yet various treatments are available with the potential to relieve symptoms of the disease for extended periods of time or, for certain types of NHL, to offer the possibility of a cure. How common is NHL?In the past 20 years the number of people diagnosed with NHL has doubled. In Australia there are now nearly 4000 people diagnosed with NHL each year. NHL represents the fifth most common malignancy diagnosed in men and the sixth most common in women, with the incidence being approximately 39% higher in men. What are the risk factors for NHL?Despite being one of the fastest growing cancers in the western world, the cause of NHL is still unknown. People with the following risk factors may have an increased chance of developing NHL:
It is not known with certainty that NHL can be inherited through family history. It is also important to note that having these risk factors does not mean NHL will definitely develop. Many people diagnosed with NHL have absolutely no risk factors. How does NHL develop?NHL can begin in any lymph node or lymph tissue found throughout the body. Tumours may involve just one lymph node or several lymph nodes at the same time. Since lymphocytes move throughout the body through either the bloodstream or more commonly the lymphatic system, any abnormal lymphocyte has a clear path to travel all through the body. This is why NHL can start in or spread to any part of the body. It is for this reason that many people have widespread disease at the time of diagnosis. As mentioned, NHL is the name given to a group of closely related cancers, each of which has its own unique symptoms. However, the following table lists common symptoms experienced in many types of NHL:
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