About Lymphoma
There are more than 80 different subtypes of lymphoma and combined, they are the 6th most common cancer in Australia
What is lymphoma?
Lymphoma is a type of cancer that affects your blood cells called lymphocytes. Lymphocytes are a type of white blood cell that support our immune system by fighting infection and disease. They mostly live in our lymphatic system with only very few found in our blood. Because they live mostly in our lymphatic system, lymphoma often does not show up on blood tests.
Lymphoma includes 5 subtypes of Hodgkin Lymphoma, more than 70 subtypes of Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma and Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL), with CLL being considered the same disease as Small Lymphocytic Lymphoma.
The what
Your lymphocytes a type of white blood cell that are a big part of your immune system. They remember infections you had in the past so they can fight them quickly if you get the same infection again. You have different types of lymphocytes including:Â
- B-cells, which make antibodies to fight infection.
- T-cells that can fight infection directly and recruit other immune cells.
- NK cells – a specialised type of T-cell.
The where
Unlike your other blood cells, lymphocytes usually live in your lymphatic system rather than in your blood stream. However they can travel to any part of your body to fight infection.Â
Lymphoma usually starts in your lymphatic system, but occasionally can start in other parts of your body.
The how
Because your lymphocytes fight infection and disease, they are part of your immune system. When they become cancerous lymphoma cells, you are unable to fight infection as easily.
This affects your immune systems ability to keep you healthy and free from infections and disease.
