Review: Introduction to Lymphoma

Here is what we have learned from Introduction to Lymphoma:

• Lymphoma consists of two main groups of lymphatic disease: Hodgkin lymphoma and the non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL).
• Hodgkin lymphoma tends to spread in a fairly orderly way from one group of lymph nodes to the next group.
• Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma can spread to almost any part of the body, including the liver, bone marrow, and spleen.
• People at risk of developing lymphatic disease include those who have inherited immune deficiency disease, autoimmune disease; and HIV and age and sex are also risk factors.
• "B" symptoms for Hodgkin lymphoma include persistent, painless swelling of lymph nodes, and unexplained fevers, tiredness, night sweats, weight loss, and itching.
• There are many forms of NHL involving different organs; signs and symptoms vary, often depending on the areas of the body or systems affected.
• Favorable prognostic factors for malignant lymphomas include early diagnosis, young age, and long remission.
• Prognostic factors for Hodgkin lymphoma include cell type and presence or absence of "B" symptoms.
• Prognostic factors for non-Hodgkin lymphoma include cell type, B symptoms, mass size, age, and extranodal involvement.