Malignant Lymphoma
Malignant lymphoma is a cancer that starts in the lymphocytes, the white blood cells that form part of the body’s immune system. It can arise in lymph nodes, the spleen, bone marrow, or other lymphatic tissue anywhere in the body.
Key points
- Painless swelling can develop wherever lymphatic tissue is found, including lymph nodes, the spleen or the bone marrow.
- Hodgkin’s lymphoma carries a distinctive abnormal cell and tends to spread predictably node to node, while non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma is more common and far more varied.
- Swollen, painless lymph nodes, often in the neck or groin, plus fever, night sweats and unexplained weight loss can signal the disease.
- Chemotherapy regimens built around agents such as cyclophosphamide form the mainstay of treatment, often combined with radiotherapy or newer targeted biological drugs.
Hodgkin’s and non-Hodgkin’s types
Lymphoma falls into two broad families. Hodgkin’s lymphoma is characterised by a specific abnormal cell (the Reed-Sternberg cell) and tends to spread in a predictable pattern from node to node. Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma covers a wide range of subtypes and is far more common, accounting for the majority of lymphoma cases.
Common signs include painless swollen lymph nodes in the neck, armpit, or groin, along with fever, night sweats, unexplained weight loss, and persistent fatigue.
How lymphoma is treated
Treatment depends on the subtype and stage. Most regimens combine several medicines, the alkylating agent cyclophosphamide is a cornerstone of many standard protocols. Radiotherapy and targeted biological therapies are often added depending on the specific diagnosis.
Oncology support medicines cover a range of agents used alongside chemotherapy to manage side effects and support the body during treatment.
Anyone with persistently swollen lymph nodes or unexplained B-symptoms (fever, drenching night sweats, significant weight loss) should seek medical assessment promptly.