Lymphoma is a type of cancer that mainly affects the lymphatic system. It starts by infecting the lymphocytes, which are the cells that fight infections in the immune system. Lymphoma leads to change and overgrowth of the lymphocyte cells which are a type of white blood cells. It mainly starts in the white blood cells and then spreads to other parts of the body. The occurrence of Lymphoma can be at any age, but it commonly occurs to people between the ages of 15- and 24-years old. Although lymphoma is not preventable, it is treatable and survival rates are good if treatment begins in the early stages.

These are the main risk factors associated with lymphoma:

• Age: Some types of lymphoma are more common to young adults, and some are commonly diagnosed in people above the age of 25-years old.
• Gender: Males are more likely to get lymphoma as compared to female. The male gender is at a high risk of getting this cancer although other types of lymphoma are common to women.
• Weak or impaired immune system: Having diseases that weaken the immune systems puts an individual at a high risk of getting lymphoma. This is especially to people who use drugs that reduce their immune systems or were born having diseases of the immune system.
• Developing several infections: Some infections are closely linked to lymphoma. These are for instance Hepatitis C.
• Genetics: Having a close relative who once suffered lymphoma is also a risk factor.
• Exposure to chemicals: particularly those that help in eliminating weeds and bugs.
• Radiation: Patients who’ve underwent radiation during cancer treatment are at higher risk of lymphoma.
• Previous lymphoma diagnosis: Having received treatment for Hodgkin or non-Hodgkin lymphoma previously puts patients at increased risk.

The main types of lymphoma include:

1. Hodgkin’s Lymphoma
Presence of this cancer is noted by one having Reed-Sternberg cells, which are abnormal. It can affect both children and adults. The main signs and symptoms of Hodgkin include having some swells on lymph nodes that are painless, consistent fatigue, fever, profuse sweating at night, weight loss and also intense itching.

2. Non-hodgkin’s lymphoma
This cancer is characterized by the development of tumors in the lymphocytes. It is more common as compared to Hodgkin Lymphoma. Most common signs include pain in the abdomen, trouble while breathing, persistent fatigue, and fever and also increased the loss of weight.

3. B- cell lymphoma (DLBCL)
This is the most common type of Lymphoma. B-cell Lymphoma DLBCL is quite critical but when treated on time quite a large number of patients get completely cured. Half percentage of the people who suffer from stage four of B-cell lymphoma DLBCL are likely to survive for up to five years.

4. Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)
This is a common type of leukemia that mainly affects adults. It starts in the lymphocytes that are in the bone marrow. In CLL the building of the cells is quite slow. With time the cells grow and easily extend to other parts of the body. The cancer cells are mainly in the bone marrow and the blood. There are various forms of CLL whereby one type slowly grows, and a patient may take a longer time before getting treatment. The other way the cells grow much, and it is a fatal disease.

5. Mantle cell lymphoma (MCL)
This is a type of non-hodgkin’s lymphoma. Mantle Cell Lymphoma occurs when there is a production of abnormal lymphoma cells in the body. By the time one is getting a diagnosis for Mantle Cell Lymphoma MCL it usually has already spread to other parts of the body. There is no sure cure for Mantle Cell Lymphoma MCL, but there is a guarantee for treatment and support which can help you to live better and longer.