The term lymphoma refers to cancer that develops in the lymphatic system, which includes lymph nodes, thymus, spleen, adenoids, tonsils and bone marrow.
The role of the lymphatic system is to fight the germs that cause infection and disease. Most adolescents with lymphoma have Hodgkin’s disease (cancer of the lymph tissue) or non-Hodgkin lymphoma (cancer of immune system cells that circulate in our bodies).
Hodgkin’s disease usually occurs in adolescents and young adults. May arise in lymph nodes in the neck, armpits, chest or other parts of the body. Lymph nodes were enlarged but are usually not painful.
Hodgkin’s disease is characterized by the presence of large abnormal cells, called Reed Sternberg cells are detected with a microscope after a biopsy (a procedure in which a doctor takes a small tissue sample for the presence of cells cancer). Chemotherapy and often radiation are used to treat Hodgkin’s disease.
The non-Hodgkin lymphoma is similar to leukemia (ALL) because both are characterized by the presence of malignant lymphocytes (white blood cells in the lymph nodes) and because they share many symptoms. Non-Hodgkin lymphoma treated with chemotherapy.
Most adolescents with Hodgkin’s disease or non-Hodgkin lymphoma and complete treatment a complete remission with no signs of the disease.
