Lymphoma

This is a cancer of the lymph system. This network of vessels includes your lymph nodes, spleen, and thymus gland. The vessels store and carry white blood cells to help your body fight infections.

Lymphomas start in white blood cells called lymphocytes. There are two main types of lymphoma:

• • Hodgkin's lymphoma starts in immune cells called B lymphocytes, or B cells. These cells make proteins called antibodies that fight off germs. People with Hodgkin's lymphoma have large lymphocytes called Reed-Sternberg cells in their lymph nodes.
• • Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma starts in B cells or in another type of immune cell called a T cell. Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma is more common than Hodgkin's lymphoma.

Both types are divided into a few subtypes. The subtypes are based on where in the body the cancer started and how it behaves.