This week is Lymphatic Cancer Awareness Week. In this blog, one of our editors Sadie takes you through some key facts about lymphoma and its two main types. She covers risk factors, symptoms and where to find more information and support.
Lymphatic cancer, or lymphoma, is cancer of the lymphatic system. There are many different types of lymphoma. These are divided into two main types:
What is lymphoma?
In lymphoma, blood cells called lymphocytes become abnormal. These abnormal cells (lymphoma cells) keep dividing and grow out of the body’s control. Over time, they form a lump (tumour). The most common place for this to happen is in the lymph nodes. There are groups of lymph nodes throughout the body, including in the:
It’s only possible to tell the difference between Hodgkin lymphoma and non-Hodgkin lymphoma when the cells are looked at under a microscope.
Lymphoma can occur at any age. Each year in the UK, around 11,500 people are diagnosed with NHL. It’s the fifth most common cancer in the UK. Around 1,700 people are diagnosed with HL – about one in five (20%) of all lymphomas diagnosed.
In the below video, Consultant Haematologist Antony Goldstone gives more information about HL and NHL, how they develop, symptoms and treatment:
What are the causes and risk factors for HL and NHL?
For most people with lymphoma, a cause is never found. But there are some factors that are thought to increase the risk of developing it. These include:
We have more information on our website about the potential causes and risk factors for HL and NHL.
What are the signs and symptoms of HL and NHL?
The most common early symptom of HL and NHL is a swelling in the lymph nodes in one area of the body, such as the neck, armpit or groin. These swellings are normally painless, but some people may find that they ache.
Other symptoms may include:
If HL or NHL spreads to the bone marrow, it can cause symptoms associated with a reduced number of blood cells. These symptoms may include:
If you have any of these symptoms, it’s important to get checked by your family doctor (GP). But remember that they are common to other conditions too, and most people with these symptoms will not have lymphoma.
Where can I get further information and support?
You can read more about the two main types of lymphoma in our booklets Understanding Hodgkin lymphoma and Understanding non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
We also have information about lymphoma on our website.
You can call our cancer support specialists on 0808 808 00 00, or you can visit our Online Community to talk to people affected by lymphoma.
There are also other organisations that can provide information and support to people affected by lymphatic cancer:
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