There are over 60 different types of lymphoma, and all of them require various forms of treatment depending on how they behave. Some types tend to affect children more than adults. However, all the different types of lymphoma can be classified into two major categories, namely Hodgkin’s lymphoma and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. The difference between the two is the absence of the Reed-Sternberg cells, which are large cancerous cells in patients with the latter condition.
The different types of lymphoma
Non -Hodgkin’s lymphoma: According to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, this is a very common form of the condition. It can affect the B-cells or T-cells of the immune system. Some of the forms of lymphoma that fall in this category are:
- B-cell lymphoma: This is an aggressive fast-growing lymphoma that occurs in the B-cells in the blood. It can be cured if treated but if left untreated it can be fatal.
- T-cell lymphoma: This type accounts for 15% of all NHL cases. There are various forms of this condition.
- Burkitt’s lymphoma: This is a very rare form of NHL and affects people with a weakened or compromised immune system. It is quite common among children in sub-Saharan Africa, however, it does occur in other parts of the world too.
- Follicular lymphoma: Of the different types of lymphoma, 1 in 5 that are diagnosed in the United States is of this form. It is common in older adults with the average age of diagnosis being 60 years. It is slow-growing cancer that starts in the white blood cells.
Hodgkin’s lymphoma: This form of lymphoma starts in the B-cells or the Reed-Sternberg cells of the immune system. The various forms of this condition are:
- Lymphocyte-depleted Hodgkin’s disease: This is a rare and aggressive form of the disease that accounts for 1% of lymphoma cases. It is mostly diagnosed in people in their 30s and affects those with a weakened immune system, such as those with HIV.
- Lymphocyte-rich Hodgkin’s disease: This type of lymphoma is more common in men than women. It accounts for 5% of Hodgkin’s cases and is can be detected in the early stages through diagnostic tests.
- Mixed cellularity Hodgkin’s lymphoma: Older adult males are more prone to this form of lymphoma. It is quite common with a quarter of all Hodgkin’s lymphoma cases diagnosed being of this type.
- Nodular lymphocyte-predominant Hodgkin’s disease: Of the different types of lymphoma, this is another one that mostly affects men; the average age of diagnosis is 30-50 years. In very rare cases does this type of lymphoma transform into an aggressive form of NHL.
- Nodular sclerosis Hodgkin’s lymphoma: This is the most common type, which makes up 70% of all Hodgkin’s lymphoma cases diagnosed. It occurs in the lymph nodes that have scar tissue or sclerosis. It is curable with a high success rate of treatment.
As with all conditions, lymphoma have a better chance of treatment if diagnosed and detected in the early stages.
