Lymphoma

Lymphoma is a form of cancer that affects the immune system – specifically, it is a cancer of immune cells called lymphocytes, a type of white blood cell. There are two broad types of lymphoma (Non-Hodgkin’s and Hodgkin’s) and many subtypes.

In non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, B-cells and T-cells are affected – both being types of lymphocyte white blood cell with special roles in immunity.

In Hodgkin’s lymphoma, the Cancer cells are usually an abnormal type of B lymphocyte, named Reed-Sternberg cells. There are many subtypes of Hodgkin’s lymphoma, typed by differences seen under the microscope – but a very high percentage of cases are classed as classic Hodgkin’s.

In 2020, 10 400 new cases of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma are expected in Canada and an estimated 2900 Canadians will die from the disease (Canadian Cancer Statistics, 2020).


More Information

Canadian Lymphoma Organizations

International Lymphoma Organizations

Lymphoma (Hodgkin’s and Non-Hodgkin’s) Blogs

Lymphoma Stories