Lymphoma is a
cancer of the
lymphocytes, a type of cell that forms part of the
immune system. Typically, lymphoma is present as a solid
tumor of lymphoid cells. Treatment might involve
chemotherapy and in some cases
radiotherapy and/or
bone marrow transplantation, and can be curable depending on the histology, type, and stage of the disease.
These malignant cells often originate in
lymph nodes, presenting as an enlargement of the node. It can also affect other organs in which case it is referred to as extranodal lymphoma. Extranodal sites include the skin, brain, bowels and bone. Lymphomas are closely related to
lymphoid leukemias, which also originate in lymphocytes but typically involve only circulating blood and the
bone marrow and do not usually form static tumors.
There are many types of lymphomas, and in turn, lymphomas are a part of the broad group of diseases called
hematological neoplasms.