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cancers begin in the lymphocytes, which are cells that are specialized to protect the body from infections and

illness. There are two main types of lymphocytes, being B and T cells that are both white blood cells a part of

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the immune system response. Normally, lymphocytes travel the body through the lymphatic system waiting
for the signals of an infection to combat. However, Lymphoma can occur when there is a buildup these

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lymphocytes in parts of the body such as the lymph nodes, lymph vessels, and in other organs. While there
are over 60 different subtypes of this disease, the two main categories are Hodgkin Lymphoma (HL) and Non-

Hodgkin Lymphoma (NHL). The major difference in these two categories is the fact that Hodgkin Lymphoma

forms in Reed-Sternberg cells, which are a type of mature B cells that are unusually large in size and have

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multiple nuclei, usually caused by the over proliferation of such B cells. On the other hand, Non- Hodgkin

Lymphoma is a group of cancers that can be caused by either the B or T cells, Reed-Sternberg cells are absent,

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and can have either a slow or quick progression. In fact, there are over 60 varieties of just Non- Hodgkin

Lymphoma. The symptoms of Lymphoma cancers include painless swelling of the lymph nodes, unexplained

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weight loss, fevers, and night sweats. To be diagnosed with a Lymphatic cancer, a biopsy must be done in

which a small piece of tissue from a lymph node is removed and examined using a microscope to identify the

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presence of B and T cells. Hodgkin Lymphoma is typically caught earlier than Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma,

which is more common to be diagnosed in a later, more advanced stage. 2

Above Image: The appearance of a
lymphocyte under a microscope.
http://www.scienceprofonline.com/i
mages/science-image-
library/microbiology/eukaryotic-
cells/lymphocyte-400xTM-
cropped.jpg

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