Lymphoma is a type of cancer that affects the lymphatic system, which is part of the body’s immune system. There are two main categories of lymphoma: Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) and non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). Each category includes several subtypes. Here are the main types of lymphoma:
Hodgkin Lymphoma (HL):
Classical Hodgkin Lymphoma: This is the most common type of HL. It is characterized by the presence of Reed-Sternberg cells, large abnormal cells that are typically surrounded by a reactive background of lymphocytes, eosinophils, and other immune cells. Subtypes of classical Hodgkin lymphoma include:
- Nodular sclerosis Hodgkin lymphoma
- Mixed cellularity Hodgkin lymphoma
- Lymphocyte-rich Hodgkin lymphoma
- Lymphocyte-depleted Hodgkin lymphoma
Nodular Lymphocyte-Predominant Hodgkin Lymphoma: This subtype of HL is characterized by the presence of lymphocyte-predominant cells known as popcorn cells. It accounts for a smaller percentage of HL cases compared to classical HL.
Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma (NHL):
B-cell Lymphomas: B-cell lymphomas originate from B lymphocytes, which are a type of white blood cell involved in the immune response. Subtypes of B-cell NHL include:
- Diffuse Large B-cell Lymphoma (DLBCL)
- Follicular Lymphoma
- Mantle Cell Lymphoma
- Marginal Zone Lymphoma
- Burkitt Lymphoma
- Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia/Small Lymphocytic Lymphoma (CLL/SLL)
- Waldenström Macroglobulinemia
T-cell Lymphomas: T-cell lymphomas originate from T lymphocytes, another type of white blood cell involved in the immune response. Subtypes of T-cell NHL include:
- Peripheral T-cell Lymphoma, Not Otherwise Specified (PTCL-NOS)
- Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma (ALCL)
- Cutaneous T-cell Lymphoma (including Mycosis Fungoides and Sézary Syndrome)
- Angioimmunoblastic T-cell Lymphoma (AITL)
- Extranodal NK/T-cell Lymphoma, Nasal Type