What is Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma (Adult)?
Lymphomas are cancers of the lymphatic system. The lymphatic system drains excess fluid from the tissues. It also helps protect against infections.
Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma is a general name. It applies to many types of lymphomas. There are several different types of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. They are based on the cell type that is involved and the patterns of growth. Treatment will vary according to type.
In general, these different types can be divided into two main groups:
- Indolent (or slow growing) lymphomas
- Aggressive lymphomas
These cancers are different from
Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
Cancer occurs when cells in the body divide out of control or order. If cells keep dividing, a mass of tissue forms. These are called growths or tumors. If the tumor is malignant, it is cancer. They can invade nearby tissue and spread to other parts of the body.