lymphoma ribbon | What is Hodgkin's lymphoma?

What is Hodgkin's lymphoma?



Hodgkin's lymphoma (LH) is a cancer that originates in cells called lymphocytes. Lymphocytes are white blood cells that are part of the lymphatic system.

The lymphatic system works together with other parts of your immune system to help your body defend against infections and diseases. It consists of a network of lymphatic vessels, lymph nodes and lymphatic organs. Lymphatic vessels carry lymph, which contains lymphocytes and other white blood cells as well as antibodies and nutrients. The lymph nodes, which are located along the lymph vessels, filter the lymph. Lymphatic organs include spleen, thymus, adenoids vegetation, tonsils and bone marrow.

Lymphocytes are formed in the bone marrow from base cells called stem cells. These can produce different types of cells that have separate functions. Lymphocytes are a kind of white blood cells that help fight infections. The main types of lymphocytes are:

B lymphocytes, or B cells, which produce antibodies to fight bacteria, viruses and other foreign substances such as fungi;

T lymphocytes, or T cells, which fight infections, destroy abnormal cells and control the immune response;

Natural killer cells, or NK cells, that attack abnormal or alien cells.

Lymphocytes sometimes undergo changes that make their mode of growth or their behavior abnormal. These abnormal cells can form tumors called lymphomas. LH usually originates in abnormal B lymphocytes called Hodgkin and Reed Sternberg cells, or HRS cells. These cells are much larger than normal lymphocytes and have a large nucleus or more than one nucleus.

According to the presence of HRS cells, Hodgkin lymphomas are divided into 2 main forms:

Classical LH: There is a presence of HRS cells. Classical LH forms include LH scléronodulaire, mixed-cellular LH, lymphocyte-rich LH, and lymphocyte-depleted LH.

Nodular LH predominantly lymphocytic: There are very few or no HRS cells.

Since lymphocytes are present throughout the lymphatic system, LH can appear almost anywhere in the body. It usually takes birth in a group of lymph nodes of a given region, most often in the thorax, neck or armpits. LH usually propagates in a predictable and orderly manner, or from a group of lymph nodes to the neighbouring group. Over time, it can spread to almost any body tissue or organ through the lymphatic system or blood circulation.

Other cancers of the lymphatic system are called non-Hodgkin lymphomas (NHL). The HRS cells of LH have a different appearance and behaviour than those of NHL cells. These two categories of lymphoma are treated differently.

The lymphatic systemHodgkin's lymphoma (LH) is a type of cancer that originates in the lymphatic system. The lymphatic system consists of a network of lymph, lymphocytes, lymphatics, lymph nodes and lymphatic organs. These organs are spleen, thymus, tonsils, adenoids vegetation and bone marrow. Lymphatic tissue is also found in other parts of the body, including the stomach, intestine and skin.

The organs and tissues of the lymphatic system produce and store cells that fight infections and diseases. The lymphatic system works in conjunction with the circulatory device (which brings together the heart and blood circulation) and other parts of the immune system to keep the body healthy.