Lymphoma is a type of malignant tumor in the lymphatic system, which is part of the immune system. The lymphatic system is a network spread throughout the body that helps fight off diseases. Lymphoma originates from lymphocytes, a type of white blood cell.
There are many types of lymphoma. One category is called Hodgkin lymphoma, while all others are classified as non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Non-Hodgkin lymphoma is more common, occurring five times more frequently than Hodgkin lymphoma. The main difference between them lies in the type of affected lymphocyte. A pathologist can distinguish between the two by examining cells under a microscope. If a specific type of abnormal cell called a Reed-Sternberg cell is observed, it is classified as Hodgkin lymphoma; if not, it is non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Correctly distinguishing between the two is crucial because they require different treatments.