Word parts
What it means
Lymphomas are cancers of the lymphatic system. Hodgkin lymphoma, named after Thomas Hodgkin, the English doctor who described it, has a typical cell seen under the microscope; all other lymphomas are called non-Hodgkin. There are many types, some slow-growing and some fast. They often begin in lymph nodes but can start in other organs. Treatment may include chemotherapy, immunotherapy and radiation.
For the nurse
Clients on treatment are at high risk of infection: teach hand hygiene, avoiding sick contacts, and reporting a fever right away.
At a glance
| Spanish | linfoma no Hodgkin |
|---|---|
| Also written | Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, NHL |
Related terms
lymph node
A small, bean-shaped organ of the immune system that filters lymph fluid and holds white blood cells.
oncology
The branch of medicine that deals with cancer.
lymphatic system
The network of lymph vessels, lymph nodes and organs such as the spleen and thymus that drains tissue fluid and helps fight infection.
staging
Working out how large a cancer is and how far it has spread in the body.