Lymphoma is a severe type of cancer which arise from white blood cells called lymphocytes. In addition to this, white blood cells help the body by fighting against bacteria and viruses. Lymphocytes includes two groups of white blood cells: B cells which change in plasma cells and produce antibodies, certain kinds of proteins that attach on infections and destroy them and on the other hand T cells which balance the immune system and fight against viruses and tumor cells. Moreover, B and T cells are travelling through the body, passing through lymph nodes and the spleen in order to find any foreign particles such as viruses and other germs. On the other hand when the B or T cells tend to enlarge too much the lymph nodes become bigger too and they may show a first sign of infection in the body.Furthermore, when T and B cells divide the lymph nodes enlarge as well. Lymphocytes which make the lymph nodes to enlarge don't mature normally and in some cases these cells can be associated with genetic mutation. In order to find out the real type of lymphoma by using characteristics of the tumor cells, speacilists have made a classification system, known as REAL classification.
The appereance of the malignant lymphocytes represents the aspect of the cells and tissues under a microscope. Moreover, Phenotype, a type of malignant lymphocytes refers to certain unique "markers" that can be found in the cells and that may be determined through tests. Much more,classifications tests tend to be hard procedures which may take a long period of time until the results are confirmed. It is important to say that the genetic make-up known as "genotype" too refers to the DNA of the malignant lymphoma which in some cases can develop genetic mutations. Lymphoma is usually divided in two important groups: Hodgkin's disease, which is composed of Reed-Stenberg cells and tends to be less common that Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma and much more its chances to be cured are bigger.
Taking all these into consideration, the diagnosis and classification of lymphomas may be hard procedures and even confusing for both patients and doctors due to the complexity of our body system and the way it works.
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