Lymphoma, from the CureRays guide library.

Lymphoma is a cancer of the immune system's white blood cells; many forms are among the most curable of all cancers.

What it is.

Lymphoma is cancer of the lymphatic system — the network of nodes and vessels that is part of the body's immune defense. It begins when infection-fighting white blood cells called lymphocytes grow out of control, usually collecting in lymph nodes and causing painless swelling in the neck, armpit, or groin. Because lymphoma travels through a body-wide system rather than one organ, it is staged differently from most cancers. Many types respond remarkably well to treatment, and several are considered highly curable.

How radiation treats it.

Radiation uses focused high-energy x-rays to damage cancer-cell DNA so the cells can no longer divide. Lymphoma cells are especially sensitive to radiation, so relatively low doses are often enough. Modern planning and breathing techniques shape the dose to the involved nodes while steering it away from the heart, lungs, and breast tissue. Treatments are painless and brief; side effects depend on the area treated and are usually mild and temporary, such as fatigue or localized skin or throat irritation.

The ways we can treat it.

Involved-site radiation therapy (ISRT). Modern radiation treats only the originally involved lymph nodes with carefully limited margins, sharply reducing dose to the heart, lungs, and breast compared with older wide-field techniques.

Combined-modality therapy. A few cycles of chemotherapy followed by low-dose involved-site radiation cures the large majority of early-stage Hodgkin lymphoma.

Total body / specialized radiation. Low-dose radiation can prepare patients for stem-cell transplant or treat lymphomas of the skin, with techniques tailored to each situation.

Questions we hear often.

Is lymphoma curable? Many types are. Hodgkin lymphoma and several aggressive non-Hodgkin types are among the most curable cancers, even when advanced. Slow-growing types may not be 'cured' but can be controlled for many years.

Why is my lymphoma staged with letters and 'B symptoms'? Lymphoma spreads through the immune system, so it is staged by which node regions are involved rather than by a lump's size. 'B symptoms' — fevers, night sweats, and weight loss — help doctors judge how active it is.

Will I always need chemotherapy? Not always. Some early lymphomas are treated with radiation alone or short courses of therapy, and certain slow-growing types may simply be watched closely until treatment is needed.

This guide is informational only. It is not medical advice — please confirm anything here with your care team.