Sources: American Cancer Society, American Society of Clinical Oncology, American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and National Cancer Institute
There are two categories of lymphoma: Hodgkin lymphoma and non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Both are blood cancers of the immune system, specifically the lymphocyte cells, including those found in the lymph nodes and vessels, spleen, thymus, tonsils, and bone marrow. Hodgkin lymphoma and non-Hodgkin lymphoma vary in behavior, treatment reaction, and how each spread.
Hodgkin lymphoma, or Hodgkin disease, was named after Dr. Thomas Hodgkin, who was the first to discover and describe it. Hodgkin disease frequently moves through the lymph system from lymph node to lymph node. Because the lymph system is spread throughout the body, Hodgkin lymphoma can originate almost anywhere, most often in the chest, neck, or underarms. Rarely, in its late stages, the disease may also use the bloodstream as a means for spreading to other parts of the body, including the liver, spleen, lungs, and bone marrow. Hodgkin lymphoma can occur in both adults and children.
