Lymphoma cancer affects white blood cells or lymphocytes which is important to fight diseases and infection.

- Types of Lymphoma Cancer:

There are two types of cancer - Hodgkin's disease and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL).

In Hodgkin's disease, cancerous cells are found in white blood cells. Named after Dr. Thomas Hodgkin, the disease was identified in 1832.

Bone marrow, gastrointestinal tract and skin are the areas that NHL affects. NHL comprises many types of lymphoma cancer. While some types grow quickly others grow very slowly.

An increase in AIDS cases has in a partial way resulted in high NHL cases. AIDS patients are about 60 percent more likely to get NHL.

People exposed to herbicides and insecticides too are at a higher risk for NHL.

- Diagnosis:
Blood tests can be done to diagnose Lymphoma cancer and so can CT and MRI test. However, Lymph node biopsy is the main method of diagnosis.

- Treatment:
Type of treatment for lymphoma is not the same for all. It depends on the stage of the disease, the extent of the cancerous cells and its location, age and health.

Treatments available for Lymphoma cancer include:

• Chemotherapy - ''Anti-Cancer'' Drugs are either injected or given by mouth to wipe out cancerous cells.
• Radiation Therapy In this type of treatment, radiations are given to destroy the cancerous cells.
• Autologous Stem Cell Transplant In this type, chemotherapy, radiation therapy or both is given to destroy cancerous cells after taking out bone marrow or peripheral blood stem cells. These stem cells are frozen till your treatment is over and then transplanted.
• Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplant -- In this type of treatment, healthy bone marrow or blood stem cells are transplanted in place of your bone marrow and immune system.
• Nutritional Therapy This is an alternative treatment for Lymphoma Cancer. Doctors ensure proper nutrition in this type of treatment by suggesting consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains and cereals. Consumption of fish, poultry and low-fat yogurt is also recommended to cure the disease.