Lymphoma is a cancer that starts in lymphocytes, a type of white blood cell that fights infection. These cells are found throughout your body in lymph nodes, the spleen, bone marrow, and other organs. When lymphoma develops, lymphocytes grow out of control and crowd out healthy cells. There are many types of lymphoma, and they behave differently—some grow slowly over years, while others advance quickly. If you or someone close to you has been diagnosed with lymphoma, or you're trying to understand what doctors mean by this term, this section explains what the condition is and how doctors identify it.
The articles here answer questions like: What happens during a lymphoma diagnosis? What tests do doctors use to confirm it? How do doctors determine which type someone has? What does staging mean, and why does it matter? You'll also find information about what to expect after diagnosis and how treatment decisions are made based on the type and stage of lymphoma.