Information on Lymphoma

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the incidence of lymphoma is rising by 7.5% annually, making it one of the fastest-growing malignant tumors over the past decade, and it is trending toward younger patients. Lymphoma can occur in any part of the lymphatic system, with diverse clinical manifestations that affect the immune system and overall health. Its signs and symptoms may include fever, anemia, and bleeding manifestations.

There are many types of lymphoma, mainly divided into two categories: Hodgkin's Lymphoma (HL) and Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma (NHL). Research shows that nodular sclerosis Hodgkin's lymphoma is more common in young people, while mixed cellularity Hodgkin's lymphoma is more prevalent in the elderly. The exact cause of Hodgkin's lymphoma remains unclear, but Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection, autoimmune diseases, and immunosuppressive states can increase the risk. Individuals with a family history of Hodgkin's lymphoma have a higher risk than the general population.

The most common types of Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma include follicular lymphoma, Burkitt's lymphoma, and diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). Incidence of different subtypes varies by region: follicular lymphoma is more common in Western countries, whereas T-cell lymphoma is more prevalent in Asia. The incidence of NHL is slightly higher in males than females, with a median age of onset between 50 and 70 years.

Painless lymphadenopathy is the primary initial symptom of most lymphomas; unexplained fever is also common. Treatments vary significantly, depending on tumor stage, grade, type of lymphoma, and patient-related factors (such as symptoms, age, and performance status). The choice of treatment should be determined by professional physicians based on the patient's specific condition. Traditional treatments for hematologic malignancies include chemotherapy and radiotherapy, but these have limited efficacy and relatively severe side effects. Therefore, immunotherapy and targeted drugs have become new research hotspots. In addition, CAR-T cell immunotherapy has been approved for clinical use in lymphoma in China. Studies show that 83% of lymphoma patients achieve remission after CAR-T cell therapy, of whom 53% reach complete remission. For some complex cases, a combination of multiple treatment modalities may be adopted.

Meanwhile, maintaining healthy habits, such as a balanced diet, moderate exercise, not smoking, and limiting alcohol, helps preserve immune system health. Avoiding exposure to toxic and chemical substances, as well as risk factors associated with viral infections, also contributes to lymphoma prevention. At the same time, standardized diagnosis and treatment are the key determinants for effectively controlling and ultimately curing lymphoma.