Lymphomas

There are two main types of lymphomas: Hodgkin's lymphoma or Hodgkin's disease, identified in 1832 by Dr. Thomas Hodgkin. All other types of lymphoma are called non-Hodgkin's lymphomas (NHL). Because lymph tissue is found in many parts of the body, lymphoma can start nearly anywhere. The lymph nodes become enlarged and the cancer can spread through the lymph system. In 2007, there will be about 8,190 new cases of Hodgkin's disease and about 63,190 cases of NHL diagnosed, according to the American Cancer Society. It is the fifth most common cancer in this country, excluding nonmelanoma skin cancers, and the most common malignant tumors of adults between the ages of 20-40 years.

Hodgkin's disease and NHL are different diseases that both arise from the lymph node tissues in the body. In fact, there are many, many types of NHL. The different types can be distinguished from one another by looking at the cells under a microscope.

Regardless of the type of cell, early diagnosis and appropriate treatment is key to a patient's long term well-being - which is how PET scanning can help.