Short answers, pulled from the story.
Thomas Hodgkin published the first medical description of lymphoma in 1832. This publication documented a peculiar swelling of the lymph nodes that defied the understanding of the human body at the time. The condition remained a mystery for decades following this initial observation.
Hodgkin lymphoma accounts for roughly 10 to 15 percent of all cases and is defined by the presence of Reed-Sternberg cells. Non-Hodgkin lymphoma comprises about 90 percent of all lymphomas and encompasses a wide array of subtypes that vary in behavior and prognosis. The distinction between these two forms dictates the entire course of treatment and the patient's future.
The Epstein-Barr virus has been linked to the development of several types of lymphoma including Hodgkin lymphoma and Burkitt lymphoma. The human T-lymphotropic virus and tobacco smoking also contribute to the rising incidence of these cancers. These viruses interact with genetics to turn healthy cells into malignant ones.
Doctors diagnose lymphoma by performing a lymph node biopsy to examine tissue under a microscope. The staging process utilizes the Ann Arbor system to determine the extent of the disease ranging from stage I to stage IV. Imaging technologies such as CT scans and PET scans play a crucial role in mapping the spread of the cancer.
Five-year survival rates for Hodgkin lymphoma reach 89 percent in the United States. Non-Hodgkin lymphoma stands at 74 percent. The outcome depends on the correct diagnosis, the stage of the disease, and the patient's response to therapy.
There were 566,000 new cases of lymphoma developing worldwide in 2012 alone. This resulted in 305,000 deaths globally that year. The disease accounts for 3 to 4 percent of all cancers in the developed world.