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Lymphoma

Synonym(s)

  • germinoblastoma
  • reticulolymphosarcoma

Definition(s)

A general term for various neoplastic diseases of the lymphoid tissue.

Definition from: MeSH via Unified Medical Language SystemThis link leads to a site outside Genetics Home Reference. at the National Library of Medicine

Cancer that begins in cells of the immune system. There are two basic categories of lymphomas. One kind is Hodgkin's lymphoma, which is marked by the presence of a type of cell called the Reed-Sternberg cell. The other category is non-Hodgkin's lymphomas, which includes a large, diverse group of cancers of immune system cells. Non-Hodgkin's lymphomas can be further divided into cancers that have an indolent (slowly progressing) course and those that have an aggressive (rapidly progressing) course. These subtypes behave and respond to treatment differently. Both Hodgkin's and non-Hodgkin's lymphomas can occur in children and adults, and prognosis and treatment depend on the stage and the type of cancer.

Definition from:  National Cancer Institute dictionaryThis link leads to a site outside Genetics Home Reference.

See also Understanding Medical Terminology.

 
Published: February 18, 2013