The lymph system is a series of lymph nodes and vessels that move lymph fluid through the body. Lymph fluids contain infection-fighting white blood cells. Lymph nodes act as filters, capturing and destroying bacteria and viruses to prevent infection from spreading. While the lymph system typically protects your body, lymph cells called lymphocytes can become cancerous. The names for cancers that occur in the lymph system are lymphomas. Lymphomas can affect any portion of the lymphatic system, including: bone marrow, thymus, spleen. Tonsils, lymph nodes Doctors typically divide lymphomas into two categories: Hodgkin’s lymphoma and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL).A number of medical specialists collaborate to treat lymphoma. Hematologists are doctors who specialize in blood, bone marrow, and immune cell disorders. Oncologists treat cancerous tumors. Pathologists may work with these doctors to assist in treatment planning and identify if a particular treatment is working. Lymphoma treatments depend upon the cancer’s stage. Doctors will “stage” a tumor to signify how far the cancerous cells may have spread. A stage 1 tumor is limited to a few lymph nodes, while a stage 4 tumor has spread to other organs, such as the lungs or bone marrow.
