Category: <span>B-cell Lymphoma Life Blog</span>

If you have been diagnosed with B-cell lymphoma, it means you have cancer that has formed from lymphocytes, also known as white blood cells. Lymphocytes make antibodies that help your body fight bacteria and viruses. These cells travel around the body in the lymph system, which includes the lymph nodes in the neck, armpit, and groin.

When you have B-cell lymphoma, your body makes abnormal B cells and struggles to fight infections. B-cell lymphomas are the most common type of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

B-cell lymphoma is a type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) that makes up about 75% of the cases. The different types of B-cell lymphomas are diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), follicular lymphoma, chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)/ small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL), mantle cell lymphoma (MCL), marginal zone lymphomas (MZL), Burkitt lymphoma and more. B-cell lymphoma symptoms can vary, but the common symptoms are abdominal pain or swelling, painless, swollen lymph nodes, chest pain, coughing or trouble breathing, persistent fatigue, fever, night sweats, and unexplained weight loss.

Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma (DLBCL) is an aggressive (quick-growing) subtype of Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma (NHL) that affects B-lymphocytes. B-lymphocytes are white blood cells that secrete antibodies in the immune system. Despite being an aggressive lymphoma, DLBCL is considered potentially curable.

People of any age can develop lymphoma; however, it is among the most common cancer types for patients aged 15–24 years. As this type of cancer occurs within the lymphatic system, it could rapidly metastasize, or spread, to different tissues and organs all through the body. Most DLBCL patients are diagnosed in their 60’s despite cases of lymphoma being in patients of all ages.