Les Non-Hodgkin lymphomas (NHL) are divided into two main types: T-cell lymphomas And the B cell lymphomas. For T-cell lymphomas, the tumor originates from mature T cells, unlike most NHL cells, which are derived from mature B cells.

What is a T cell?

A lymphocyte is a white blood cell Who plays a role in the immune defense. In case of infection, the number of lymphocytes will increase, allowing the human body to fight against it, by identifying cells foreign to the body and then destroying them. T cells come from the bone marrow and take their name from their place of maturation: the thymus. They are able to identify foreign bodies that have passed the B lymphocyte barrier and develop inside the body's own cells to eliminate them.

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How is T-cell lymphoma diagnosed?

T-cell lymphomas are generally called “aggressive.” The main symptoms are severe night sweats, fever, itchy and damaged skin, and severe fatigue. Since these symptoms are relatively common and appear and disappear gradually, it is difficult to diagnose T-cell lymphoma. Moreover, during a blood test, a Inflammatory syndrome (the biological disturbances of inflammation) may be visible. In order to establish a clear diagnosis, a lymph node biopsy should be carried out with an analysis by an anatomopathologist.

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How to treat T-cell lymphoma

For first-line treatment, the protocol most often used is CHOP which corresponds to a chemotherapeutic combination of four drugs administered by infusion into the veins: Cyclophosphamide (Endoxan®), Doxurubicin (Adriamycin®), Vincristine (Oncovin®) and Prednisone (Cortancyl®).

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What is a B cell?

Like the T cell, a B cell is a white blood cell which aims to fight against foreign cells (abnormal or cancerous) of the body. To do this, B cells will produce antigen-specific antibodies carried by abnormal cells. In this way, when a foreign body is detected, the B lymphocyte, having developed specific antibodies on its surface, is activated to bind to the foreign body antigens. The foreign body linked to the B lymphocyte will be more identifiable by phagocytes Who are coming then destroy the foreign body.

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What are the types of B-cell lymphomas?

Non-Hodgkin lymphomas (NHL) include: diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, mantle cell lymphoma, and Burkitt lymphoma.

Les diffuse large B cell lymphomas are the most common of the NHL. The tumor starts in mature B lymphocytes located, in 60% of cases, in the lymph nodes.

Les mantle cell lymphomas are much rarer. They originate in cells on the outer periphery (mantle zone) of the lymph nodes.

Les Burkitt lymphoma are, for their part, mainly found in kids.

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How do you determine the stage of non-Hodgkin lymphoma?

Four stages, ranging from I and IV, exist. Les stages I and II correspond to a tumor still localized, in a single ganglionic group for stage I and in several ganglionic groups but on the same side of the diaphragm for stage II. As for stages III and IV, they refer to a more advanced cancer. Stage III corresponds to a tumor that has grown into lymph node groups on both sides of the diaphragm and stage IV to lymphoma that affects other non-ganglionic organs such as the bone marrow or lungs.

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Sources: National Cancer Institute, Canadian Cancer Society, Ellye, Arcagy-gyneco, Centre Léon Bérard