B-Cell Lymphoma
B-Cell Lymphoma Causes
B-cell lymphoma is caused by cancerous B-Cell lymphocytes that represent about 85% of the known types of lymphomas in the US, the other 2 subsets being T-Cell lymphomas, and lymphomas where the cell type is what is known as the Natural Killer Cell. B-Cells undergo many changes in their life cycle depending on complex signaling processes between cells and interaction with foreign substances in the body. Most cases of follicular lymphoma, especially those with numerous small-cleaved cells, have a gene translocation of t(14;18). This results in a rearranged and over-expressed gene called BCL-2. This gene tells the human body to produce a protein from the inner mitochondrial membrane to block programmed cell death or apoptosis. In many cases of small non-cleaved cell lymphomas, including Burkitt's, gene translocation is also present, this time the MYC gene, t(8;14). Most cases of mantle cell lymphomas rearrange the BCL-1 gene, t(11;14). Some low-grade lymphomas can develop into higher grade diseases. In Richter's transformation, for example, the small lymphocytic lymphoma promotes itself to diffuse the large cell lymphoma. Causes for this and other types of lymphoma are under constant research.
B-Cell Lymphoma Definition
B-cell lymphoma, also known as Non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL), is a heterogenous group of lymphoproliferative malignancies with varying patterns of behavior and responses to treatment. Non-Hodgkin lymphoma is a heterogenous group of lymphoproliferative malignancies with varying patterns of behavior and responses to treatment. NHL usually originates in the lymphoid tissues and can spread to other internal organs. However, unlike Hodgkin's disease, NHL is less predictable and has a greater predilection to extranodal sites.
B-Cell Lymphoma Prevalence
In 2001, an estimated 56,200 new cases of NHL were diagnosed in the US, with 26,300 deaths related to the disease. Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma accounts for 5% of new cancers in men and 4% of new cancers in women. There has been a striking increase in NHL incidence rates over the last 4 decades. The lifetime risk of a person being diagnosed with NHL is 2.08%. The incidence rate is increasing approximately 3% every year and has increased by more than 80% since 1973. Several theories address the increasing incidence of NHL. New classification systems and techniques have led to diagnoses of NHL in patients who would have previously been diagnosed with harmless disorders such as atypical lymphoid hyperplasia. Better imaging techniques and software, and improved biopsy techniques are likely to have contributed to the apparent increase in its incidence.
B-Cell Lymphoma Treatment
The treatment of non-Hodgkin lymphoma may differ depending on tumor stage, phenotype, histology, symptoms, performance status, the age of the patient, and comorbidities.