The lymph system contains small masses called lymph nodes, which are centers for the development and maturation of white blood cells. White blood cells can generally be divided into T-cells and B-cells, with each kind of cell having a distinct role in the immune system. Sometimes the B-cells can develop genetic abnormalities that cause them to grow abnormally quickly, which can lead to lymphomas.
Prevalence
B-cell lymphomas are the predominant form of lymphomas that are not termed Hodgkin's lymphoma (or Hodgkin's disease). The American Cancer Society notes that B-cell lymphomas comprise approximately 85 percent of all cases of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (or non-Hodgkin lymphoma) in the United States.
Symptoms
Because B-cells accumulate and develop in the lymph nodes, often the first symptom of B-cell lymphomas involves swollen lymph nodes, as cancerous cells rapidly divide in these areas. Some kinds of B-cell lymphoma also can cause bone pain because the bone marrow is also connected with the lymphatic system.
Types
There are many different forms of B-cell lymphoma, which are distinguished by the appearance of the cancerous cells when viewed under a microscope. The most common type of B-cell lymphoma, according to the Lymphoma Research Foundation, is called diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. This form of cancer accounts for approximately one-third of all kinds of B-cell lymphomas. Other common forms of B-cell lymphoma include follicular lymphoma and small lymphocytic lymphoma.
Diagnosis
As MedlinePlus explains, there are two main tests that can be done to diagnose lymphomas in patients who are suspected of having cancer. One is a lymph node biopsy, in which a tissue sample is taken from one or more lymph nodes, especially swollen lymph nodes. This biopsy is then visualized under a microscope. Doctors can also have tests done on the blood that measure the number of white blood cells as well as the levels of certain proteins that can be overproduced by patients with B-cell lymphomas.
Treatment
Because surgery is rarely effective at treating B-cell lymphomas, most cases of this disease are treated with a combination of chemotherapy, radiation therapy and immunotherapy. Chemotherapy uses drugs that poison the rapidly dividing cancer cells and has the advantage of being able to attack lymphoma cells throughout the entire body. Radiation therapy uses high-energy X-rays to damage cancer cells. Immunotherapy uses specially designed proteins that bind to and kill lymphoma cells.
