Large Cell Lymphoma

Also known as: anaplastic large cell lymphoma, diffuse large B cell lymphoma

What is large cell lymphoma?

Large cell lymphoma is a common, fast growing group of blood cancers that affect one cell type of white blood cell called lymphocytes. These lymphocytes are classified as either T or B- types and cancers can start in either cell type. This group of large cell lymphomas are a subset of lymphomas, and are called large cell because their cells have the same types of genetic abnormalities, because the cells look big when viewed under a microscope and because they present with similar signs and symptoms.

What causes large cell lymphoma?

Many abnormalities in the genes of large cell lymphomas and many associations with other hereditary disorders, (viruses, autoimmune diseases, drugs and toxins) are found, so the cause of large cell lymphoma is not always exactly clear.

What are the signs and symptoms of large cell lymphoma?

As large cell lymphomas grow rapidly and infiltrate into other tissues and organs, signs and symptoms depend on how large and where they grow.

Signs found often include fever, large lymph nodes in the neck or groin, and a large liver and spleen.

Symptoms may include itchy skin, sweating, fatigue, loss of appetite, backache and swelling of the feet.

What are large cell lymphoma care options?

Treatments depend on a number of factors but usually include chemotherapy, and one or more of surgery, radiation therapy, certain immunotherapy or targeted therapy drugs or some combination of these treatments.

Reviewed by: Jack Wolfsdorf, MD, FAAP

This page was last updated on: April 14, 2022 02:03 PM