Our body produces two types of lymphocytes to fight against different kind of diseases. These are- B cell and T cell lymphocytes. B cell lymphoma is a cancer of lymphocytes which are the white blood cells that prevent the body from deadly diseases. B-cell lymphomas result in reduced body immunity, thereby making it more prone to harmful diseases. B-cell lymphoma can be either slow-growing or aggressive and fast-growing. There are two main B-cell lymphoma types – Hodgkins lymphoma and Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, the latter being the most common. It is further divided into several other lymphoma types.

1. Who can get affected?

• Male individuals are more prone to get affected by various lymphoma types
• Individuals who are greater than 60 years of age
• Individuals who have just undergone organ transplant and are under the action of immunosuppressive medicines
• Are affected with inherited diseases which weaken the immune system
• Affected by HIV or other diseases

2. What are the effects of B-cell Lymphoma?

A person with B-cell lymphoma produces abnormal B-cells, which are different in shape and function from the normal ones. In general, the body starts producing B-cells when in need of fighting foreign pathogens or diseases. However, if suffering from Lymphoma, he/she starts producing B-cells even when not in need. Thus, the exaggerated amount of abnormal B-cells are difficult to cope up with and causes other complexities in the body.

3. Types of B-cell Lymphoma

• Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL)

DLBCL is the most common lymphoma type which affects people in their mid-60s. It is usually detected as a fast-growing lymphoma inside the lymph nodes of the body, like the chest or abdomen. However, DLBCL is completely curable if detected in the early stages.

• Follicular lymphoma

This particular type of lymphoma is known to specifically affect people between 50 and 60 years of age, and rarely young individuals. It is an indolent or slow-growing lymphoma which can affect the bone marrow besides other lymph nodes. Though there are treatments for suppressing it, Follicular lymphoma is hard to completely cure.

• Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)

CLL is also termed similar to small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL) by many doctors. Though both the lymphoma types have similar symptoms, CLL affects the bone marrow and the bone whereas the latter disturbs the normal functioning of spleen and lymph nodes. These slow-growing types of lymphoma are not completely curable. However, individuals can live for decades with the condition.

• Mantle cell lymphoma (MCL)

This rare lymphoma type is known to affect men above 60 and is seen in men, more than women. It is a fast-growing type of lymphoma which is practically hard to cure.

• Marginal zone lymphoma (MZL)

This is also a rare type of lymphoma which mainly starts as a stomach infection by Helicobacter pylori. However, this is an indolent form of lymphoma which can be completely cured under supreme medical guidance.

• Burkitt lymphoma

Affecting children more than adults, Burkitt lymphoma is a fast-growing lymphoma which was first reported in Africa. However, it is completely curable by intensive chemotherapy.

• Lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma (Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia)

This particular type of lymphoma is indolent and extremely rare. It is a complex form of lymphoma and needs extreme medical care.

• Primary central nervous system (CNS) lymphoma

This lymphoma type affects the central nervous NS of older individuals and can cause mental confusion. It can easily spread over the CNS and can accompany several other diseases including seizures in extreme cases.

B-cell lymphomas are common in individuals with low body immunity. However, in most cases, it is easily curable through medication and chemotherapy. The incurable ones also provide an average lifespan expectancy.