B Cell Vs. T Cell Lymphoma

Both B-cell and T-cell lymphoma are types of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, but each affects a different part of the immune system.

Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma

Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma is a type of cancer that occurs in the lymphocytes (white blood cells) of the body's immune system. More common than Hodgkin's lymphoma, the two are distinct by the types of abnormal cells they display.

B-Cell Lymphoma

B-cell lymphoma makes up a majority (about 80 to 90 percent) of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma cases and involves the mutation and cancerous proliferation of B-cell lymphocytes. B-cells are the most common type of lymphocyte in the bloodstream.

T-Cell Lymphoma

T-cell lymphoma accounts for 10 to 15 percent of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma cases and affects the immune system's T-cells. There are several types of T-cell lymphoma, including peripheral, cutaneous, angioimmunoblastic and adult T-cell lymphoma.

Causes

B-cell lymphomas are commonly caused by genetic factors as well as by the environment, viruses, and immunodeficiency. Exact T-cell lymphoma causes are less known, but the cause of adult T-cell lymphoma can be narrowed to a type of virus called Human Lymphotropic Virus-1 (HTLV-1).

Treatment

While T-cell lymphoma is commonly treated with chemotherapy, B-cell lymphoma, depending on the stage, may require chemotherapy, radiation therapy, radioimmunotherapy or even stem cell transplantation.

References

• B-Cell Lymphomas
• T-Cell Lymphomas
• Hodgkin's and Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma: Differences and Similarities

Resources

• National Cancer Institute
• American Cancer Society