ENGLISH
REFERENCE

lymphoma

n. C / U
C2 Proficiency US //ɫɪmˈfoʊmə// UK //lɪmfˈəʊmɐ// lym·phoma

n. a type of cancer that starts in the immune system. It affects the parts of your body that help fight off germs and infections.

n. a malignant tumor of the lymph nodes or lymphatic tissue. Refers to a broad group of blood cancers that develop from lymphocytes.


SIMPLE

The doctor is testing the patient for lymphoma.

CONTEXTUAL

After noticing a swollen node in his neck, he underwent a biopsy to rule out lymphoma.

COMPLEX

Advances in immunotherapy have significantly improved the prognosis for patients diagnosed with certain subtypes of non-Hodgkin lymphoma, which were once considered difficult to treat.

Origin

From lymph, from Latin lympha (“water”) + -oma (“disease, morbidity”).

Usage

Uncountable when referring to the disease generally; countable when referring to specific medical types or instances.

© 2026 English Reference