# lymphoma

/ɫɪmˈfoʊmə/ (US) · /lɪmfˈəʊmɐ/ (UK) · CEFR C2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/lymphoma
Updated: 2026-05-07

## Definition

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

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

## Examples

- The doctor is testing the patient for lymphoma.
- After noticing a swollen node in his neck, he underwent a biopsy to rule out lymphoma.
- 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.

## Usage notes

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

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.