Section Editor: David Li MD
May 25, 2026
Lymph nodes are small, bean-shaped organs found throughout the body. Together with lymphoid tissues such as the spleen and tonsils, they are part of the immune system, which helps the body fight infection. Lymph nodes are often examined when they become enlarged. A pathologist examines the tissue under a microscope and with other laboratory tests, and describes what they see in your pathology report.
This page brings together our guides to conditions of the lymph nodes and lymphoid tissues. The articles are grouped by type to help you find the one that matches your diagnosis. Select any article below to learn more.
Hodgkin lymphoma
Hodgkin lymphoma is one of the two main groups of lymphoma, a cancer of the immune system. It is recognized by a particular type of abnormal cell seen under the microscope. The articles explain how it is diagnosed and what the details in your pathology report mean.
Hodgkin lymphoma is one of the two main groups of lymphoma, a cancer of the immune system. This article gives an overview of the diagnosis and its types.
You may find this helpful if your report mentions Hodgkin lymphoma, or you want a general overview before reading about a specific type.
Classic Hodgkin lymphoma is the most common type of Hodgkin lymphoma. This article explains how it is diagnosed and what the details in your pathology report mean.
You may find this helpful if your report mentions classic Hodgkin lymphoma.
Nodular lymphocyte predominant Hodgkin lymphoma
Nodular lymphocyte predominant Hodgkin lymphoma is an uncommon type of Hodgkin lymphoma that usually grows slowly and has an excellent outlook. This article explains what this diagnosis means.
You may find this helpful if your report mentions nodular lymphocyte predominant Hodgkin lymphoma.
Non-Hodgkin lymphoma: B-cell types
Non-Hodgkin lymphoma is the larger of the two main groups of lymphoma. The diagnoses below are non-Hodgkin lymphomas that develop from B cells, the most common kind. The articles explain how each type is diagnosed and what the details in your pathology report mean.
Non-Hodgkin lymphoma is the larger of the two main groups of lymphoma. This article gives an overview of non-Hodgkin lymphoma, including the B-cell and T-cell types.
You may find this helpful if your report mentions non-Hodgkin lymphoma, or you want a general overview before reading about a specific type.
Lymphoblastic lymphoma is a fast-growing lymphoma that develops from very immature lymphoid cells. This article gives an overview of the diagnosis, including the B-cell and T-cell types.
You may find this helpful if your report mentions lymphoblastic lymphoma.
Diffuse large B cell lymphoma is the most common type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma. It is fast-growing but often responds well to treatment. This article explains how it is diagnosed and what the details in your pathology report mean.
You may find this helpful if your report mentions diffuse large B cell lymphoma or DLBCL.
EBV-positive diffuse large B cell lymphoma
EBV-positive diffuse large B cell lymphoma is a type of diffuse large B cell lymphoma linked to the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). This article explains what this diagnosis means.
You may find this helpful if your report mentions EBV-positive diffuse large B cell lymphoma.
Follicular lymphoma is a common, usually slow-growing type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma. This article gives an overview of the diagnosis and what your pathology report describes.
You may find this helpful if your report mentions follicular lymphoma.
Classic follicular lymphoma is the most common form of follicular lymphoma, a usually slow-growing type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma. This article explains what this diagnosis means.
You may find this helpful if your report mentions classic follicular lymphoma.
Follicular lymphoma with a predominantly diffuse growth pattern
This is an uncommon form of follicular lymphoma in which the lymphoma cells grow in a spread-out (diffuse) pattern. This article explains what this diagnosis means.
You may find this helpful if your report mentions follicular lymphoma with a predominantly diffuse growth pattern.
Mantle cell lymphoma is an uncommon type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma that develops from B cells. This article explains how it is diagnosed and what the details in your pathology report mean.
You may find this helpful if your report mentions mantle cell lymphoma.
Small lymphocytic lymphoma, or SLL, is a slow-growing non-Hodgkin lymphoma. It is closely related to chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). This article explains what this diagnosis means.
You may find this helpful if your report mentions small lymphocytic lymphoma or SLL.
Lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma, or LPL, is a slow-growing non-Hodgkin lymphoma that develops from B cells. This article explains what this diagnosis means.
You may find this helpful if your report mentions lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma or LPL, or Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia.
Extranodal marginal zone lymphoma of mucosal-associated lymphoid tissue
This is a slow-growing type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma that develops in tissues outside the lymph nodes, such as the stomach. It is often called MALT lymphoma. This article explains what this diagnosis means.
You may find this helpful if your report mentions extranodal marginal zone lymphoma or MALT lymphoma.
Nodal marginal zone lymphoma is a slow-growing type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma that develops in the lymph nodes. This article explains what this diagnosis means.
You may find this helpful if your report mentions nodal marginal zone lymphoma.
Burkitt lymphoma is a fast-growing type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Although it grows quickly, it often responds very well to treatment. This article explains what this diagnosis means.
You may find this helpful if your report mentions Burkitt lymphoma.
High grade B cell lymphoma with MYC and BCL2 rearrangements
This is a fast-growing type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma defined by specific changes in two genes, MYC and BCL2. This article explains what this diagnosis means.
You may find this helpful if your report mentions high grade B cell lymphoma with MYC and BCL2 rearrangements.
High grade B cell lymphoma NOS
High grade B cell lymphoma, NOS, is a fast-growing non-Hodgkin lymphoma that does not fit neatly into another category. NOS stands for “not otherwise specified.” This article explains what this diagnosis means.
You may find this helpful if your report mentions high grade B cell lymphoma, NOS.
B-lymphoblastic lymphoma, or B-LBL, is a fast-growing lymphoma that develops from very immature B cells. This article explains what this diagnosis means.
You may find this helpful if your report mentions B-lymphoblastic lymphoma or B-LBL.
CD10 is a marker that pathologists can detect on the surface of some B-cell lymphoma cells. This article explains what it means when a B-cell lymphoma is described as CD10-positive.
You may find this helpful if your report mentions a CD10-positive B-cell lymphoma.
Non-Hodgkin lymphoma: T-cell and NK-cell types
These diagnoses are non-Hodgkin lymphomas that develop from T cells or NK cells. They are less common than the B-cell types. The articles explain how each type is diagnosed and what the details in your pathology report mean.
Peripheral T cell lymphoma NOS
Peripheral T cell lymphoma, NOS, is a type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma that develops from mature T cells and does not fit into a more specific category. NOS stands for “not otherwise specified.” This article explains what this diagnosis means.
You may find this helpful if your report mentions peripheral T cell lymphoma, NOS.
Angioimmunoblastic T cell lymphoma
Angioimmunoblastic T cell lymphoma is a type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma that develops from mature T cells. This article explains what this diagnosis means.
You may find this helpful if your report mentions angioimmunoblastic T cell lymphoma.
ALK-positive anaplastic large cell lymphoma
ALK-positive anaplastic large cell lymphoma is a type of T-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma defined by a change in the ALK gene. It often responds well to treatment. This article explains what this diagnosis means.
You may find this helpful if your report mentions ALK-positive anaplastic large cell lymphoma.
ALK-negative anaplastic large cell lymphoma
ALK-negative anaplastic large cell lymphoma is a type of T-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Unlike the ALK-positive type, it does not have a change in the ALK gene. This article explains what this diagnosis means.
You may find this helpful if your report mentions ALK-negative anaplastic large cell lymphoma.
Adult T cell lymphoma is an uncommon type of T-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma that is linked to a virus called HTLV-1. This article explains what this diagnosis means.
You may find this helpful if your report mentions adult T cell lymphoma or leukemia.
Extranodal NK/T cell lymphoma is an uncommon lymphoma that develops from NK cells or T cells, often in the nose or upper airway. This article explains what this diagnosis means.
You may find this helpful if your report mentions extranodal NK/T cell lymphoma.
T-cell lymphoblastic lymphoma, or T-LBL, is a fast-growing lymphoma that develops from very immature T cells. This article explains what this diagnosis means.
You may find this helpful if your report mentions T-cell lymphoblastic lymphoma or T-LBL.
Plasma cell and myeloid tumors
These diagnoses are cancers of plasma cells or of blood-forming myeloid cells that can involve the lymph nodes and lymphoid tissues. The articles explain how each type is diagnosed and what the details in your pathology report mean.
Plasma cell neoplasm is a general name for a group of cancers that develop from plasma cells, a type of immune cell. This article gives an overview of these conditions.
You may find this helpful if your report mentions a plasma cell neoplasm.
A plasmacytoma is a tumor made of plasma cells that forms a single mass, either in bone or in soft tissue. This article explains what this diagnosis means.
You may find this helpful if your report mentions a plasmacytoma.
Myeloproliferative neoplasm is a general name for a group of slow-growing blood cancers in which the bone marrow makes too many blood cells. This article gives an overview of these conditions.
You may find this helpful if your report mentions a myeloproliferative neoplasm.
A myeloid sarcoma is a tumor made of immature myeloid cells, the cells that normally develop into certain blood cells. It is closely related to acute myeloid leukemia. This article explains what this diagnosis means.
You may find this helpful if your report mentions a myeloid sarcoma.
Noncancerous conditions
These diagnoses are noncancerous conditions of the lymph nodes and lymphoid tissues. They are not cancer. They range from a common, harmless reaction in a lymph node to less common conditions that may need treatment. The articles explain what each diagnosis means.
Reactive lymphoid hyperplasia is a common, noncancerous enlargement of a lymph node that happens when the immune system responds to an infection or other stimulus. This article explains what this diagnosis means.
You may find this helpful if your report mentions reactive lymphoid hyperplasia.
Castleman disease is a noncancerous condition in which lymph nodes become enlarged because of an overgrowth of immune cells. This article gives an overview of the diagnosis and its types.
You may find this helpful if your report mentions Castleman disease, or you want a general overview before reading about a specific type.
Unicentric Castleman disease is the form of Castleman disease that affects a single group of lymph nodes. It can often be cured with surgery. This article explains what this diagnosis means.
You may find this helpful if your report mentions unicentric Castleman disease.
Idiopathic multicentric Castleman disease
Idiopathic multicentric Castleman disease is a form of Castleman disease that affects several groups of lymph nodes. “Idiopathic” means the cause is not known. This article explains what this diagnosis means.
You may find this helpful if your report mentions idiopathic multicentric Castleman disease or iMCD.
HHV8-associated multicentric Castleman disease
HHV8-associated multicentric Castleman disease is a form of Castleman disease that affects several groups of lymph nodes and is linked to a virus called HHV8. This article explains what this diagnosis means.
You may find this helpful if your report mentions HHV8-associated multicentric Castleman disease.
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