Cesar Apolinario died after battling lymphoma. What is that?

GMA-7 reporter Cesar Apolinario passed away last Friday due to lymphoma.

On Unang Balita Rx, Philippine Cancer Society Executive Director Dr. Racheal Rosario explained that lymphoma, also known as cancer of the lymph nodes, begins in the lymphocytes, a part of a human body's germ-fighting system.

Dr. Rosario said other kinds of cancer have risk factors and gene mutation.

On the National Institutes of Health's website, it stated that "genetic mutations may contribute to the development of an aggressive form of non-Hodgkin lymphoma—a cancer of white blood cells."

Some of the symptoms of a person with lymphoma include having a lump on the neck, armpits and groin, fever, fatigue, night sweats, weight loss and itch.

According to Rosario, person with lymphoma can undergo chemotherapy, radiation, bone marrow transplant, stem cell transplant and immunotherapy for treatment.

Young adults between 20 and 30 years old, and men aged 55 and above are prone to have lymphoma.

22-year-old college student Christian Cleofas is currently battling Hodgkins lymphoma since 2014.

He said his first experience was continuous coughing that couldn't be cured by any medicine.

Christian underwent a CT scan revealing there is a soft tissue in his chest.

"Lagi akong ubo ng ubo tapos nagpapa-ospital ako kung saan saan ako nakarating kung ano anong gamot hindi umeepekto sa ubo ko tapos nung pina CT scan kami nalaman na may soft tissue na sa dibdib ko nga," he narrated.

Christian pursued his studies two years after learning about his sickness, simultaneously undergoing treatments while he went to school.

He is now set to graduate with a degree in information technology soon, also hoping to win his battle against lymphoma cancer. — Jannielyn Ann Bigtas/LA, GMA News