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What Is Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma?
Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma is a type of cancer that originates in the lymphatic system, the body's disease-fighting network. The lymphatic system includes the lymph nodes (small, bean-shaped structures that produce and store cells that fight infection and disease), the spleen, thymus gland, and bone marrow. Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma can occur at any age and is often marked by lymph nodes that are larger than normal, fever, and weight loss. There are many different types of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. These types can be divided into aggressive (fast-growing) and indolent (slow-growing) types, and they can be formed from either B-cells or T-cells.
Types of Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma
Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma is a diverse group of blood cancers with over 90 different subtypes. These subtypes can be classified based on various factors, including the type of lymphocyte affected (B cells or T cells), the appearance of the cancer cells under a microscope, and the genetic characteristics of the cancer cells. Here are some of the common types of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma:
B-Cell Lymphomas:
- Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL): This is the most common type of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and is characterized by rapidly growing lymphoma cells.
- Follicular lymphoma: This is a slower-growing non-Hodgkin's lymphoma that often follows a more indolent course.
- Mantle cell lymphoma: This subtype is typically more aggressive and originates from the mantle zone of lymph nodes.
- Marginal zone lymphoma: This includes extranodal marginal zone lymphoma (MALT lymphoma) and nodal marginal zone lymphoma.
- Burkitt lymphoma: A highly aggressive subtype, often associated with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection.
T-Cell Lymphomas:
- Peripheral T-cell Lymphoma (PTCL): This is a diverse group of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma subtypes that originate from T cells.
- Cutaneous T-cell Lymphoma (CTCL): These are skin-related T-cell lymphomas, with mycosis fungoides and Sézary syndrome being common subtypes.
- Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma (ALCL): A rare type of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma characterized by large, abnormal lymphoma cells.
Click the link associated with each subtype to be taken to a subtype-specific HealthTree website to learn more detailed information about that specific type of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.
Why Do People Get Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma?
The exact cause of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma is not known. However, it occurs when your body produces too many abnormal lymphocytes, a type of white blood cell. Instead of dying and being replaced by new cells, these lymphocytes continue to grow and divide. This oversupply of lymphocytes crowds into your lymph nodes, causing them to swell. Factors that may increase the risk of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma include:
- Being older, although some types occur in young people
- Having certain immune system disorders, including HIV/AIDS
- Being exposed to certain chemicals, including those used in agriculture
- Having undergone treatment for Hodgkin or non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in the past
- Having a family history of lymphoma
- Having an autoimmune disease
Who gets Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma?
According to the National Cancer Institute, there will be an estimated 80,550 new cases of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in 2023, making up 4.1% of all new cancer diagnoses. In 2020, there were an estimated 788,781 people living with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in the United States. Approximately 2.1& of men and women will be diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma at some point during their lifetime, based on 2017–2019 data. Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma is more common in men than women and among individuals of Caucasian descent. The median age of diagnosis is 68 years old.