Non-Hodgkin lymphoma
Non-Hodgkin lymphoma is any type of lymphoma that is not classified as Hodgkin lymphoma. There are over 60 different types of non-Hodgkin lymphoma and we have separate pages with more detailed information on the most common of these.
On this page
Who gets non-Hodgkin lymphoma?
- High-grade non-Hodgkin lymphoma
- Low-grade non-Hodgkin lymphoma
- List of non-Hodgkin lymphoma types
What is non-Hodgkin lymphoma?
Lymphoma is a type of blood cancer that develops when white blood cells called lymphocytes grow out of control.
Lymphocytes are part of your immune system. They travel around your body in your lymphatic system, helping you fight infections.
Lymphomas can be grouped into Hodgkin lymphomas or non-Hodgkin lymphomas, depending on what the lymphoma cells look like when doctors examine them under a microscope.
- Hodgkin lymphoma contains abnormal cells called Reed–Sternberg cells.
- Non-Hodgkin lymphoma is any type of lymphoma that is not Hodgkin lymphoma.
We have separate information on possible causes and symptoms of lymphoma.
Who gets non-Hodgkin lymphoma?
Around 13,500 people are diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma each year in the UK. In addition, around 4,000 people a year are diagnosed with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL), which is often considered a form of non-Hodgkin lymphoma. This means almost 50 people are diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma or CLL every day in the UK.
Non-Hodgkin lymphoma affects slightly more males than females. It can develop in people of any ethnic background.
Non-Hodgkin lymphoma can affect people of any age, but it is much more common in older people. However, some types of non-Hodgkin lymphoma can affect children. We have separate information on lymphoma in children (aged 0 to 15) and lymphoma in young people (aged 16 to 24).
If you are worried that you might have symptoms of lymphoma, or have any concerns about your health, contact your GP.
Types of non-Hodgkin lymphoma
There are over 60 different types of non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Some of them are very rare.
Non-Hodgkin lymphoma can develop from two types of lymphocytes, B cells (B-cell lymphoma) or T cells (T-cell lymphoma). Most non-Hodgkin lymphomas develop from B cells. Only around 1 in 10 develop from T cells.
The types of non-Hodgkin lymphoma are often grouped together depending on how fast growing they are.
- High-grade non-Hodgkin lymphomas grow quickly.
- Low-grade non-Hodgkin lymphomas grow slowly.
High-grade non-Hodgkin lymphoma
Non-Hodgkin lymphoma is called ‘high-grade’ when the lymphoma cells are dividing quickly. Specialists can see this when they look at the cells under a microscope.
High-grade non-Hodgkin lymphoma is sometimes called ‘aggressive’ lymphoma. Although this might sound alarming, high-grade non-Hodgkin lymphoma usually responds very well to treatment. Most types of high-grade non-Hodgkin lymphoma are unlikely to come back after successful treatment.
There are many different types of high-grade non-Hodgkin lymphoma. They can develop from B cells or T cells.
Low-grade non-Hodgkin lymphoma
Non-Hodgkin lymphoma is called ‘low grade’ or ‘indolent’ when the lymphoma cells are dividing slowly.
Low-grade lymphomas generally respond well to treatment but they are hard to get rid of completely. They are usually treated with the aim of controlling the lymphoma rather than curing it.
Low-grade non-Hodgkin lymphomas can often be controlled for many years. People might go for long periods when they feel well and don’t need treatment. Over time, though, low-grade non-Hodgkin lymphomas usually come back and need more treatment. Most people have several different treatments over the course of their illness. It helps some people to think of low-grade non-Hodgkin lymphoma as a long-term (chronic) illness that needs treatment from time-to-time.
There are many different types of low-grade non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Most types of low-grade non-Hodgkin lymphoma develop from B cells but some low-grade skin lymphomas develop from T cells.
Low-grade lymphomas can sometimes change (transform) into a high-grade type of lymphoma. This is rare, most low-grade lymphomas do not transform.
Watch Professor Simon Rule explain low-grade non-Hodgkin lymphoma, and hear Maureen share her experience of being diagnosed with follicular lymphoma, a type of low-grade non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
List of non-Hodgkin lymphoma types
Here, we list the most common types of non-Hodgkin lymphoma by how fast they are growing and the type of lymphocyte they develop from. We have separate information on these types.
High-grade B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphomas include:
- Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) and other large B-cell lymphomas, such as:
- Burkitt lymphoma
- Primary central nervous system lymphoma (primary CNS lymphoma)
High-grade T-cell non-Hodgkin lymphomas include:
- Anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL)
- Angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma (AITL)
- Adult T-cell leukaemia/lymphoma (ATL)
- Extranodal NK/T-cell lymphoma (nasal-type)
- Peripheral T-cell lymphoma not otherwise specified (PTCL-NOS)
- Sézary syndrome
- Rarer types of T-cell skin lymphoma
Lymphoblastic lymphoma is a rare form of high-grade non-Hodgkin lymphoma that develops from immature lymphocytes. It can develop from either B cells or T cells. It typically affects younger people. It is very similar to acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) and is treated in the same way. Leukaemia Care provides more detailed information about ALL.
Low-grade B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphomas include:
- Follicular lymphoma (usually low-grade, although grade 3B follicular lymphoma can behave, and is treated, more like a high-grade lymphoma)
- Mantle cell lymphoma (although this sometimes behaves more like a high-grade lymphoma)
- Chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL)/small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL)
- Lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma (Waldenström’s macroglobulinaemia)
- Marginal zone lymphomas:
- Extranodal marginal zone lymphoma (also called MALT lymphoma)
- Nodal marginal zone lymphoma
- Splenic marginal zone lymphoma
- Primary cutaneous follicle centre lymphoma
Low-grade T-cell non-Hodgkin lymphomas include:
Most skin lymphomas are low-grade T-cell lymphomas. They include:
- Mycosis fungoides
- Primary cutaneous CD30-positive lymphoproliferative disorders, such as primary cutaneous anaplastic large-cell lymphoma and lymphomatoid papulosis
- Rarer types of T-cell skin lymphoma
If you have a type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma that we do not mention, please contact our Helpline on 0808 808 5555 or via Live Chat. We will help you find information most suitable to your needs.
Trusted Information
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