Hodgkin lymphoma
Hodgkin lymphoma is a type of lymphoma that contains abnormal cells called Reed–Sternberg cells. There are two main types of Hodgkin lymphoma and we have separate pages with more detailed information on each of these: classical Hodgkin lymphoma and nodular lymphocyte-predominant Hodgkin lymphoma (NLPHL).
NLPHL is also known as ‘nodular lymphocyte predominant B-cell lymphoma’ as the International Consensus Classification (ICC) classifies it a low grade B-cell lymphoma rather than a Hodgkin lymphoma.
You might have heard Hodgkin lymphoma referred to as Hodgkin’s Disease.
On this page
What is 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. It is named after Dr Thomas Hodgkin, who was the first person to describe it in 1832.
- 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 Hodgkin lymphoma?
Hodgkin lymphoma is rare. Around 2,166 people are diagnosed with it each year in the UK – roughly six people every day.
Hodgkin lymphoma affects slightly more males than females. It can develop in people of any ethnic background.
Hodgkin lymphoma can occur at any age, although most people diagnosed are between the ages of 15 and 34, or over 60. 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 lymphoma, or have any concerns about your health, contact your GP.
Types of Hodgkin lymphoma
There are two main types of Hodgkin lymphoma, based on how they look under a microscope.
- Classical Hodgkin lymphoma contains cells called Reed–Sternberg cells. They look a bit like owl-eyes under a microscope. There are four subtypes of classical Hodgkin lymphoma – all four are treated in the same way.
- Nodular lymphocyte-predominant Hodgkin lymphoma (NLPHL) contains a variant of Reed–Sternberg cells called lymphocyte-predominant (LP) cells. They are sometimes called ‘popcorn cells’ because they look a bit like pieces of popcorn under a microscope. You might hear this called ‘nodular lymphocyte predominant B-cell lymphoma’ as the International Consensus Classification (ICC) now classify it as a low grade B-cell lymphoma rather than a Hodgkin lymphoma.
We cover all types of Hodgkin lymphoma in our book on Hodgkin lymphoma.