The lymphatic system is a network of tiny vessels extending throughout the body. Scattered along these vessels are lymph nodes, which are often adjacent to arteries and veins. The lymphatic vessels carry a clear fluid called lymph from the extremities and organs back to the heart for circulation. The primary job of the lymphatic system is to fight infection and disease. A tumor of the lymphatic system is called lymphoma.
According to the American Cancer Society, in 2025, an estimated 89,070 cases of lymphoma will be diagnosed in the U.S. and 20,540 people will die from the disease.
There are two main types of lymphoma: Hodgkin lymphoma and non-Hodgkin lymphoma. They are further classified into subtypes.
Hodgkin Lymphoma
- Hodgkin lymphoma accounts for 10% of all lymphomas diagnosed in the United States, with the majority presenting in two age groups: 15-30 years of age and then another in adults 55 years or older
- An estimated 8,720 people will be diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma in the United States this year.
- Hodgkin lymphoma is now curable in at least 80% of patients.
- Depending on the stage, the primary treatment approach for this lymphoma is typically a combination of chemotherapy and radiation therapy.
Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma (NHL)
- Non-Hodgkin lymphoma is a broad term that encompasses a diverse group of lymphomas that differ from Hodgkin lymphoma. The most common subtypes diagnosed in the United States include: diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), chronic lymphocytic leukemia/small lymphocytic lymphoma (CLL/SLL), follicular lymphoma, marginal zone lymphoma and mantle cell lymphoma.
- Non-Hodgkin lymphoma occurs in individuals at almost all ages, but it is uncommon in children.
- Non-Hodgkin lymphoma is nine times more common than Hodgkin lymphoma, with an estimated 80,350 people diagnosed in the United States this year.
- All types of non-Hodgkin lymphoma are treatable, and many are curable. Non-Hodgkin lymphoma is typically treated with chemotherapy, biologic therapy and/or radiation therapy. In some types of non-Hodgkin lymphoma, a stem cell transplant may be part of treatment. Depending on your subtype and overall health, you might receive only one of these treatments or you might receive several in combination.
