Non Hodgkin's Lymphoma

There are more than 70 different types of lymphoma. They range from indolent (slow growing) to highly aggressive. Lymphomas are categorized into two broad groups: non-Hodgkin lymphoma and Hodgkin lymphoma.

Diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is the most common aggressive subtype. It affects about 30 percent of people with NHL in the United States.

Non-Hodgkin lymphoma is divided into more than 30 types, classified based on the type of lymphocyte involved: B lymphocytes (B cells) or T lymphocytes (T cells).

Here are the main B cells types of Lymphoma:

Follicular lymphoma
About 1 out of 5 lymphomas in the United States is a follicular lymphoma. This is usually a slow-growing (indolent) lymphoma, although some follicular lymphomas can grow quickly.

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) /small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL)
CLL and SLL are closely related diseases. In fact, many doctors consider them different versions of the same disease. The same type of cancer cell (known as a small lymphocyte) is seen in both CLL and SLL. The only difference is where the cancer cells are found. In CLL, most of the cancer cells are in the blood and bone marrow. In SLL, the cancer cells are mainly in the lymph nodes and spleen.

Both CLL and SLL are usually slow-growing (indolent) diseases, although CLL, which is much more common, tends to grow more slowly. 

Mantle cell lymphoma (MCL)
About 5% of lymphomas are mantle cell lymphomas. MCL is much more common in men than in women, and it most often appears in people older than 60. When MCL is diagnosed, it is usually widespread in the lymph nodes, bone marrow, and often the spleen.

Marginal zone lymphomas
Marginal zone lymphomas account for about 5% to 10% of lymphomas. They tend to be slow-growing (indolent). The cells in these lymphomas look small under the microscope.

Burkitt lymphoma
This fast-growing lymphoma is named after the doctor who first described this disease in African children and young adults. It makes up about 1% to 2% of all adult lymphomas. It is rare in adults, but is more common in children. It’s also much more common in males than in females.

Lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma (Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia)
This slow-growing lymphoma is not common, accounting for only 1% to 2% of lymphomas. The lymphoma cells are small and found mainly in the bone marrow, lymph nodes, and spleen. This lymphoma is discussed in detail in Waldenstrom Macroglobulinemia.

Hairy cell leukemia
Despite the name, hairy cell leukemia (HCL) is sometimes considered to be a type of lymphoma. It is rare – about 700 people in the United States are diagnosed with it each year. Men are much more likely to get HCL than women, and the average age at diagnosis is around 50.

Primary central nervous system (CNS) lymphoma
This lymphoma involves the brain or spinal cord (the central nervous system, or CNS). The lymphoma is also sometimes found in tissues around the spinal cord. Over time, it tends to become widespread in the central nervous system.

Primary intraocular lymphoma (lymphoma of the eye)
This is a rare type of lymphoma that starts in the eyeball and is often seen along with primary CNS lymphoma. It is the second most common cancer of the eye in adults, with ocular melanoma (eye melanoma) being the first. Most people with primary intraocular lymphoma are elderly or have immune system problems which may be due to AIDS or anti-rejection drugs after an organ or tissue.