Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL) are a heterogenous group of cancers that originate in the lymphoid system and that spread in a disorderly manner, often to extranodal sites.1,2 It has diverse genotypes, immunologic phenotypes, molecular biology, morphology and clinical characteristics.3
There are several novel biomarkers that are being investigated at the genetic, epigenetic, protein level and the tumor microenvironment that can potentially provide insights into the processes underlying lymphomagenesis and aid in diagnosis, classification, outcome stratification, and personalizing patient treatment.4
There are over 60 major subtypes of NHL, with follicular lymphoma (FL) the most common indolent type of NHL and diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) the most common aggressive type of NHL.5 There is no ‘gold standard’ when it comes to the basis of classification of the various types of NHL; however, cancers are generally grouped by using a combination of morphology, immunophenotype, clinical and genetic features (Table 1).1 The focus of this website is on B-cell neoplasms.
NHL is the most common type of cancer and the eighth leading cause of death related to cancer in the US. In 2024, it is estimated that approximately 80,620 new cases of NHL will be diagnosed and about 20,140 people will die of NHL in the US.8,9
The 5-year survival rates based on data from 2014-2020 was 74.3%. The incidence of NHL has declined by about 1% per year since 2015. And, from 2012 to 2021, the death rate decreased by 2% per year.10
The incidence of NHL subtypes varies based on the geographical region.11 Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is the most common aggressive form of NHL in Western countries (30%) followed by mantle cell lymphoma (6%) and Burkitt’s lymphoma (2%), and follicular lymphoma (FL) is the most common indolent form of NHL (25%), followed by marginal zone lymphoma (7.5%), chronic lymphocytic leukemia/small-cell lymphocytic leukemia (CLL/SLL; 6%), and lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma (LPL; 1%) (Figure 1). New available treatments including targeted therapies like venetoclax and pembrolizumab and anti-CD20 antibodies such as rituximab have contributed to these improved outcomes.10,11
The International Lymphoma Epidemiology Consortium (InterLymph) was established in 2001 to address the heterogeneity of NHL and determine specific mechanisms and risk factors for various subtypes.10 Although all people with risk factors do not develop NHL, preventive measures aimed at reducing the modifiable risk factors could significantly reduce the risk of developing NHL.12
All URLs accessed July 1, 2024
