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Lymphoma subtypes: Can you spot the difference?

Non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) is a type of blood cancer that starts in the white blood cells, known as lymphocytes, which are a key component of the immune system.¹ There are over 60 different types of NHL,² which can also be classified as indolent (slow growing) or aggressive (fast growing), depending on how quickly the cancer grows.³ Two of the most common types, follicular lymphoma and diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), are very different in how, when and where they develop and how they are managed.

What are the most common subtypes of NHL?

Follicular lymphoma
Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma

How do cancer cells differ between subtypes?

Follicular lymphoma
Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma

How quickly does the disease progress?

Follicular lymphoma
Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma

When are patients usually diagnosed?

Follicular lymphoma
Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma

What is the course of the disease?

Follicular lymphoma
Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma

What is the unmet clinical need?

Follicular lymphoma
Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma

References

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  2. Swerdlow SH, et al. WHO classification of tumours of haematopoietic and lymphoid tissues. In: World Health Organization Classification of Tumours. Lyon, France: IARC; 2017.

  3. American Cancer Society. What is Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma. [Internet; cited April 2022]. Available at:

  4. Cancer.Net. Leukemia – Lymphoma –Non-Hodgkin: Subtype. [Internet; cited April 2022]. Available from:

  5. Globocan 2020. World fact sheet. [Internet; cited April 2022]. Available at:

  6. Rare Diseases. [Internet; cited April 2022] Available at:

  7. Lymphoma Action. [Internet; cited April 2022]. Available at:

  8. Lymphoma Research Foundation. [Internet; cited April 2022]. Available at:Last accessed September 2016

  9. UpToDate. Patient education: Diffuse large B cell lymphoma in adults (Beyond the Basics). [Internet ; cited April 2022]. Available at:

  10. Rovira J et al. Prognosis of patients with diffuse large B cell lymphoma not reaching complete response or relapsing after frontline chemotherapy or immunochemotherapy. Ann Hematol. 2015; 94: 803–812.

  11. National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence Review of TA 110:rituximab for the first-line treatment of stage III-IV follicular lymphoma. [Internet; cited April 2022]. Available at:

  12. Lymphoma Research Foundation. [Internet; cited April 2022]. Available at:

  13. Maurer, MJ et al. Event-free survival at 24 months is a robust end point for disease-related outcome in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma treated with immunochemotherapy. J Clin Oncol. 2014; 32: 1066-73.

  14. Maurer MJ, Habermann TM, Shi Q, et al. Progression-free survival at 24 months (PFS24) and subsequent outcome for patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) enrolled on randomized clinical trials. Ann Oncol. 2018;29:1822-1827.

  15. Fowler N. Role of Maintenance Rituximab (Rituxan) Therapy In the Treatment of Follicular Lymphoma. Pharmacy and Therapeutics; 2011; 36:590-598

  16. Lymphoma Action. Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. [Internet; cited April 2022]. Available at: