Lymphoma: know the facts
:quality(90)/)
Lymphoma is an umbrella term used for over 60 related cancers which start in the cells of your immune system.¹ There are two general categories of lymphoma: Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). The majority of lymphoma cases that are diagnosed are a type of NHL. Distinguishing between NHL subtypes is important for appropriate treatment. Click on the flashcards below to find out more about NHL and its most common forms.
:quality(90)/)
Blood cancer is the fourth most common cause of cancer death worldwide. Lymphoma is one of the most prevalent forms.2
:quality(90)/)
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.3
:quality(90)/)
The two most common NHL subtypes are diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, an aggressive (fast-growing) form, and follicular lymphoma, an indolent (slow growing) form.4,5
:quality(90)/)
Subtypes can behave differently which means they may require different treatments.6
:quality(90)/)
The median age for diagnosis of follicular lymphoma is 60 years old.7
:quality(90)/)
Symptoms of follicular lymphoma often appear gradually and therefore go unnoticed by patients, resulting in 80% of patients being diagnosed with advanced disease.8
:quality(90)/)
If the disease is early stage, patients may not receive any treatment until symptoms appear or change, but their disease will still be monitored. This is known as “watch and wait”.9
:quality(90)/)
Follicular lymphoma is generally considered incurable; however, with treatment to control their disease, patients can usually survive for many years after diagnosis.10
:quality(90)/)
With every relapse in follicular lymphoma, the disease becomes harder to treat and therapy options become more limited. The aim of the treatment is to prolong the time before a person’s disease returns while preserving their quality of life.11
References
Swerdlow SH, et al. WHO classification of tumours of haematopoietic and lymphoid tissues. In: World Health Organization Classification of Tumours. Lyon, France: IARC; 2017.
GLOBOCAN 2018. World fact sheet. [Internet; cited November 2018] Available at:
Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. [Internet; cited November 2018] Available at:
Le Guyader-Peyrou S et al. Factors Related To The Relative Survival Of Patients With Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma In A Population-Based Study In France: Does Socio-Economic Status Have A Role? Haematologica 2017; 102: 584-592
Shankland KR, et al. Non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Lancet 2012; 380 (9844): 848-57
Cancer.Net. Lymphoma – Non-Hodgkin: Subtypes. [Internet, cited November 2018]. Available at:
Luminari S et al. Rev. Bras. Hematol. Hemoter. 2012; 34(1): 54-59
National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence. [Internet; cited November 2018] Available at:
ESMO. Patient guide series: Follicular lymphoma. [Internet; cited November 2018]. Available at:
PDQ Cancer Information Summaries. Adult Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma (PDQ®). [Internet; cited November 2018]. Available at:
Johnson PW et al. Patterns of survival in patients with recurrent follicular lymphoma: a 20-year study from a single center. J Clin Oncol, 1995 13(1):140-7