Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma (NHL)

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This blog is for informational purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice. Content is sourced from third parties, and we do not guarantee accuracy or accept any liability for its use. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical guidance.

What is Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma (NHL)?

Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma (NHL) is a diverse group of blood cancers originating from lymphocytes (B-cells 85%, T-cells 15%), affecting lymph nodes, spleen, bone marrow, and extranodal sites. It includes over 60 subtypes, classified as indolent (e.g., follicular, marginal zone) or aggressive (e.g., DLBCL, Burkitt). In 2025, ~80,000 US cases annually, median age 67, more in men. NHL is the 7th most common cancer, with increasing incidence due to better diagnostics.

Symptoms

Common symptoms include painless swollen lymph nodes (neck, armpits, groin), B symptoms (fever, night sweats, weight loss), fatigue, itching, recurrent infections, abdominal pain/swelling, chest pain/cough (mediastinal involvement), or neurological issues (CNS lymphoma). Symptoms vary by subtype: indolent progress slowly, aggressive rapidly.

Causes

Causes involve genetic mutations and immune dysregulation, with risk factors like age, male gender, autoimmune diseases (rheumatoid arthritis, Sjogren’s), infections (EBV, hepatitis C, H. pylori), immunosuppression (HIV, transplants), and environmental exposures (pesticides, solvents). In 2025, genomic studies highlight BCL2/MYC in aggressive types.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis uses biopsy (lymph node/extranodal) with immunohistochemistry/flow cytometry for subtype, cytogenetics/FISH for translocations, and PET-CT for staging (Lugano criteria). Bone marrow biopsy assesses involvement. In 2025, NGS and liquid biopsies improve precision.

Treatment

Indolent NHL uses watchful waiting or rituximab; aggressive uses R-CHOP. CAR-T for relapsed B-cell, bispecifics for follicular. Radiation for localized, SCT for high-risk. In 2025, polatuzumab vedotin and mosunetuzumab improve outcomes.

Future Outlook

In 2025, 5-year survival is 73%, 90% indolent, 65% aggressive. Immunotherapy raises relapsed survival to 50%. By 2030, gene therapies could achieve 85% survival.

Sources

The information for NHL is sourced from Cleveland Clinic’s “Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma: Symptoms, Types & Treatment” for symptoms; Mayo Clinic’s “Non-Hodgkin lymphoma – Symptoms and causes” for causes; NHS’s “Non-Hodgkin lymphoma” for overview; Blood Cancer UK’s “Non-Hodgkin lymphoma – what is it, symptoms and treatment” for symptoms; Cancer.org.au’s “Non-Hodgkin lymphoma | Causes, Symptoms & Treatments” for treatment; ONS’s “Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment, and Prognosis” for prognosis; NCI’s “Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma Treatment” for treatment; Mayo Clinic’s “Non-Hodgkin lymphoma – Diagnosis and treatment” for diagnosis; MD Anderson’s “Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma” for overview; MSD Manuals’ “Non-Hodgkin Lymphomas” for details.