Lymphoma

“Lymphoma” is the general term for cancer in your lymphatic system — the network of tissues, vessels and organs that help your body fight infection. It’s considered a blood cancer because the condition starts in white blood cells (lymphocytes) in your lymphatic system.

There are two main lymphoma categories — Hodgkin lymphoma and non-Hodgkin lymphoma — and more than 70 lymphoma subtypes. Lymphomas can be aggressive (fast-growing) or indolent (slow-growing). Often, treatment can put lymphoma into remission or cure it. Children, teenagers and adults may develop lymphoma. This article focuses on lymphomas that affect adults.

Is lymphoma a common illness?

No, lymphoma isn’t common. The American Cancer Society estimates 89,000 people in the U.S. will be diagnosed with lymphoma in 2023. For comparison, 236,740 people in the U.S. will receive a lung cancer diagnosis in 2023.

Who is affected by lymphoma?

Non-Hodgkin typically affects ages 60 to 80. It’s more common in men and people assigned male at birth (AMAB) than in women and people assigned female at birth (AFAB).

Hodgkin lymphoma may affect people between the ages of 20 to 39 and at or over age 65. Men and people AMAB are slightly more likely to develop Hodgkin lymphoma than women and people AFAB.