The main difference between Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) and non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) is the presence of Reed-Sternberg cells. These specialized immune cells can be seen under a microscope during a biopsy and are present in HL but absent in NHL.
Both are blood cancers affecting the lymphatic system, but they differ in how Show Full Answer
The main difference between Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) and non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) is the presence of Reed-Sternberg cells. These specialized immune cells can be seen under a microscope during a biopsy and are present in HL but absent in NHL.
Both are blood cancers affecting the lymphatic system, but they differ in how common they are. NHL is the most common type of blood cancer worldwide, with about 81,500 new cases diagnosed annually in the United States. Age at diagnosis is another key difference. NHL occurs most frequently in older adults, particularly between ages 65-74. The diseases also have different survival rates - more than 80% of people with HL are disease-free five years after diagnosis, while the five-year disease-free rate for NHL ranges from 63% to 82%.
Despite these differences, both types share similar risk factors, symptoms, and treatment options, including chemotherapy and stem cell transplantation when needed.
July 15, 2025
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