What's the main difference between Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin lymphoma?
Congratulations on reaching remission! That's wonderful news after your 6 months of treatment.
The main difference between Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) and non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) comes down to the type of cancer cells present. When doctors look at a biopsy Show Full Answer
What's the main difference between Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin lymphoma?
Congratulations on reaching remission! That's wonderful news after your 6 months of treatment.
The main difference between Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) and non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) comes down to the type of cancer cells present. When doctors look at a biopsy under a microscope, they check for specialized cells called Reed-Sternberg cells. If these cells are present, it's Hodgkin lymphoma. If they're absent, it's non-Hodgkin lymphoma — like the B-cell type you were diagnosed with.
Here are some other key differences:
Age at diagnosis:
- Non-Hodgkin lymphoma typically affects older adults, with most diagnoses occurring in people ages 65 to 74
- Hodgkin lymphoma can occur at various ages
How common they are:
- Non-Hodgkin lymphoma is much more common, making up about 90% of all lymphomas
- Hodgkin lymphoma accounts for only about 10% of lymphomas
How they spread:
- Hodgkin lymphoma spreads through the body in a predictable pattern
- Non-Hodgkin lymphoma spreads less predictably
Subtypes:
- Hodgkin lymphoma has 2 main subtypes
- Non-Hodgkin lymphoma has over 60 different subtypes
Both types share similar symptoms (like enlarged lymph nodes, fatigue, night sweats, and unintentional weight loss) and can be treated with similar approaches, including chemotherapy and stem cell transplantation.
November 24, 2025
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