What's the difference between Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin lymphoma?
Both are blood cancers that start in the lymphatic system, but they have some key differences:
The Main Difference
The primary distinction is the presence of Reed-Sternberg cells. These specialized cells are found in Hodgkin lymphoma but absent in Show Full Answer
What's the difference between Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin lymphoma?
Both are blood cancers that start in the lymphatic system, but they have some key differences:
The Main Difference:
The primary distinction is the presence of Reed-Sternberg cells. These specialized cells are found in Hodgkin lymphoma but absent in non-Hodgkin lymphoma. A doctor can identify these cells by examining a biopsy under a microscope.
How Common They Are:
Non-Hodgkin lymphoma is much more common than Hodgkin lymphoma. NHL accounts for about 4% of all cancer diagnoses in the U.S., with over 80,000 new cases yearly.
Age at Diagnosis:
Non-Hodgkin lymphoma most often affects older adults, typically diagnosed between ages 65-74. Hodgkin lymphoma can occur at various ages but follows a different pattern.
How They Spread:
Hodgkin lymphoma spreads through the body in a predictable pattern, while non-Hodgkin lymphoma spreads less predictably.
Prognosis:
Both are very treatable. More than 80% of people with Hodgkin lymphoma and 63-82% of people with non-Hodgkin lymphoma are disease-free at least five years after treatment.
Despite these differences, both types share similar symptoms, diagnostic procedures, and treatment options.
January 27
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