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Why can Hodgkin lymphoma be cured while Non-Hodgkin lymphoma CANNOT be cured and is chronic and indolent?

A MyLymphomaTeam Member asked a question 💭
January 31
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Signs and Symptoms of Hodgkin and Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma Read Article...

Answer Summary

Members explored the important question of why Hodgkin lymphoma can be cured while many Non-Hodgkin lymphoma types cannot, with clarifying... Read more

Members explored the important question of why Hodgkin lymphoma can be cured while many Non-Hodgkin lymphoma types cannot, with clarifying details emerging that some NHL subtypes, like Diffuse Large B-Cell and Primary Cutaneous Marginal Zone B-Cell NHL, can actually be cured. One member offered real encouragement by sharing 28 years of living with indolent follicular NHL, reaching complete remission through a clinical trial and noting that treatment options today are far better than they were decades ago. A recurring theme was hope, as one member celebrated learning their specific diagnosis was curable, and the community expressed a shared wish for cures across all NHL subtypes.

MyLymphomaTeam

Why can Hodgkin lymphoma be cured while non-Hodgkin lymphoma cannot be cured and is chronic and indolent?

It's important to clarify that not all non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) is incurable or indolent. The picture is more nuanced than that.

About Hodgkin Lymphoma:

Hodgkin lymphoma is highly treatable, with about 80% of Show Full Answer

Why can Hodgkin lymphoma be cured while non-Hodgkin lymphoma cannot be cured and is chronic and indolent?

It's important to clarify that not all non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) is incurable or indolent. The picture is more nuanced than that.

About Hodgkin Lymphoma:

Hodgkin lymphoma is highly treatable, with about 80% of people achieving complete cure. The cure rate is even higher (nearly 90%) for younger individuals and those diagnosed early. This high cure rate is partly because Hodgkin lymphoma typically spreads in a predictable pattern from one lymph node to nearby ones, making it easier to target with treatment.

About Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma:

NHL is actually a diverse group of many different subtypes, and they behave very differently:

- Some NHL subtypes are aggressive (fast-growing) and can often be cured with treatment
- Other NHL subtypes are indolent (slow-growing) and are typically managed as chronic conditions rather than cured

About 40% of NHL cases are indolent types. These slow-growing lymphomas often can't be cured, but treatments can keep them under control for many years. Many people with indolent NHL live long, healthy lives managing it as a chronic condition.

However, aggressive NHL types can often achieve complete remission and potential cure, similar to Hodgkin lymphoma.

Overall, 63% to 82% of people with NHL are disease-free at least five years after diagnosis and treatment.

January 31
A MyLymphomaTeam Member

@A MyLymphomaTeam Member I'm SO happy that you found out it can be cured! That's such amazing news for you! 🎉💜

May 20
A MyLymphomaTeam Member

@A MyLymphomaTeam Member You are correct that Follicular B-Cell NHL has no cure. Neither has Marginal Zone B-Cell NHL. Diffuse large B-Cell NHL can be cured. Additionally, Primary Cutaneous Marginal Zone B-Cell NHL extra nodal can be cured. I learned that today.

May 20 (edited)
A MyLymphomaTeam Member

@A MyLymphomaTeam Member
You are correct that diffuse large B cell NHL can be cured. However, follicular B cell NHL, and other indolent (slow growing) forms, is considered a chronic cancer with no cure at this time.

May 20 (edited)
A MyLymphomaTeam Member

@A MyLymphomaTeam Member
Hi, Scottie! I'm sorry that I don't enough about Primary Cutaneous Marginal Zone extra nodal NHL to help you much. I hope you're doing well!
Hugs,
Julie

May 19

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