Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma

The National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) states that each type of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL) is divided into subtypes based on the type of tumor and how quickly the lymphoma is growing (indolent or aggressive). The NCCN lists the following as the three major types of lymphoma:

• B-cell lymphoma starts in B-lymphocytes, a type of white blood cell that makes antibodies. This is the most common type of NHL.

• T-cell lymphoma starts in T-lymphocytes, a type of white blood cell that attacks bacteria and viruses in your body.

• NK-cell lymphoma starts in natural killer cell lymphocytes which attack substances that they do not recognize as part of your own body. This type of lymphoma is very uncommon.

The most common subtypes of NHL include:

• Indolent (slow growing) B-cell lymphomas

• Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)/small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL)

• Follicular lymphoma  

• MALT (mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue) lymphoma

• Splenic marginal zone lymphoma

• Nodal marginal zone lymphoma

• Aggressive (fast growing) B-cell lymphomas

• Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma

• Mantle cell lymphoma

• Highly aggressive B-cell lymphomas

• Burkitt lymphoma

• Lymphoblastic lymphoma

• AIDS-related B-cell lymphoma

• Peripheral T-cell lymphoma

• Cutaneous T-cell lymphoma

• Mycosis fungoides

• Sezary syndromes

Sources

National Comprehensive Cancer Network. (2009). Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Retrieved January 4, 2010 from http://www.nccn.com/Treatment-Summaries/Default.aspx?id=2875.

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