Lymphoma Information Network - Comparing Hodgkin's and Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma

Lymphoma Information Network - Hodgkin's Disease and the Non-Hodgkin's Lymphomas

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How is Hodgkin's Lymphoma and the Non-Hodgkin's Lymphomas Different?

All lymphomas are subdivided based on the type of white blood cells (lymphocytes) that are cancerous. Below is a list of comparison of Hodgkin's & Non-Hodgkin's:

	Hodgkin's Lymphoma	Non-Hodgkin's Lymphomas
Age	Average age is 27.7 with two age peaks, the major one between 15 and 24 with a lesser peak after age 55.	Average age is about 67.
Chance of getting in all people over an entire lifetime (USA)	Men 0.23% Women 0.20%	Men 2.12% Women 1.79%
Occurrence	About 15% of all lymphomas	About 85% of all lymphomas
Location	The disease occurs most often in lymph nodes above the collar bone. In Hodgkin's it is also more likely to appear in the chest cavity between the lungs (the mediastinum), particularly in younger patients. Only about 15% to 20% of cases are found in areas below the diaphragm. Disease occurs outside the nodes in about 4% of cases.	The disease occurs most often in lymph nodes above the collar bone. In NHL it is also more likely to appear in the nodes in the abdomen (called the mesenteric nodes). The disease occurs in the chest cavity in less than 40% of patients. (An exception, lymphoblastic lymphoma, which is seen most often in young people, is likely to first appear in the chest.) Disease occurs outside the nodes in about 23% of patients. Slow-growing lymphomas are common in the liver and bone marrow.
Affected Lymph Cells	B-Lymphocytes characterized by the Reed-Sternberg Cell	B-Lymphocytes, T-Lymphocytes or Natural Killer (NK) Cells depending on the subtype
Symptoms	More likely than NHL (40%) to have systemic ("B") symptoms (such as fever and night sweats) at the time of diagnosis.	Less likely than HL to have systemic ("B") symptoms (27%) at the time of diagnosis.
Progression	Less likely than NHL to be diagnosed in stage IV (10%). Hodgkin's disease usually progresses in an orderly way from one lymph node region to the next. This process may be slow, particularly in younger people, or very aggressive. The disease typically spreads downward from the initial site. If it spreads below the diaphragm, it usually reaches the spleen first; the disease then may spread to the liver and bone marrow. If the disease starts in the nodes in the middle of the chest, it may spread outward to the chest wall and areas around the heart and lungs.	More likely than HD to be diagnosed in stage IV (36%) but this will vary by NHL subtype. The Non-Hodgkin's lymphomas are less predictable in their course than Hodgkin's and they are more apt to spread.

References:

Lymphoma Classification and Typing
SEER Cancer Incidence Rates, NCI
Paper Lymphoma (Non-Hodgkin's) for Well Connected / A.D.A.M., reviewed by Harvey Simon, MD. 12/31/2002

General Lymphoma Information

Adult Lymphomas

Hodgkin's Disease

Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma

Childhood Lymphomas

Childhood Lymphomas

Other lymphoma information sources can be found on the
Lymphoma Information Network Home Page.

The information presented here is general in nature and compiled by a researcher, not a medical professional. For information relating to a specific person or medical case please contact a qualified physician or medical team.