Non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) affects the lymphatic system, which includes a network of vessels, nodes, and ducts that help to maintain body fluid levels and remove cellular waste. It is more common than HL.
There are two broad categories of NHLs:
B-cell lymphomas (which account for about 85% of all NHLs)
T-cell lymphomas (which account for about 15% of all NHLs)
In terms of growth, NHLs are broken down into two categories:
Indolent = slow-growing
Aggressive = fast-growing
There are more than 90 types of NHLs overall. Although NHLs have traits in common, they may have different growth patterns, different appearances under a microscope, and different responses to treatment.
Symptoms include swollen lymph nodes, fever, night sweats, fatigue, and weight loss.
Quick Facts on Mantle Cell Lymphoma (MCL)12
Mantle cell lymphoma is a rare form of B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). It is considered a B-cell lymphoma because it affects the B-lymphocytes. Lymphocytes help your body fight infections.
This rare condition affects only about 1 in 200,000 people each year.
Within lymph nodes, there are compartments called lymphatic nodules. There is a ring of small lymphocytes that surround the center of each nodule—this is the mantle zone. With MCL, your body overproduces lymphocytes in the mantle zone.
MCL is an aggressive NHL, which means that it progresses quickly. It typically affects older adults between 60 and 70 years old.
The most common symptoms of MCL include swollen lymph nodes, fatigue, night sweats, fever, and unexplained weight loss.
MCL is typically diagnosed through a combination of physical examination, blood tests, imaging studies, and a lymph node biopsy.
Quick Facts on Follicular Lymphoma
Follicular lymphoma is a type of cancer that affects white blood cells called B-lymphocytes. Lymphocytes help your body fight infections.
Follicular lymphoma is a non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). It is also a B-cell lymphoma because it affects the B-lymphocytes.
Follicular lymphoma accounts for 20–40% of all NHLs in Western Europe and the United States.7
Follicular lymphoma is an indolent NHL, which means that it progresses slowly. People with follicular lymphoma may not notice any obvious symptoms of it.
Symptoms include swollen lymph nodes (especially in the part of the body where the lymphoma starts to grow), fever, night sweats, fatigue, and weight loss.8
Incidence of follicular lymphoma increases with age, and it is the most common form of indolent NHL.9
Quick Facts on Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma
Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is the most common of all NHLs worldwide.4
DLBCL is considered an aggressive or fast-growing NHL. It is also a B-cell lymphoma because it affects white blood cells called B-lymphocytes. Lymphocytes help your body fight infections.
Although DLBCL can affect children, and is one of the most common NHL subtypes in children,5 people over the age of 60 are most commonly affected by DLBCL.4
For many with DLBCL, the first symptom is rapid swelling in the neck, underarms, or groin. The swelling is caused by enlarged lymph nodes.6
Treatment will depend on the subtype of DLBCL. For example, there are subtypes that mostly occur in younger patients and affect the chest cavity, while there are other subtypes that only affect the brain.6
