About Lymphoma non-Hodgkin
Non-Hodgkin lymphomas can occur at any age and are often marked by lymph nodes that are larger than normal, fever, and weight loss. There are many different types of non-Hodgkin lymphoma. These types can be divided into aggressive (fast-growing) and indolent (slow-growing) types, and they can be formed from either B-cells or T-cells. B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphomas include Burkitt lymphoma, chronic lymphocytic leukemia/small lymphocytic lymphoma (CLL/SLL), diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), follicular lymphoma, immunoblastic large cell lymphoma, precursor B-lymphoblastic lymphoma, and mantle cell lymphoma. T-cell non-Hodgkin lymphomas include mycosis fungoides, anaplastic large cell lymphoma, and precursor T-lymphoblastic lymphoma. Lymphomas that occur after bone marrow or stem cell transplantation are usually B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphomas. Prognosis and treatment depend on the stage and type of disease.
Difuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma
DLBCL is a cancer of B-lymphocytes in the lymphatic system.1 Molecular, pathogenic, and clinical features distinguish 2 subtypes of DLBCL2:
- Germinal center B-cell–like DLBCL, originating in germinal center B cells, has a 60% 5-year survival rate2
- Activated B-cell–like DLBCL, originating in the post germinal center B cell, has a 35% 5-year survival rate2
DLBCL Demographic Statistics
- DLBCL accounts for about 1 of every 3 cases of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma1
- DLBCL is usually aggressive, marked by rapidly growing tumors in lymph nodes, spleen, liver, bone marrow, or other organs5
DLBCL Epidemiology
- DLBCL occurs mostly in older people (average age is mid-60s).1 Immunocompromise (eg, due to HIV infection) is another risk factor1
- The 5-year survival rate for DLBCL is 50.4%3
The symptoms of DLBCL include rapidly growing tumors in the lymph nodes, spleen, liver, bone marrow, or other organs.5 Other symptoms include fever, night sweats, and weight loss.5
References:
1. American Cancer Society. Non-Hodgkin lymphoma. www.cancer.org/acs/groups/cid/documents/webcontent/003126-pdf.pdf. Accessed April 14, 2011
2. Lossos IS. Molecular pathogenesis of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. J Clin Oncol. 2005;23:6351-6357. PMID: 16155019
3. Clarke C, O’Malley C. Non-Hodgkin lymphoma. In SEER Survival Monograph. National Cancer Institute. www.seer.cancer.gov/publications/survival/surv_nonhodgkin.pdf. Accessed April 14, 2011.
4. US Department of Health and Human Services. National Cancer Institute. Sending the right signal. http://home.ccr.cancer.gov/inthejournals/staudt.asp. Accessed April, 22, 2011.
5. US Department of Health and Human Services. National Cancer Institute. What you need to know about™ non-Hodgkin lymphoma. NIH Publication No. 07-1567.