What is the survival rate of non-Hodgkin lymphomas? Studies show that overall, 73% percent of people with these conditions are alive five years after their diagnosis. In general, people diagnosed before the condition spreads live longer than people who are diagnosed after the condition spreads.
The 5-year survival rate for NHL in the United States is 74%. The survival rates for NHL vary based on several factors. These include the stage and subtype of cancer, a person's age and general health, and how well the treatment plan works. For stage I NHL, the 5-year relative survival rate is more than 86%.
Many people with high-grade NHL are cured. But if the lymphoma does not completely respond to treatment your doctor may talk to you about having more intensive treatment.
With early diagnosis and advanced treatment methods, non-Hodgkin lymphoma has a high survival rate. If the cancer is confined to a single region, it has about an 83% survival rate. Even the most advanced stage of non-Hodgkin lymphoma has a survival rate greater than 60%.
Non-Hodgkin lymphoma is a disease in which malignant (cancer) cells form in the lymph system. Non-Hodgkin lymphoma can be indolent or aggressive. Older age, being male, and having a weakened immune system can increase the risk of adult non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
Non-Hodgkin lymphoma is caused by a change (mutation) in the DNA of a type of white blood cell called lymphocytes, although the exact reason why this happens isn't known. DNA gives cells a basic set of instructions, such as when to grow and reproduce.
Lymphoma most often spreads to the liver, bone marrow, or lungs. Stage III-IV lymphomas are common, still very treatable, and often curable, depending on the NHL subtype. Stage III and stage IV are now considered a single category because they have the same treatment and prognosis.
You might have a short course of chemotherapy and a targeted drug, followed by radiotherapy to the affected lymph nodes. A short course of treatment usually takes about 6 to 12 weeks.
The treatment usually lasts for at least 6 months. But sometimes you have treatment once a week instead of once every few weeks. In this case the treatment lasts for 3 or 4 months.
Non-Hodgkin lymphoma occurs more frequently among men than among women. It also occurs more frequently among Whites than among Blacks. Although children can get non-Hodgkin lymphoma, the risk of getting lymphoma increases with age. Approximately 70% of people diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma are age 50 and over.
NHL Stages
Stage IV is the most advanced. You may see an “E” after stages I, II, or III -- that stands for extranodal. It means the lymphoma is in one area outside your lymph system.
People with NHL most often die from infections, bleeding or organ failure resulting from metastases. A serious infection or sudden bleeding can quickly lead to death, even if someone doesn't appear very ill.
Stage 4 lymphoma means that cancer has spread to an organ external to the lymphatic system. The survival rates vary widely depending on an individual's risk factors and type of cancer. The survival rate of stage 4 lymphoma is lower than that of the other stages, but doctors can cure the condition in some cases.
Blood tests are not used to diagnose lymphoma, but they can sometimes help determine how advanced the lymphoma is.
A common treatment is 6 courses of chemo with CHOP plus rituximab (R-CHOP). This may be followed by radiation to the mediastinum. Often a PET/CT scan is done after the chemo to see if there's any lymphoma remaining in the chest.
The overall 5-year relative survival rate for people with NHL is 74%. But it's important to keep in mind that survival rates can vary widely for different types and stages of lymphoma.
The ABVD regimen (for at least 6 cycles) is often used, but some doctors favor more intense treatment with the Stanford V regimen for 3 cycles, or up to 8 cycles of the BEACOPP regimen if there are several unfavorable prognostic factors.
Most people with Hodgkin lymphoma or high-grade non-Hodgkin lymphoma who go into remission do not relapse. However, some types of high-grade non-Hodgkin lymphoma are likely to relapse.
Regardless of how quickly they grow, all non-Hodgkin lymphomas can spread to other parts of the lymph system if not treated. Eventually, they can also spread to other parts of the body, such as the liver, brain, or bone marrow.
Non-Hodgkin lymphoma can cause lymph nodes to become enlarged. Enlarged lymph nodes close to the surface of the body (such as on the sides of the neck, in the groin or underarm areas, or above the collar bone), may be seen or felt as lumps under the skin. These are usually not painful.
Central nervous system lymphoma is a rare non-Hodgkin lymphoma in which malignant (cancer) cells from lymph tissue form in the brain and/or spinal cord (primary CNS) or spread from other parts of the body to the brain and/or spinal cord (secondary CNS).
Stage 4 non-Hodgkin's diffuse large B-cell lymphoma has a five-year relative survival rate of 57%. 1. Stage 4 non-Hodgkin's follicular lymphoma has a five-year relative survival rate of 86%. 1.
The most common sites are in the chest, neck, or under the arms. Hodgkin lymphoma most often spreads through the lymph vessels from lymph node to lymph node. Rarely, late in the disease, it can invade the bloodstream and spread to other parts of the body, such as the liver, lungs, and/or bone marrow.