In short
Hodgkin lymphoma contains Reed-Sternberg cells and is often treated with combination chemotherapy, sometimes with radiotherapy, with UK five-year survival around 85%. Non-Hodgkin lymphoma covers many subtypes, from slow follicular lymphoma that may be watched to aggressive large-cell lymphomas that need treatment quickly. The biopsy report is what decides the plan.
Do not treat ‘lymphoma’ as one disease. Ask the team for the subtype name.
How is the type confirmed?
A surgical or core biopsy of a gland is examined under the microscope and with special stains. Blood tests and PET-CT then show how far it has spread. Some people also have a bone-marrow test.
What does watch and wait mean?
Some slow-growing non-Hodgkin lymphomas cause few problems at first. Monitoring with clinics and scans avoids treatment side effects until they are needed. It is not being ignored.
Help a patient afford cancer care
Gifts go to the Cancer Emergency Appeal’s wider fund for patients who cannot pay. They do not buy a guaranteed treatment or result.
Donate to cancer careCan lymphoma be cured?
Many Hodgkin lymphomas and some aggressive non-Hodgkin lymphomas are treated with curative intent. Slow types may be controlled over years. UK statistics are not a promise for any one person.
Key takeaways
- Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin are different diseases.
- A biopsy confirms the subtype.
- Some slow lymphomas are monitored first.
- Hodgkin lymphoma often has high UK survival.
Care like this is out of reach for millions
The diagnosis, screening and treatment described here are routine in the UK. In Pakistan, Indonesia and Malaysia, poverty can put them out of reach. The Cancer Emergency Appeal raises funds towards clinically recommended care for patients who cannot pay; gifts go to the wider fund and do not buy a guaranteed treatment or result.
Frequently asked questions
Is lymphoma a blood cancer?
It is a cancer of lymphocytes, which are white blood cells, starting in glands and lymphatic tissue. It is grouped with blood cancers.
Does lymphoma always need chemotherapy?
No. Some slow types are watched. Some localised Hodgkin lymphoma is treated with a short course of chemo plus radiotherapy.
Does WAN treat lymphoma in the UK?
No. NHS haematology treats UK patients. We fund poor patients overseas where partners can deliver care.
Editorial summary of published sources. A named oncology clinician has not signed off this guide. Use it to prepare questions for your healthcare team, not to diagnose symptoms or choose treatment. Editorial responsibility: Kaiser Khan. Updated 4 October 2026.
What are the sources for this guide?
Follow the original guidance for its evidence, dates and limitations. General background references are not a clinical review of this page.