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.
Can 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.
What are the 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 puts them out of reach — so a treatable cancer too often becomes a fatal one. World Aid Network funds treatment through locally-licensed oncologists for patients who cannot pay.
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.
This guide is general information, not medical advice. It was reviewed by the World Aid Network editorial team for accuracy against NHS and World Health Organization sources. Always speak to a GP or qualified clinician about your own health.