Types of Hodgkin's lymphoma
This page tells you about the different types of lymphoma. There is information on
Types of Hodgkin’s lymphoma
Hodgkin's lymphoma used to be called Hodgkin's disease. There are several different types of this cancer. The different types are put into groups according to how the cells look under a microscope. The groups are part of a classification system called the REAL classification. This stands for Revised European American Lymphoma classification. It is used to define all types of lymphoma.
The REAL classification puts Hodgkin's lymphoma into 2 groups
- Classical types
- Nodular lymphocyte predominant type
There are 4 main types within the classical group. A type called nodular sclerosing is the commonest of all types of Hodgkin's lymphoma in the UK. Nearly 6 out of 10 (60%) of all diagnosed cases are this type.
Only about 1 in 20 cases (5%) of Hodgkin's lymphoma are nodular lymphocyte predominant type.
You can view and print the quick guides for all the pages in the About Hodgkin's lymphoma section.
Hodgkin's lymphoma used to be called Hodgkin's disease. There are several different types of this cancer. The different types are put into groups according to how the cells look under a microscope. The groups are part of a classification system called the REAL classification. This stands for Revised European American Lymphoma classification. It is used to define all types of lymphoma, including the different types of non Hodgkin's lymphoma
The REAL classification puts Hodgkin's lymphoma into 2 groups
There are 4 main types within this group of classical Hodgkin's lymphoma. All these types are diagnosed when abnormal cells called Reed Sternberg cells are found in a lymph node looked at under a microscope. These are white blood cells called B lymphocytes that have become cancerous. The 4 types of classical Hodgkin's lymphoma are
- Nodular sclerosing
- Mixed cellularity
- Lymphocyte rich
- Lymphocyte depleted
Nodular sclerosing is the commonest of all types of Hodgkin's lymphoma in the UK. Nearly 6 out of 10 (60%) of all diagnosed cases are this type. Nodular sclerosing is the commonest form in young adults. It is usually picked up at an early stage from enlarged lymph nodes in the neck.
Most other classical Hodgkin's lymphoma cases are mixed cellularity or lymphocyte rich. About 15 out of every 100 cases (15%) of Hodgkin's lymphoma are mixed cellularity type. It can be more widespread when diagnosed. Another 1 in 10 cases (10%) are the lymphocyte rich type.
The lymphocyte depleted type of classical Hodgkin's lymphoma is rare.
Only about 1 in 20 cases (5%) of Hodgkin's lymphoma are this type. The main difference to the diagnosing doctor is that there are few or none of the typical Reed Sternberg cells. There are other abnormal cells that doctors call 'popcorn' cells. This type of Hodgkin's lymphoma is typically localised when it is diagnosed.
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