Hodgkin Lymphoma vs. Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma

Lymphomas are cancers that begin in a type of white blood cell called a lymphocyte. These disease-fighting cells are found in the lymphatic system, which is part of the body’s immune system. When considering Hodgkin lymphoma vs. non-Hodgkin lymphoma, the difference is in the type of lymphocyte involved.

What Is the Difference Between Hodgkin and Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma?

So, exactly what is the difference between Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin lymphoma? The determination of Hodgkin lymphoma vs. non-Hodgkin lymphoma is made by a doctor, who looks at the cancer cells with a microscope.

If an abnormal cell, called a Reed-Sternberg cell, is present, the cancer is classified as Hodgkin lymphoma. If that type of cell isn’t present, the cancer is non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

Both conditions frequently produce painless swelling of the lymph nodes, most commonly in the neck, armpits or groin. However, non-Hodgkin lymphoma is more likely to involve lymph nodes deep within the abdomen and to spread unpredictably to multiple areas in the body.

Proper diagnosis is crucial since the two diseases follow different courses and have different treatment options.

Which Type of Lymphoma Is More Common?

Non-Hodgkin lymphoma is more common than Hodgkin lymphoma, and men have a slightly higher incidence of both conditions. You can be diagnosed with either disease at any age, but the majority of non-Hodgkin lymphoma cases are diagnosed in patients who are 55 or older. The median age for a Hodgkin lymphoma diagnosis is 39.

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What Are Other Symptoms of Lymphoma?

Besides lymph node swelling, Hodgkin lymphoma and non-Hodgkin lymphoma can cause fever, chills, persistent fatigue, drenching night sweats and unexplained weight loss. Patients may also experience a cough, trouble breathing, chest pain or pressure, abdominal pain or swelling, feeling full after eating a small amount, nausea and vomiting. Additional symptoms include persistent skin itching, a skin rash or red or purple lumps under the skin.

Hodgkin lymphoma patients may also have symptoms caused by inflammation. For example, they may experience pain in their lymph nodes when drinking alcohol or taking a hot bath.

In some cases, non-cancerous conditions can produce some of the same symptoms as Hodgkin lymphoma. An inflammatory disease called sarcoidosis is one example. Consequently, a careful and well-supported diagnosis is critical.

How Are Hodgkin and Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma Treated?

The treatment for early-stage Hodgkin lymphoma most often includes a combination of chemotherapy (using anti-cancer drugs) and radiation therapy. For later-stage disease, chemotherapy is sometimes combined with a protein-targeting biologic agent. Stem cell transplants may also be necessary if the patient doesn’t respond to chemotherapy or if the cancer returns.

Non-Hodgkin lymphoma is typically treated with chemotherapy alone, with the type of drug selected based on the aggressiveness of the cancer. Following chemotherapy, a stem cell transplant is generally given rather than waiting to see if the patient relapses.

Advances in Lymphoma Treatment

Researchers and physicians are also working on lymphoma treatments that don’t produce the kinds of side effects that chemotherapy does. Immunotherapy is one example.

Immunotherapy trains the body’s immune system to attack lymphoma cells. Another new approach is called CAR T cell therapy. It involves making modifications to T cells (a type of white blood cell), so they target a specific protein in lymphoma cells.

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