NHL are a heterogeneous group of neoplasms that originate in any of the lymphoid cells: B cells, T cells, or NK cells.4 There are over 60 subtypes identified by the World Health Organization, each categorized by cell of origin, histological appearance, immunophenotype, and genetic characteristics.5
B–cell lymphomas account for about 85% of NHL. Major NHL subtypes include8:
- Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL): ~31%
- Chronic lymphocytic leukemia/small lymphocytic lymphoma (CLL/SLL): ~6%
- Follicular lymphoma (FL): ~22%
- Marginal zone lymphoma (MZL): ~8%
- Mantle cell lymphoma (MCL): ~6% (US); 7% to 9% (Europe)7
- Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia (WM): ~<1%
NHL subtypes are further characterized according to how the disease progresses.8
- Indolent lymphomas
- Slow-progressing
- Few signs and symptoms when first diagnosed
- About 40% of all NHL cases
- FL is the most common subtype of indolent NHL
- Aggressive lymphomas
- Fast-progressing
- Account for about 60% of all NHL cases
- DLBCL is the most common subtype of aggressive NHL
- MCL shares some characteristics of both indolent and aggressive NHLs