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Health condition · Clinically reviewed

Lymphoma, a cancer of the lymphatic system - and how it is treated today.

Lymphoma covers two broad families - Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin - each with its own subtypes, pace and treatment path. A specialist commissioned haematology-oncology MDT decides what is right for you.

Jump to treatment
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Why trust this guide

  • 01

    Clinically reviewed

    Written by our editorial team and reviewed by a registered UK clinician before publication.

  • 02

    Sourced from guidance

    Checked against NICE, the British Society for Haematology and peer-reviewed sources you can see at the end.

  • 03

    Current for 2026

    Reflects modern UK guidance including CAR-T cell therapy, checkpoint inhibitors and PET-CT staging.

Key facts

Lymphoma at a glance.

The essentials, in plain English - what it is, the subtypes, and how it is diagnosed and treated in the UK today.

  • What it is

    A cancer of the lymphatic system that begins in lymphocytes - the white blood cells that normally fight infection.

  • Two broad families

    Hodgkin lymphoma and non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) - distinguished under the microscope by the presence or absence of Reed-Sternberg cells.

  • NHL subtypes

    B-cell (DLBCL, follicular, MALT, Burkitt) and T-cell subtypes - each with its own behaviour, pace and treatment path.

  • Core symptom

    Painless, enlarged lymph nodes - often in the neck, armpit or groin - sometimes with fever, night sweats and weight loss.

  • How it is staged

    PET-CT scanning plus a lymph node biopsy and, where indicated, a bone marrow biopsy define the stage and subtype.

  • How it is treated

    Chemotherapy regimens such as ABVD or R-CHOP, immunotherapy, CAR-T cell therapy, stem cell transplant and radiotherapy - chosen by an MDT.

Two broad families

Hodgkin lymphoma versus non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

The word "lymphoma" covers a wide range of conditions. The first and most important distinction your specialist makes is which family yours belongs to.

About 10 to 15% of cases

Hodgkin lymphoma

Defined by the presence of Reed-Sternberg cells under the microscope. It typically spreads in an orderly way from one lymph node group to the next and has some of the best cure rates of any adult cancer, especially in younger patients.

Read our full Hodgkin’s lymphoma guide

About 85 to 90% of cases

Non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL)

A much larger and more varied group, split into B-cell subtypes (diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, follicular lymphoma, MALT lymphoma and Burkitt lymphoma among others) and T-cell subtypes. Behaviour ranges from slow-growing to rapidly aggressive.

Compare Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin lymphoma in depth

Within non-Hodgkin lymphoma

Some of the most commonly diagnosed NHL subtypes.

  • DLBCL

    Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma - the most common aggressive NHL, usually treated with R-CHOP.

  • Follicular lymphoma

    A slower-growing B-cell lymphoma, often managed over years with periods of watchful waiting.

  • MALT lymphoma

    Mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma, often gastric and linked to H. pylori infection. Read more →

  • Burkitt lymphoma

    A rare, rapidly growing B-cell lymphoma needing urgent, intensive treatment. Read more →

How the diagnosis is made

From a swollen node to a precise diagnosis.

The steps a UK haematology-oncology team will normally follow, in order - so you know what to expect and why each test matters.

  1. 01

    Assessing

    Lymph node examination

    A clinician examines the neck, armpits, groin and abdomen for enlarged, painless, rubbery nodes.

  2. 02

    Assessing

    Blood tests

    Full blood count, LDH, liver and renal function, and inflammatory markers help build the initial picture.

  3. 03

    Assessing

    Lymph node biopsy

    An excision or core biopsy of an affected node is the definitive step - it confirms lymphoma and identifies the exact subtype.

  4. 04

    Confirming

    Molecular and IHC profiling

    Immunohistochemistry and molecular testing classify the lymphoma precisely - Hodgkin versus non-Hodgkin, and the specific B-cell or T-cell subtype.

  5. 05

    Confirming

    PET-CT staging

    Whole-body PET-CT maps every site of disease and sets the stage (I to IV), guiding how aggressive treatment needs to be.

  6. 06

    Confirming

    Bone marrow biopsy

    Performed when marrow involvement is suspected or staging requires it - taken from the back of the pelvis under local anaesthetic.

  7. 07

    Planning

    Haematology-oncology MDT review

    A specialist commissioned multidisciplinary team - haematologists, oncologists, radiologists and pathologists - agrees the treatment plan.

Typical timeline: biopsy result to an agreed MDT treatment plan within two to three weeks.

Symptoms

What lymphoma actually looks like.

Painless swollen nodes plus, in some, the classic B symptoms. And the features that mean it's time to seek urgent assessment.

  • Painless lymphadenopathy

    Firm, rubbery, painless swelling of lymph nodes in the neck, armpit or groin - the most common first sign.

  • B symptoms

    Fever, drenching night sweats and unintentional weight loss - a recognised cluster that influences staging and prognosis.

  • Fatigue

    Persistent, unexplained tiredness that does not improve with rest - common across both Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

  • Pruritus

    Generalised itching without a rash, sometimes intense - a recognised presenting feature, particularly in Hodgkin lymphoma.

  • Extranodal involvement

    Disease outside the lymph nodes - skin, gut, bone or the central nervous system - more typical of certain NHL subtypes.

  • Chest or abdominal mass

    Enlarged nodes deep in the chest or abdomen can cause breathlessness, cough, or abdominal fullness and discomfort.

  • Recurrent infections

    A weakened immune response as lymphoma affects normal lymphocyte function, leading to more frequent illness.

  • Red flag - rapid node growth

    Lymph nodes enlarging quickly, feeling hard or fixed, or accompanied by B symptoms warrant urgent assessment.

Treatment

How lymphoma is treated in the UK.

Chemotherapy regimens tailored to subtype, immunotherapy and biologics, CAR-T cell therapy for relapsed disease, stem cell transplant and radiotherapy - agreed by a specialist commissioned haematology-oncology MDT.

  • ABVD chemotherapy

    The standard regimen for classical Hodgkin lymphoma - Adriamycin, bleomycin, vinblastine and dacarbazine, usually given over several months.

  • R-CHOP chemotherapy

    The backbone regimen for diffuse large B-cell lymphoma - rituximab combined with cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine and prednisolone.

  • Rituximab and biologics

    A monoclonal antibody targeting CD20 on B-cells - used alone or combined with chemotherapy across most B-cell lymphomas.

  • Brentuximab vedotin

    An antibody-drug conjugate targeting CD30 - used in relapsed or refractory Hodgkin lymphoma and some T-cell lymphomas.

  • Checkpoint inhibitors

    Immunotherapy such as nivolumab or pembrolizumab - reactivates the immune system against lymphoma cells, particularly in relapsed Hodgkin disease.

  • CAR-T cell therapy

    Engineered T-cells reprogrammed to target lymphoma - reserved for relapsed or refractory large B-cell lymphoma after other treatments have failed.

  • Stem cell transplant

    Autologous or, less commonly, allogeneic transplant following high-dose chemotherapy - used for relapsed disease or as consolidation.

  • Radiotherapy

    Targeted radiotherapy for localised, early-stage disease or to consolidate a response after chemotherapy.

A note on access

These treatments are specialist commissioned.

Chemotherapy regimens, CAR-T cell therapy and stem cell transplant are delivered through NHS specialist commissioned haematology-oncology services, with private options available through consultant-led pathways. Your MDT will confirm which route applies to your subtype and stage.

What this guide is based on

The sources behind every claim on this page.

UK national guidance, specialist society standards and dedicated blood cancer charities, current at the time of last review.

Key references

Guidelines and standards we relied on.

A quiet reminder

This guide is for information, not medical advice.

Your haematologist or oncologist knows your subtype, stage and history and can tell you which parts apply to you. If in doubt, get seen.

  • NICE. Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma: diagnosis and management (NG52).

  • British Society for Haematology. Guidelines on the diagnosis and management of lymphoma.

  • NHS England. Specialist commissioned haematology-oncology and CAR-T cell therapy services.

  • Lymphoma Action and Blood Cancer UK. Patient information and support resources.

Red flags

When lymphoma needs urgent attention.

Most lymphoma care runs on a planned specialist timetable. These are the situations that cannot wait for the next routine appointment.

  • Rapidly enlarging lymph nodes

    Nodes that double in size over days to weeks, or feel hard and fixed to surrounding tissue, need urgent specialist assessment.

  • B symptoms with lymphadenopathy

    Fever, night sweats and weight loss alongside swollen nodes is a recognised red-flag combination that should not wait.

  • Superior vena cava obstruction

    Facial or neck swelling, breathlessness and distended neck veins from a chest mass compressing the SVC is a medical emergency.

  • Spinal cord or nerve compression

    Back pain with leg weakness or numbness may signal cord compression from lymphoma - this needs same-day imaging and treatment.

  • Tumour lysis syndrome

    A dangerous metabolic complication that can follow rapid treatment response in fast-growing lymphomas such as Burkitt lymphoma - needs inpatient monitoring.

  • Neutropenic sepsis during treatment

    Fever during chemotherapy is an emergency - it can signal life-threatening infection when the immune system is suppressed.

  • Unexplained persistent fatigue

    Fatigue that is severe, progressive and unexplained, especially alongside night sweats, deserves prompt blood tests and examination.

  • New neurological symptoms

    Headache, confusion or seizures can indicate central nervous system involvement in certain aggressive lymphomas.

  • Persistent unexplained itching

    Generalised pruritus without a rash that persists for weeks, particularly with weight loss, warrants investigation.

Living with it

A demanding journey, with real support available.

Four things that make the biggest difference day to day during and after treatment - keeping your follow-up schedule, protecting against infection, pacing fatigue, and leaning on specialist support.

A quiet reminder

You do not have to navigate this alone.

Lymphoma Action and Blood Cancer UK run dedicated helplines and peer-support networks specifically for people living with lymphoma and their families.

  1. 01 Monitor

    Know your follow-up schedule

    Regular clinic reviews, blood tests and interval scans track response and catch relapse early - keep every appointment.

  2. 02 Immunity

    Protect against infection

    Chemotherapy and immunotherapy can lower your immune defences - avoid known infection risks and seek help early for fevers.

  3. 03 Fatigue

    Pace your energy

    Fatigue during and after treatment is common and can persist for months - gentle activity and planned rest both help recovery.

  4. 04 Support

    Use specialist charities

    Lymphoma Action and Blood Cancer UK offer helplines, peer support and practical guidance alongside your clinical team.

Frequently asked

Everything we get asked about lymphoma.

Quick answers on Hodgkin versus non-Hodgkin, subtypes, diagnosis and treatment.

  • What is lymphoma?

    Lymphoma is a cancer of the lymphatic system that starts in lymphocytes, the white blood cells that normally help fight infection. It is broadly divided into Hodgkin lymphoma and non-Hodgkin lymphoma, each with distinct subtypes and treatment approaches.

  • What is the difference between Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin lymphoma?

    Hodgkin lymphoma is identified by the presence of Reed-Sternberg cells under the microscope and tends to spread predictably between adjacent lymph node groups. Non-Hodgkin lymphoma covers a much wider group of B-cell and T-cell subtypes with more varied behaviour. See our dedicated guides on hodgkin and non-hodgkin lymphoma and hodgkin’s lymphoma for more detail.

  • What are the main subtypes of non-Hodgkin lymphoma?

    NHL includes B-cell subtypes such as diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), follicular lymphoma, MALT lymphoma and Burkitt lymphoma, as well as several T-cell subtypes. Each behaves and is treated differently, from slow-growing to rapidly progressive disease.

  • How is lymphoma diagnosed?

    Diagnosis relies on a lymph node biopsy to confirm the cancer and identify its exact subtype, supported by PET-CT staging to map the extent of disease and, where needed, a bone marrow biopsy. Molecular and immunohistochemical profiling refine the diagnosis further.

  • What treatments are available for lymphoma?

    Treatment depends on the subtype and stage, and can include chemotherapy regimens such as ABVD or R-CHOP, immunotherapy and biologics like rituximab or brentuximab vedotin, checkpoint inhibitors, CAR-T cell therapy for relapsed or refractory disease, stem cell transplant, and radiotherapy for localised disease.

  • Is lymphoma curable?

    Many lymphomas, particularly Hodgkin lymphoma and several NHL subtypes, have high cure rates with modern treatment. Outcomes depend heavily on subtype, stage and response to initial therapy, which is why specialist commissioned haematology-oncology MDT input is so important.

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