Is lymphoma deadly?

Not medical advice: Sadly, lymphoma can be deadly. The two main types of lyphoma are Hodgkin lymphoma and non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

The good news is that most patients with Hodgkin lymphoma live for a long time after successful treatment. The bad news is that out of 9,190 new cases this year (4,120 in females and 5,070 in males), about 1,180 people (510 females, 670 males) will die from the disease.

Between 30 and 60% of patients with an aggressive form of non-Hodgkin lymphoma can be cured. The overall 5-year relative survival rate is 69% and the 10-year relative survival rate is 58%.

Hodgkin’s lymphoma is usually treated with chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Non-hodgkin's lymphoma is mainly treated by chemotherapy, but some people may undergo radiation or monoclonal antibody therapy as well.

Great news! Mayo Clinic researchers say that a mutated gene frequently found in Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma may help them develop new treatments for the nearly 70,000 Americans who are affected by the disease each year. Read the details of the study at PubMed.gov.