Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma

The problem with trying to put things in boxes is that sometimes boxes change. The original classification of Hodgkin's and non-Hodgkin's was due to the fact that the former was more responsive to radiation. Nowadays, with our increased understanding of pathophysiology, there are tens of different types of lymphoma.

However, as a medical student, you should probably know that it is similar in many ways, such as presentation, risk factors and epidemiology to Hodgkin's. However, it differs on the following:

Pathophysiology

Whereas Hodgkin's just involves B cells, NHL can involve any of the lymphocytes, because its an umbrella term for lots of different cancers. The most common ones are also B cells, but they can be T, or MALT, or others.

Management

Low grade NHL can be difficult to cure, but can be treated for many years with courses of chemotherapy, leading to a remission for 5 years, then treatment again, leading to remission, etc, etc.

Higher grade NHL needs chemotherapy and steroids, but is more likely to achieve a complete cure. That said, if a cure doesn't happen, it will kill you much faster than low grade.

Prognosis

Around 50% of people survive 5 years, and 40% survive 10. This, of course, varies based on what type you have. The 5 year survival is slightly higher for the high grade lymphomas.