The short answer
Lymphoma is cancer of the lymph system and comes in two main groups. Hodgkin lymphoma has a specific cell (the Reed-Sternberg cell) and is often highly curable. Non-Hodgkin lymphoma is far more common, has many subtypes, and ranges from slow-growing to fast-growing. Treatment depends on the exact subtype.
Lymphoma is cancer of the lymph system, part of the immune defenses.
Hodgkin lymphoma is defined by the Reed-Sternberg cell and is often highly curable.
Non-Hodgkin lymphoma is much more common and has many subtypes.
Non-Hodgkin types range from slow-growing (indolent) to fast-growing (aggressive).
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This page explains the two main families of lymphoma, Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin, and how they differ in diagnosis, behavior, and treatment.
What lymphoma is
Lymphoma is cancer that starts in the lymphatic system. This is the network of lymph nodes and vessels that is part of your immune system. It develops when white blood cells called lymphocytes grow out of control. Doctors group lymphoma into two main families. These are Hodgkin lymphoma and non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
How doctors tell them apart
The key difference shows up under the microscope. Hodgkin lymphoma contains a specific abnormal cell. Doctors call it the Reed-Sternberg cell. This is a large cell, sometimes with more than one nucleus. It does not appear in non-Hodgkin lymphoma. A biopsy of an affected lymph node is how pathologists make this call. That means removing a sample and examining it under a microscope. Doctors also run blood tests and imaging, such as PET-CT or MRI. They may test for hepatitis and HIV too, since these can affect treatment choices.
Symptoms
Both types can cause similar symptoms. NCI lists swollen lymph nodes, fever, drenching night sweats, and weight loss. Itchy skin, especially after a bath, is another possible sign of Hodgkin lymphoma. These symptoms have many other causes too. But if any of them last, tell your doctor.
Hodgkin lymphoma
Hodgkin lymphoma is the less common of the two. SEER estimates about 8,920 new cases in the U.S. in 2026, versus about 79,320 for non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Doctors stage it from I to IV. Stage I means cancer in one group of lymph nodes. Stage II means two or more groups, on the same side of the diaphragm. The diaphragm is the muscle that separates the chest from the belly. Stage III means groups above and below the diaphragm, or in the spleen. Stage IV means the cancer has reached organs outside the lymph system, or involves several sites. Doctors also weigh other factors. These include tumor size, blood counts, and symptoms like fever, night sweats, or weight loss. Together, these sort cases into early favorable, early unfavorable, or advanced groups.
Treatment is combination chemotherapy, with or without radiation aimed at the areas of the body with cancer. For lymphoma that does not respond, or comes back, more options exist. These include the targeted antibody drug brentuximab vedotin, and immunotherapy drugs such as nivolumab or pembrolizumab. Stem cell transplant is another option for harder cases. NCI says Hodgkin lymphoma can usually be cured if it is found and treated early. Even so, outcomes still depend on the individual case.
Non-Hodgkin lymphoma
Non-Hodgkin lymphoma, or NHL, is much more common. It is really a large group of related diseases, not one illness. It has many subtypes, and they behave differently from each other. Some subtypes grow slowly. Doctors call these indolent, and may watch them closely before starting treatment. Others grow quickly. Doctors call these aggressive, and treatment differs from slow-growing types. Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma is the most common NHL type.
Why the subtype matters
There are many NHL subtypes, and they behave differently. So getting an accurate diagnosis is essential before choosing treatment. That means confirming the exact subtype, not just "lymphoma." NCI lists chemotherapy, radiation, targeted therapy, surveillance, stem cell transplant, and surgery as options. For some slow-growing types, careful monitoring instead of immediate treatment is an option too. Two people with lymphoma in the same lymph node group can face very different plans. That is because their subtypes differ.
What to ask your team
- Is my lymphoma Hodgkin or non-Hodgkin, and what is the exact subtype?
- What stage is it, and does it fall into a favorable or higher-risk group?
- Does it behave as slow-growing or fast-growing? That changes how urgent treatment is.
- What does my treatment plan aim to do?
- Is monitoring instead of immediate treatment ever appropriate for my case?
Sources
Common questions
What is the main difference between Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin lymphoma?
Hodgkin lymphoma contains a specific cell called the Reed-Sternberg cell; non-Hodgkin lymphoma does not. They also differ in how common they are and how they behave.
Which is more common?
Non-Hodgkin lymphoma is far more common and includes many subtypes, from slow-growing to fast-growing.
Is Hodgkin lymphoma curable?
NCI says Hodgkin lymphoma can usually be cured if found and treated early, though treatment depends on the stage and type.
Why does the subtype matter?
Because subtypes behave differently, the exact diagnosis guides treatment — from careful monitoring to chemotherapy, radiation, targeted drugs, or stem cell transplant.
Questions to ask your doctor
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Sources last checked: 2026-08-13 what this meansLast updated: 2026-10-02Next planned review: 2027-07-12
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Cancer Explained does not originate medical claims. Every page restates guidance already published by the National Cancer Institute, the CDC, the USPSTF and the FDA, in plain language, with the source cited so you can check the original yourself. AI does the translating and organizing; automated checks test claims, citations, clarity and safety before anything publishes, and this is translation and navigation, not clinical judgment. Nothing here is personal medical advice, and no page can account for your particular situation.
Editorial status: Editorial review complete — This page completed Cancer Explained's editorial checks (sources, safety, plain language, duplication). It has not been reviewed by a physician or other healthcare professional.
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