Understanding the Types of NHL
There are many different types of NHL, and the way they are grouped can be confusing. But understanding what type you have is important. It can affect many things, including which treatments you may get. In this section, we will talk about the different types and categories of NHL.
Categories of NHL
There are more than 30 types of NHL. They are divided into 2 main categories: indolent NHL and aggressive NHL. These correspond to how fast the tumors are growing.
Low-grade, or slow-growing, tumors are called indolent NHL. The most common type of indolent NHL is follicular. More than 2 out of 10 people with NHL have follicular NHL.
Indolent NHL is a lifelong disease. But there are treatment options. For many patients, these treatments help control their NHL. And many patients live with indolent NHL for many years.
Intermediate and high-grade, or fast-growing, tumors are called aggressive NHL. The most common type of aggressive NHL is diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). In fact, more than 3 out of 10 people with NHL have DLBCL.
Aggressive NHL grows fast. So for best results, it needs to be treated as soon as it is found. And with appropriate treatment, many patients with DLBCL can achieve complete remission and may remain disease free.