Is the 5-year survival rate for non-Hodgkin lymphoma favorable?
Mar 12, 2021
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Nan Yingyu
Introduction
Malignant lymphoma is currently the most prevalent malignancy of the hematologic system. Its incidence is approximately 6.75 per 100,000 population. It is primarily classified into Hodgkin lymphoma and non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). NHL is further categorized—based on the proliferation rate of tumor cells—into indolent lymphoma, aggressive lymphoma, and highly aggressive lymphoma.
Malignant lymphoma is currently the most common malignancy of the hematologic system. Its incidence is approximately 6.75 per 100,000 population.
Malignant lymphomas are primarily classified into Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) and non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). NHL is further categorized—based on tumor cell proliferation rate—into indolent (low-grade), aggressive, and highly aggressive lymphomas.
Based on cellular origin, NHL is subdivided into B-cell lymphoma, T-cell lymphoma, and NK/T-cell lymphoma. Clinical manifestations of malignant lymphoma typically include both localized and systemic symptoms.
Localized symptoms are predominantly painless lymphadenopathy. Systemic symptoms are commonly referred to as “B symptoms.”
What constitutes “B symptoms”? They include unexplained fever exceeding 38°C, drenching night sweats, and unintentional weight loss.
The criterion for significant weight loss is a reduction of more than 10% of baseline body weight within six months. Diagnosis of malignant lymphoma relies primarily on lymph node biopsy to definitively establish histopathological subtype. For NHL, risk stratification is commonly performed using prognostic indices (e.g., the International Prognostic Index), categorizing patients into low-, intermediate-, low-intermediate-, and high-risk groups.
For diffuse large B-cell lymphoma—the most common B-cell lymphoma—the current era of immunochemotherapy achieves cure rates of approximately 60–70%. Primary treatment modalities for lymphoma include immunotargeted therapy, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Early detection, timely diagnosis, and standardized, evidence-based treatment constitute the cornerstone of successful lymphoma management.
