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Statistics at a Glance

At a Glance

Estimated New Cases in 2018 74,680

% of All New Cancer Cases 4.3%

Estimated Deaths in 2018 19,910

% of All Cancer Deaths 3.3%

Percent Surviving
5 Years

71.4% 2008-2014
Year New Cases - SEER 9 New Cases - SEER 13 Deaths - U.S. Percent Surviving 5 Years - SEER 9
Observed Modeled Trend Observed Modeled Trend Observed Modeled Trend Observed Modeled Trend
1975 11.06 10.78 - - 5.63 5.50 46.04% 47.24%
1976 11.21 11.17 - - 5.71 5.64 47.97% 47.94%
1977 11.18 11.57 - - 5.77 5.77 46.40% 48.63%
1978 11.92 11.98 - - 5.93 5.92 47.56% 49.32%
1979 12.53 12.41 - - 5.95 6.06 47.50% 50.01%
1980 12.62 12.86 - - 6.23 6.21 49.45% 50.70%
1981 13.58 13.32 - - 6.16 6.36 50.25% 51.37%
1982 13.39 13.80 - - 6.55 6.52 49.84% 52.05%
1983 13.99 14.29 - - 6.66 6.68 52.42% 52.72%
1984 15.19 14.81 - - 6.76 6.84 52.77% 52.60%
1985 15.51 15.34 - - 7.06 7.01 52.68% 52.48%
1986 15.90 15.89 - - 7.31 7.19 50.35% 52.37%
1987 16.74 16.46 - - 7.26 7.36 52.14% 52.25%
1988 17.26 17.05 - - 7.52 7.54 51.08% 52.13%
1989 17.36 17.66 - - 7.83 7.73 50.17% 52.02%
1990 18.51 18.29 - - 7.87 7.92 49.94% 51.90%
1991 18.81 18.95 - - 8.19 8.11 51.19% 51.78%
1992 18.61 19.08 18.53 18.93 8.22 8.24 51.42% 51.66%
1993 18.86 19.21 18.54 19.03 8.25 8.38 53.12% 51.54%
1994 19.95 19.34 19.57 19.13 8.63 8.51 53.09% 51.43%
1995 19.98 19.48 19.76 19.23 8.72 8.65 52.17% 53.74%
1996 19.42 19.61 19.44 19.33 8.75 8.79 56.31% 56.00%
1997 20.00 19.75 19.52 19.44 8.88 8.93 59.69% 58.20%
1998 19.61 19.88 19.36 19.54 8.69 8.65 61.29% 60.32%
1999 19.97 20.02 19.82 19.65 8.32 8.39 62.36% 62.38%
2000 19.79 20.16 19.42 19.75 8.17 8.13 64.12% 64.36%
2001 20.02 20.30 19.71 19.86 7.91 7.87 66.32% 66.27%
2002 20.22 20.44 19.75 19.96 7.65 7.63 69.64% 68.10%
2003 20.78 20.58 20.28 20.07 7.38 7.39 70.44% 69.86%
2004 21.39 20.72 20.80 20.18 7.09 7.16 70.47% 70.24%
2005 20.88 20.87 20.21 20.29 6.95 6.94 71.94% 70.63%
2006 20.50 21.01 20.12 20.40 6.74 6.73 70.84% 71.01%
2007 21.26 21.16 20.50 20.50 6.59 6.58 71.53% 71.38%
2008 20.92 20.98 20.35 20.61 6.41 6.43 73.10% 71.75%
2009 20.88 20.80 20.63 20.42 6.30 6.29 74.34% 72.12%
2010 21.38 20.63 20.88 20.22 6.14 6.15 74.37% 72.49%
2011 19.84 20.45 19.40 20.02 6.03 6.01 - 72.85%
2012 20.28 20.28 19.57 19.83 5.91 5.88 - 73.20%
2013 19.71 20.11 19.37 19.64 5.71 5.75 - 73.56%
2014 20.12 19.94 19.75 19.45 5.65 5.62 - 73.91%
2015 19.91 19.77 19.36 19.26 5.47 5.49 - 74.25%

Modeled trend lines were calculated from the underlying rates using the Joinpoint Trend Analysis Software.

Number of New Cases and Deaths per 100,000: The number of new cases of non-Hodgkin lymphoma was 19.4 per 100,000 men and women per year. The number of deaths was 5.7 per 100,000 men and women per year. These rates are age-adjusted and based on 2011-2015 cases and deaths.

Lifetime Risk of Developing Cancer: Approximately 2.1 percent of men and women will be diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma at some point during their lifetime, based on 2013-2015 data.

Prevalence of This Cancer: In 2015, there were an estimated 686,042 people living with non-Hodgkin lymphoma in the United States.

Survival Statistics

How Many People Survive 5 Years Or More after Being Diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma?

Relative survival statistics compare the survival of patients diagnosed with cancer with the survival of people in the general population who are the same age, race, and sex and who have not been diagnosed with cancer. Because survival statistics are based on large groups of people, they cannot be used to predict exactly what will happen to an individual patient. No two patients are entirely alike, and treatment and responses to treatment can vary greatly.

71.4%

Percent Surviving
5 Years

71.4%

Based on data from SEER 18 2008-2014. Gray figures represent those who have died from non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Green figures represent those who have survived 5 years or more.

Additional Information

Survival by Stage

Cancer stage at diagnosis, which refers to extent of a cancer in the body, determines treatment options and has a strong influence on the length of survival. In general, if the cancer is found only in the part of the body where it started it is localized (sometimes referred to as stage 1). If it has spread to a different part of the body, the stage is regional or distant. For non-Hodgkin lymphoma, 14.5% are diagnosed at the local stage. The 5-year survival for localized non-Hodgkin lymphoma is 75.3%.

Percent of Cases & 5-Year Relative Survival by Stage at Diagnosis: Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma
Stage Percent of Cases 5-Year Relative Survival
Stage I
Only in Originating Layer of Cells		 25% 81.8%
Stage II
Confined to Primary Site		 14% 75.3%
Stage III
Spread to Regional Lymph Nodes		 16% 69.1%
Stage IV
Cancer has Metastasized		 34% 61.7%
Unknown
Unstaged		 11% 76.4%

SEER 18 2008-2014, All Races, Both Sexes by Ann Arbor Stage

Additional Information

Number of New Cases and Deaths

How Common Is This Cancer?

Compared to other cancers, non-Hodgkin lymphoma is fairly common.

Rank Common Types of Cancer Estimated New
Cases 2018		 Estimated
Deaths 2018
1. Breast Cancer (Female) 266,120 40,920
2. Lung and Bronchus Cancer 234,030 154,050
3. Prostate Cancer 164,690 29,430
4. Colorectal Cancer 140,250 50,630
5. Melanoma of the Skin 91,270 9,320
6. Bladder Cancer 81,190 17,240
7. Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma 74,680 19,910
8. Kidney and Renal Pelvis Cancer 65,340 14,970
9. Uterine Cancer 63,230 11,350
10. Leukemia 60,300 24,370

Non-Hodgkin lymphoma represents 4.3% of all new cancer cases in the U.S.

4.3%

In 2018, it is estimated that there will be 74,680 new cases of non-Hodgkin lymphoma and an estimated 19,910 people will die of this disease.

Who Gets This Cancer?

Non-Hodgkin lymphoma is more common in men than women, and among individuals of Caucasian descent. The number of new cases of non-Hodgkin lymphoma was 19.4 per 100,000 men and women per year based on 2011-2015 cases.

Number of New Cases per 100,000 Persons by Race/Ethnicity & Sex: Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma
Males
All Races 23.6
White 24.7
Black 17.5
Asian/Pacific Islander 16.7
American Indian/Alaska Native 12.9
Hispanic 20.2
Non-Hispanic 24.2
Females
All Races 15.9
White 16.8
Black 12.1
Asian/Pacific Islander 11.1
American Indian/Alaska Native 10.8
Hispanic 15.3
Non-Hispanic 16.1

SEER 18 2011-2015, Age-Adjusted

Percent of New Cases by Age Group: Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma
Age Range Percent of New Cases
<20 1.7%
20-34 3.6%
35-44 5.3%
45-54 12.0%
55-64 21.3%
65-74 25.6%
75-84 21.1%
>84 9.5%

Non-Hodgkin lymphoma is most frequently diagnosed among people aged 65-74.

Median Age
At Diagnosis

67

SEER 18 2011-2015, All Races, Both Sexes

Who Dies From This Cancer?

Non-Hodgkin lymphoma is the eighth leading cause of cancer death in the United States. The number of deaths was 5.7 per 100,000 men and women per year based on 2011-2015 deaths.

Number of Deaths per 100,000 Persons by Race/Ethnicity & Sex: Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma
Males
All Races 7.4
White 7.7
Black 5.4
Asian/Pacific Islander 5.0
American Indian/Alaska Native 5.6
Hispanic 6.1
Non-Hispanic 7.5
Females
All Races 4.5
White 4.6
Black 3.4
Asian/Pacific Islander 3.2
American Indian/Alaska Native 3.4
Hispanic 3.9
Non-Hispanic 4.5

U.S. 2011-2015, Age-Adjusted

Percent of Deaths by Age Group: Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma
Age Range Percent of Deaths
<20 0.3%
20-34 1.2%
35-44 1.9%
45-54 5.5%
55-64 14.1%
65-74 23.6%
75-84 31.2%
>84 22.2%

The percent of non-Hodgkin lymphoma deaths is highest among people aged 75-84.

Median Age
At Death

76

U.S. 2011-2015, All Races, Both Sexes

Trends in Rates

Changes Over Time

Keeping track of the number of new cases, deaths, and survival over time (trends) can help scientists understand whether progress is being made and where additional research is needed to address challenges, such as improving screening or finding better treatments.

Using statistical models for analysis, rates for new non-Hodgkin lymphoma cases have been falling on average 0.7% each year over the last 10 years. Death rates have been falling on average 2.2% each year over 2006-2015. 5-year survival trends are shown below.

New Cases, Deaths and 5-Year Relative Survival
View Data Table

More About This Cancer

Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma

Illustration of lymph nodes.
Figure: Lymph Nodes Above and Below the Diaphragm
Click to enlarge.
Figure: Lymph Nodes Above and Below the Diaphragm

Figure: This picture shows lymph nodes above and below the diaphragm. It also shows the lymph vessels, tonsils, thymus, and spleen.

Lymphoma is cancer that begins in cells of the lymph system. The lymph system is part of the immune system, which helps the body fight infection and disease. Because lymph tissue is found all through the body, lymphoma can begin almost anywhere.

The two main types of lymphoma are Hodgkin lymphoma and non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). These can occur in both children and adults.

There are many different types of NHL that form from different types of white blood cells (B-cells, T-cells, NK cells). Most types of NHL form from B-cells. NHL may be indolent (slow-growing) or aggressive (fast-growing). The most common types of NHL in adults are diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, which is usually aggressive, and follicular lymphoma, which is usually indolent.

Additional Information

More Information

Here are some resources for learning more about non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

References

All statistics in this report are based on statistics from SEER and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's National Center for Health Statistics. Most can be found within:

Noone AM, Howlader N, Krapcho M, Miller D, Brest A, Yu M, Ruhl J, Tatalovich Z, Mariotto A, Lewis DR, Chen HS, Feuer EJ, Cronin KA (eds). SEER Cancer Statistics Review, 1975-2015, National Cancer Institute. Bethesda, MD, https://seer.cancer.gov/csr/1975_2015/, based on November 2017 SEER data submission, posted to the SEER web site, April 2018.

Suggested Citation

All material in this report is in the public domain and may be reproduced or copied without permission; citation as to source, however, is appreciated.

SEER Cancer Stat Facts: Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma. National Cancer Institute. Bethesda, MD, https://seer.cancer.gov/statfacts/html/nhl.html

These stat facts focus on population statistics that are based on the U.S. population. Because these statistics are based on large groups of people, they cannot be used to predict exactly what will happen to an individual patient. To see tailored statistics, browse the SEER Cancer Statistics Review. To see statistics for a specific state, go to the State Cancer Profiles.

The statistics presented in these stat facts are based on the most recent data available, most of which can be found in the SEER Cancer Statistics Review. In some cases, different year spans may be used. Estimates for the current year are based on past data.

Cancer is a complex topic. There is a wide range of information available. These stat facts do not address causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, follow-up care, or decision making, although links are provided to information in many of these areas.