Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma Statistics

Welcome to our Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma Statistics page. These Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma Statistics consists of the latest epidemiologic data for this cancer. One statistic, the most important one, is the five year survival rate. This statistic shows that modern medicine seems to be making progress in eradication of this cancer. While an individual may survive this cancer, the statistics do not describe the pain and suffering, lost income, and general emotional stress that was placed on the patient and family in order to survive. Albert Einstein had it right when viewing statistics about human beings. Some things simply can not be counted. Progress has been made in the eradication of this cancer, but a lot more progress is needed. Lets examine some of the statistics:

• In terms of incidence and death rates in the United States when looking at all cancers, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma is the second fastest rising.
• “Lymphoma is increasing faster than any other cancer except melanoma. Unlike melanoma, which can be prevented by staying out of the sun, and unlike lung cancer and smoking, the causes of lymphoma are complex and largely unknown.” - Neil Ruzic (Congressional testimony)
• The incidence rate has increased tremendously. Between 1973 and 1995, the incidence rate went from 8/100,000 to 16/100,000. In the last five years, the incidence rate has slowed down and appears to be currently leveling off.
• Each day approximately 170 Americans find out that they have some form of lymphoma cancer.
• In 2003, there were 61,000 new cases of lymphoma. Lymphoma is more common in males.
• Currently 500,000 people have some form of lymphoma in the United States.
• Lymphoma is the most common blood cancer in the United States.
  In terms of childhood cancers, lymphoma ranks as the most common in the United States.
• Lymphoma results in 27,600 deaths per year.
• When looking at the number of patients who have survived lymphoma for at least five years, this percentage has increased from 31% in 1960 to 52% in 2001.
• Around 45% of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma patients with the aggressive form of the cancer are being completely cured. The slow growing form of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (indolent lymphomas) remains to a certain degree incurable.
• While indolent lymphomas remain incurable, this is currently changing. Many patients today with indolent lymphomas, where conventional treatments are no longer effective, are achieving a long term remission from stem cell transplantation.
• The most common form of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma is the slow growing indolent follicular lymphoma. Current survival rate for this type of lymphoma is 8 to 10 years. This number will undoubtedly increase as new treatment modalities become part of the medical mainstream offense against lymphoma.