Types and grades of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL)
There are many different types of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). We have pages below about some of these types.
Doctors also give NHL a grade, depending on how quickly it is likely to grow. The 2 groups are low grade and high grade. Low grade NHL tends to grow very slowly. High grade grows more quickly.
How doctors group non-Hodgkin lymphomas
Doctors look at several different factors to group non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) into different types.
Low grade NHL
Low grade NHL tends to grow very slowly. There are different types of low grade NHL.
High grade NHL
High grade NHL tends to grow quite quickly. Doctors sometimes describe them as aggressive lymphomas.
Follicular lymphoma
Follicular lymphoma is a type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). It is usually slow growing and called a low grade lymphoma.
Diffuse large B cell lymphoma
Diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is a type of high grade non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). DLBCL grows quickly and your treatment starts soon after diagnosis.
Burkitt lymphoma
Burkitt lymphoma is a type of fast growing (high grade) non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). Treatment can be very intensive and last several months.
Skin lymphoma
There are 2 main types of skin (cutaneous) lymphoma. Cutaneous T cell lymphoma (CTCL) and cutaneous B cell lymphoma (CBCL).
Mantle cell lymphoma
Mantle cell lymphoma is a rare type of B cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). Find out about the symptoms and treatment.
MALT lymphoma
This low grade non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) starts in the mucosa which lines some body organs and cavities. Find out more about the symptoms and treatment.
Angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma
Angioimmunoblastic lymphoma (AITL) is a rare type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). It is a high grade (aggressive) lymphoma that affects blood cells called T cells.
Richter’s syndrome
Richter’s syndrome is a very rare type of high grade non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). People who develop Richter's syndrome have a type of blood cancer called chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL).