Hodgkin lymphoma survival statistics

91% of men survive Hodgkin lymphoma for at least one year, and this is predicted to fall to 84% surviving for five years or more, as shown by age-standardised net survival for patients diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma during 2010-2011 in England and Wales (Table 3.1).1 Survival for women is slightly higher, with 92% surviving for one year or more, and 86% predicted to survive for at least five years.

Table 3.1: Hodgkin Lymphoma (C81), Age-Standardised One-, Five- and Ten-Year Net Survival, Adults (Aged 15-99), England and Wales, 2010-2011

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95% LCL and 95% UCL are the 95% lower and upper confidence limits
Five- and ten-year survival is predicted using an excess hazard statistical model

Hodgkin lymphoma survival gradually continues to fall beyond five years after diagnosis. 79% of men and 83% of women are predicted to survive their disease for ten years or more, as shown by age-standardised net survival for patients diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma during 2010-2011 in England and Wales (Figure 3.1).1 Out of 20 common cancers in England and Wales, ten-year survival for Hodgkin lymphoma ranks 4th highest overall. This relatively high survival is mainly a result of improvements in treatment over time, including advances in radiotherapy technology and more effective combinations of anti-cancer drugs.2

Figure 3.1: Hodgkin Lymphoma (C81), Net Survival up to Ten Years after Diagnosis, Adults (Aged 15-99), England and Wales, 2010-2011

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Survival for Hodgkin lymphoma is reported in Scotland and Northern Ireland,3,4 though it is difficult to make survival comparisons between countries due to different methodologies and criteria for including patients in analyses.

section reviewed 28/11/14
section updated 28/11/14

Five-year survival for Hodgkin lymphoma is highest in the youngest men and women and decreases with increasing age. Five-year net survival in men ranges from 95% in 15-39 year-olds to 30% in 80-99 year-olds for patients diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma in England during 2007-2011 (Figure 3.2).5 In women, five-year survival ranges from 95% to 31% in the same age groups.

Figure 3.2: Hodgkin Lymphoma (C81), Five-Year Net Survival by Age, England, 2007-2011

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section reviewed 28/11/14
section updated 28/11/14

As with most cancers, survival for Hodgkin lymphoma is improving. Some of the increase is likely to be attributable to changes in the diagnosis, classification and registration of Hodgkin lymphoma, so interpretation of these trends should be undertaken with caution.

One-year age-standardised net survival for Hodgkin lymphoma in men has increased from 74% during 1971-1972 to 91% during 2010-2011 in England and Wales – an absolute survival difference of 17 percentage points (Figure 3.3).1 In women, one-year survival has increased from 77% to 92% over the same time period (a difference of 15 percentage points).

Figure 3.3: Hodgkin Lymphoma (C81), Age-Standardised One-Year Net Survival, Adults (Aged 15-99), England and Wales, 1971-2011

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Five- and ten-year survival has increased by an even greater amount than one-year survival since the early 1970s. Five-year age-standardised net survival for Hodgkin lymphoma in men has increased from 54% during 1971-1972 to a predicted survival of 84% during 2010-2011 in England and Wales – an absolute survival difference of 30 percentage points (Figure 3.4).1 In women, five-year survival has increased from 59% to 86% over the same time period (a difference of 27 percentage points).

Figure 3.4: Hodgkin Lymphoma (C81), Age-Standardised Five-Year Net Survival, Adults (Aged 15-99), England and Wales, 1971-2011

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Five-year survival for 2010-2011 is predicted using an excess hazard statistical model

Ten-year age-standardised net survival for Hodgkin lymphoma in men has increased from 45% during 1971-1972 to a predicted survival of 79% during 2010-2011 in England and Wales – an absolute survival difference of 34 percentage points (Figure 3.5).1 In women, ten-year survival has increased from 51% to 83% over the same time period (a difference of 32 percentage points). Overall, 8 in 10 people diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma today are predicted to survive their disease for at least ten years.

Figure 3.5: Hodgkin Lymphoma (C81), Age-Standardised Ten-Year Net Survival, Adults (Aged 15-99), England and Wales, 1971-2011

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Ten-year survival for 2005-2006 and 2010-2011 is predicted using an excess hazard statistical model

section reviewed 28/11/14
section updated 28/11/14