Non-Hodgkin lymphoma incidence statistics

Cases

New cases of non-Hodgkin lymphoma each year, 2016-2018 average, UK

 

Proportion of all cases

Percentage non-Hodgkin lymphoma is of total cancer cases, 2016-2018, UK

 

Age

Peak rate of non-Hodgkin lymphoma cases, 2016-2018, UK

 

Trend over time

Change in non-hodgkin lymphoma incidence rates since the early 1990s, UK

 

Non-Hodgkin lymphoma is the 6th most common cancer in the UK, accounting for 4% of all new cancer cases (2016-2018).[1-4]

In females in the UK, non-Hodgkin lymphoma is the 8th most common cancer (3% of all new female cancer cases). In males in the UK, it is the 7th most common cancer (4% of all new male cancer cases).

45% of non-Hodgkin lymphoma cases in the UK are in females, and 55% are in males.

Non-Hodgkin lymphoma incidence rates (European age-standardised (AS) rate Open a glossary item) for persons are significantly higher than the UK average in England, significantly lower than the UK average in Scotland and Wales and similar to the UK average in Northern Ireland.

For non-Hodgkin lymphoma, there are few established risk factors therefore differences between countries largely reflect differences in diagnosis and data recording.

Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma (C82-C86), Average Number of New Cases Per Year, Crude and European Age-Standardised (AS) Incidence Rates per 100,000 Population, UK, 2016-2018

  England Scotland Wales Northern Ireland UK
Female Cases 5,425 475 276 154 6,330
Crude Rate 19.3 17.1 17.4 16.2 18.9
AS Rate 19.6 16.5 16.1 17.6 19.1
AS Rate - 95% LCL 19.3 15.7 15.0 16.0 18.8
AS Rate - 95% UCL 19.9 17.4 17.2 19.2 19.3
Male Cases 6,709 574 366 197 7,846
Crude Rate 24.4 21.8 23.8 21.4 24.1
AS Rate 27.8 23.9 24.6 26.0 27.2
AS Rate - 95% LCL 27.4 22.7 23.2 23.9 26.9
AS Rate - 95% UCL 28.1 25.0 26.1 28.1 27.6
Persons Cases 12,134 1,049 642 351 14,176
Crude Rate 21.8 19.3 20.6 18.8 21.5
AS Rate 23.3 19.8 20.0 21.6 22.8
AS Rate - 95% LCL 23.1 19.1 19.1 20.3 22.6
AS Rate - 95% UCL 23.6 20.5 20.9 22.9 23.0

95% LCL and 95% UCL are the 95% lower and upper confidence limits around the AS Rate Open a glossary item
 

References

  1. Data were provided by the National Cancer Registration and Analysis Service (part of Public Health England), on request through the Office for Data Release, July 2021. Similar data can be found here: https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/healthandsocialcare/conditionsanddiseases/bulletins/cancerregistrationstatisticsengland/previousReleases
  2. Data were provided by ISD Scotland on request, April 2020. Similar data can be found here: http://www.isdscotland.org/Health-Topics/Cancer/Publications.
  3. Data were published by the Welsh Cancer Intelligence and Surveillance Unit, Health Intelligence Division, Public Health Wales https://phw.nhs.wales/services-and-teams/welsh-cancer-intelligence-and-surveillance-unit-wcisu/cancer-incidence-in-wales-2002-2018/, March 2021.
  4. Data were provided by the Northern Ireland Cancer Registry on request, May 2020. Similar data can be found here: http://www.qub.ac.uk/research-centres/nicr/.

About this data

Data is for UK, 2016-2018, ICD-10 C82-C86.

The term 'non-Hodgkin lymphoma' describes a large group of lymphoma subtypes, which differ substantially in their cellular origin and clinical behaviour. The subtypes can be broadly divided into B-cell lymphomas, T-cell lymphomas, and lymphoproliferative disorders not otherwise specified. B-cell lymphomas can be further divided into five main types: diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, marginal zone lymphomas, follicular lymphoma, mantle cell lymphoma, and Burkitt lymphoma. It is important to recognise the variation between these subtypes when interpreting statistics on NHL as a whole. The Haematological Malignancy Research Network provides detailed incidence statistics for NHL subtypes.

Last reviewed:

Non-Hodgkin lymphoma incidence is strongly related to age, with the highest incidence rates being in older people. In the UK in 2016-2018, on average each year more than a third of new cases (36%) were in people aged 75 and over.[1-4]

Age-specific incidence rates rise steadily from around age 45-49 and more steeply from around age 55-59. The highest rates are in in the 80 to 84 age group for females and the 85 to 89 age group for males.

Incidence rates are significantly lower in females than males in most age groups. The gap is widest at age 10 to 14, when the age-specific incidence rate is 2 times lower in females than males.

Non-Hodgkin lymphoma (C82-C86), Average Number of New Cases per Year and Age-Specific Incidence Rates per 100,000 Population, UK, 2016-2018

For non-Hodgkin lymphoma, like most cancer types, incidence increases with age. This largely reflects cell DNA damage accumulating over time. Damage can result from biological processes or from exposure to risk factors. A drop or plateau in incidence in the oldest age groups often indicates reduced diagnostic activity perhaps due to general ill health.

See also

Non-Hodgkin lymphoma mortality statistics by age

Non-Hodgkin lymphoma survival statistics by age

Non-Hodgkin lymphoma subtypes incidence statistics from the Haematological Malignancy Research Network

Hodgkin lymphoma incidence statistics

Cancer incidence statistics by age for all cancers

References

  1. Data were provided by the National Cancer Registration and Analysis Service (part of Public Health England), on request through the Office for Data Release, July 2021. Similar data can be found here: https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/healthandsocialcare/conditionsanddiseases/bulletins/cancerregistrationstatisticsengland/previousReleases
  2. Data were provided by ISD Scotland on request, April 2020. Similar data can be found here: http://www.isdscotland.org/Health-Topics/Cancer/Publications.
  3. Data were published by the Welsh Cancer Intelligence and Surveillance Unit, Health Intelligence Division, Public Health Wales https://phw.nhs.wales/services-and-teams/welsh-cancer-intelligence-and-surveillance-unit-wcisu/cancer-incidence-in-wales-2002-2018/, March 2021.
  4. Data were provided by the Northern Ireland Cancer Registry on request, May 2020. Similar data can be found here: http://www.qub.ac.uk/research-centres/nicr/.

About this data

Data is for UK, 2016-2018, ICD-10 C82-C86.

The term non-Hodgkin lymphoma describes a large group of lymphoma subtypes, which differ substantially in their cellular origin and clinical behaviour. The subtypes can be broadly divided into B-cell lymphomas, T-cell lymphomas, and lymphoproliferative disorders not otherwise specified. B-cell lymphomas can be further divided into five main types: diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, marginal zone lymphomas, follicular lymphoma, mantle cell lymphoma, and Burkitt lymphoma. It is important to recognise the variation between these subtypes when interpreting statistics on NHL as a whole. The Haematological Malignancy Research Network provides detailed incidence statistics for NHL subtypes.

 

Last reviewed:

Non-Hodgkin lymphoma European age-standardised (AS) Open a glossary item incidence rates for females and males combined increased by 38% in the UK between 1993-1995 and 2016-2018.[1-4] The increase was of a similar size in females and males.

For females, non-Hodgkin lymphoma AS incidence rates in the UK increased by 37% between 1993-1995 and 2016-2018. For males, non-Hodgkin lymphoma AS incidence rates in the UK increased by 35% between 1993-1995 and 2016-2018.

Over the last decade in the UK (between 2006-2008 and 2016-2018), non-Hodgkin lymphoma AS incidence rates for females and males combined increased by 8%. In females AS incidence rates increased by 6%, and in males rates increased by 9%.

Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma (C82-C86), European Age-Standardised Incidence Rates, UK, 1993 to 2018

Non-Hodgkin lymphoma incidence rates have increased overall in some broad age groups in females and males combined in the UK since the early 1990s, but have remained stable in others.[1-4] Rates in 0-24s have remained stable, in 25-49s have remained stable, in 50-59s have increased by 11%, in 60-69s have increased by 37%, in 70-79s have increased by 55% and in 80+s have increased by 68%.

Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma (C82-C86), European Age-Standardised Incidence Rates per 100,000 Persons Population, By Age, UK, 1993-2018

References

  1. Data were provided by the National Cancer Registration and Analysis Service (part of Public Health England), on request through the Office for Data Release, July 2021. Similar data can be found here: https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/healthandsocialcare/conditionsanddiseases/bulletins/cancerregistrationstatisticsengland/previousReleases
  2. Data were provided by ISD Scotland on request, April 2020. Similar data can be found here: http://www.isdscotland.org/Health-Topics/Cancer/Publications.
  3. Data were published by the Welsh Cancer Intelligence and Surveillance Unit, Health Intelligence Division, Public Health Wales https://phw.nhs.wales/services-and-teams/welsh-cancer-intelligence-and-surveillance-unit-wcisu/cancer-incidence-in-wales-2002-2018/, March 2021.
  4. Data were provided by the Northern Ireland Cancer Registry on request, May 2020. Similar data can be found here: http://www.qub.ac.uk/research-centres/nicr/.

About this data

Data is for UK, 1993-2018, ICD-10 C82-C86.

The term ‘non-Hodgkin lymphoma’ describes a large group of lymphoma subtypes, which differ substantially in their cellular origin and clinical behaviour. The subtypes can be broadly divided into B-cell lymphomas, T-cell lymphomas, and lymphoproliferative disorders not otherwise specified. B-cell lymphomas can be further divided into five main types: diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, marginal zone lymphomas, follicular lymphoma, mantle cell lymphoma, and Burkitt lymphoma. It is important to recognise the variation between these subtypes when interpreting statistics on NHL as a whole. The Haematological Malignancy Research Network provides detailed incidence statistics for NHL subtypes.

Last reviewed:

The number of new non-hodgkin lymphoma cases on average each year in the UK is projected to rise from around 13,600 cases in 2023-2025 to around 14,200 cases in 2038-2040.[1]

Non-Hodgkin lymphoma incidence rates are projected to fall by 11% in the UK between 2023-2025 and 2038-2040, to 17 cases per 100,000 people on average each year by 2038-2040.[1] This includes a similar decrease for males and females.

For females, non-hodgkin lymphoma European age-standardised (AS) Open a glossary item incidence rates in the UK are projected to fall by 13% between 2023-2025 and 2038-2040, to 14 cases per 100,000 per year by 2038-2040.[1] For males, AS rates are projected to fall by 10% between 2023-2025 and 2038-2040, to 22 cases per 100,000 per year by 2038-2040.[1]

Non-Hodgkin lymphoma (C82-C86), Observed and Projected Age-Standardised Incidence Rates, by Sex, UK, 1993-2040

Download the data table (xlsx)

See also

Find out how these projections were calculated

Incidence trends over time for non-Hodgkin lymphoma

Projections of incidence for all cancers combined

Non-Hodgkin lymphoma risk

Download the projections data table

 

References

Calculated by the Cancer Intelligence Team at Cancer Research UK, February 2023. Age-period-cohort modelling approach described here, using 2020-based population projections (Office for National Statistics) and observed cancer incidence (1975-2018 for England, Scotland and Wales, 1993-2018 for Northern Ireland).

About this data

Projections are based on incidence data from 1975-2018 (England, Scotland and Wales) and 1993-2018 (Northern Ireland); the above figure presents all UK data from 1993-2018 (observed) and 2019-2040 (projected). Number of new cases and age-standardised rates are presented as annual averages for each 3-year rolling period. ICD-10 codes C82-C86.

Projections are based on observed incidence rates and therefore implicitly include changes in cancer risk factors and diagnosis. Confidence intervals are not calculated for the projected figures. Projections are by their nature uncertain because unexpected events in future could change the trend. It is not sensible to calculate a boundary of uncertainty around these already uncertain point estimates. Changes are described as 'increase' or 'decrease' if there is any difference between the point estimates.

More on projections methodology

Last reviewed:

Non-Hodgkin lymphoma incidence rates (European age-standardised (AS) rates Open a glossary item) in England in females are similar in the most deprived quintile compared with the least, and in males are 10% lower in the most deprived quintile compared with the least (2013-2017).[1]

It is estimated that there are around 240 fewer cases of non-Hodgkin lymphoma each year in males in England than there would be if every deprivation quintile had the same age-specific crude incidence rates as the least deprived quintile.

Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma (C82-C86), Estimated Average Number of Fewer Cases per Year, by Deprivation Quintile, England, 2013-2017

Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma (C82-C86), European Age-Standardised Incidence Rates per 100,000 Population, by Deprivation Quintile, England, 2013-2017

See also

Data table: Cancer incidence rates and excess cases by cancer type in England

Incidence by deprivation for all cancer types combined

Non-Hodgkin lymphoma mortality by deprivation  (not directly comparable with incidence by deprivation)

Cancer incidence by deprivation for Scotland

Cancer incidence by deprivation for Wales

Cancer incidence by deprivation for Northern Ireland

References

  1. Calculated by the Cancer Intelligence Team at Cancer Research UK, April 2020. Based on method reported in National Cancer Intelligence Network Cancer by Deprivation in England Incidence, 1996-2010 Mortality, 1997-2011 . Using cancer incidence data 2013-2017 (Public Health England) and population data 2013-2017 (Office for National Statistics) by Indices of Multiple Deprivation 2015 income domain quintile, cancer type, sex, and five-year age band.

About this data

Data is for England, 2013-2017, ICD-10 C82-C86

Last reviewed:

An estimated 76,800 people who had been diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) between 1991 and 2010 were alive in the UK at the end of 2010.[1]

See also

Non-Hodgkin lymphoma incidence statistics by sex and UK country

What is prevalence?

References

  1. Macmillan Cancer Support and National Cancer Registration and Analysis Service. Cancer Prevalence UK Data Tables. London: NCRAS; 2015.

About this data

Data is for: Great Britain (1991-2010) and Northern Ireland (1993-2010), ICD-10 C82-C86

Last reviewed:

Cancer stats explained

See information and explanations on terminology used for statistics and reporting of cancer, and the methods used to calculate some of our statistics.

Cancer stats explained

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