Lymphoma

Lymphoma is a cancer that begins in the immune cells of the lymphatic system and affects both adults and children. The lymphatic system is part of the body's immune system, which serves as the body's defense against infection.

Lymphoma occurs when an abnormal cell, usually a lymphocyte (a type of white blood cell) divides to make copies of itself. The abnormal cells do not die when they should, and the buildup of extra cells often forms a mass of tissue called a growth or tumor.

Lymphoma is separated into Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin lymphomas. Lymphomas are further divided into various subtypes based on biological features, ranging from indolent (slow-growing) to aggressive (fast-growing). Different lymphoma subtypes behave and respond differently to treatment.

It is estimated that 79,030* people in the United States will be newly diagnosed with lymphoma in 2013, with about 9,290* of them being diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma and about 69,740* with non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

Treatment options for lymphoma vary depending on the type of lymphoma, stage of the disease, previous treatment, and other medical conditions. Talk with your doctor about what treatment options may be available for you.

*American Cancer Society. Cancer Facts and Figures 2013. Atlanta: American Cancer Society; 2013

Lymphoma Clinical Trials

The NCI Center for Cancer Research (CCR) conducts clinical trials at the NIH Clinical Center in Bethesda, Maryland. CCR is currently conducting the following trials for patients with lymphoma. Click on the trials below for additional details, including a summary of key eligibility criteria, study outline, and information on how to contact the principal investigators and their staff directly. For information on a particular trial or to discuss a screening visit, contact a member of the research team listed on the trial’s summary.

If you need further assistance, call our toll-free number at 1-888-NCI-1937 (1-888-624-1937) to be connected to a referral coordinator appropriate for your diagnosis.