Survival statistics for Hodgkin lymphoma
Survival statistics for cancer are very general estimates and must be interpreted very carefully. Because these statistics are based on the experience of groups of people, they cannot be used to predict a particular person’s chances of survival.
There are many different ways to measure and report cancer survival statistics for Hodgkin lymphoma (HL). Your doctor can explain these statistics and what they mean to you.
Net survival
Net survival represents the probability (chance) of surviving cancer in the absence of other causes of death. It is used to give an estimate of the percentage of people who will survive cancer. The following net survival statistic is for classic HL.
In Canada, the 5-year net survival for HL is 85%. This means that, on average, about 85% of people diagnosed with HL will survive for at least 5 years.
The 10-year net survival for HL 81%. This means that, on average, about 81% of people diagnosed with HL will survive for at least 10 years.
It is important to remember that these net survival statistics are based on the results of the best treatments from 10 years ago. It is likely that the best treatments used now will lead to even better net survival when measured in the future.
Survival by stage
Survival varies with each stage of HL. Overall, HL responds very well to treatment even if it is advanced.
The most common staging system for HL is the Lugano classification. The Lugano stages are divided into 3 categories:
- Localized means that the HL is stage 1.
- Regional means that the HL is stage 2 (including bulky disease) or stage 3.
- Distant means that the HL is stage 4.
There are no specific Canadian statistics available for the different stages of HL. The following information comes from a variety of sources. It may include statistics from other countries that are likely to have similar outcomes as in Canada.
These statistics are
|
Stage |
5-year relative survival |
|---|---|
| Localized | 93% |
|
Regional |
95% |
|
Distant |
83% |
Survival statistics for nodular lymphocyte-predominant Hodgkin lymphoma
The prognosis for nodular lymphocyte-predominant Hodgkin lymphoma (NLPHL) is considered very good because it is a slow-growing (indolent) cancer and it is usually found in the early stage. NLPHL responds well to treatment with radiation therapy and chemotherapy. The prognosis is less favourable if NLPHL comes back (recurs or relapses) within 2 years after being treated or if it doesn’t respond (is refractory) to treatment.
In rare cases, NLPHL can change (transform) into a high-grade type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Most often it changes into diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). If this happens, it is treated like DLBCL, and it often responds well to treatment. Find out more about DBLCL.
Because NLPHL is rare, we don’t have many survival statistics for it and there are no specific Canadian numbers. One small study on a group of people with NLPHL found that the 10-year overall survival rate was 94%. A slightly larger study found that 10-year survival was 85%.
Questions about survival
Talk to your doctor about your prognosis. A prognosis depends on many factors, including:
- your health history
- the type of cancer
- the stage
- certain characteristics of the cancer
- the treatments chosen
- how the cancer responds to treatment
Only a doctor familiar with these factors can put all of this information together with survival statistics to arrive at a prognosis.
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