Survival statistics for non-Hodgkin lymphoma
Survival statistics for non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) 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. Your doctor can explain the statistics for NHL and what they mean to you.
Survival varies with each stage and particular type of NHL. There are more than 60 different types of NHL and each behaves and responds to treatment differently. Doctors will consider each type’s individual behaviour, prognostic factors and expected response to treatment before they make a prognosis.
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.
In Canada, the 5-year net survival for NHL is 69%. This means that, on average, about 69% of people diagnosed with NHL will survive for at least 5 years.
Survival by stage and type of NHL
Survival varies with each stage, type of NHL and the number of poor prognostic factors defined by the International Prognostic Index (IPI) and other indexes available for certain types of NHL. Generally, the earlier NHL is diagnosed and treated, the better the outcome. NHL often responds well to the many effective treatments that are available.
There are no specific Canadian statistics available for the different stages or types of NHL. 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.
| Stage | 5-year relative survival |
|---|---|
| 1 | 84% |
| 2 and 3 | 71% to 77% |
| 4 | 64% |
| Type of NHL | 5-year relative survival |
|---|---|
| Follicular lymphoma | 90% |
| Mycosis fungoides | 90% |
| Marginal zone lymphomas* | 80% |
| Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) | 60% |
| Burkitt lymphoma | 55% |
| Sezary syndrome | 45% |
| Mantle cell lymphoma | 40% |
| Peripheral T-cell lymphoma (all types) | 35% |
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 of the cancer
- certain aspects of the cancer, such as LDH level
- 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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