FAQ: How many types of Hodgkin’s lymphoma are there?

Classic Hodgkin’s lymphoma is characterized by the presence of both Hodgkin’s cells and Reed-Sternberg cells and its four subtypes are categorized based on the distinct characteristics and behavior of the cells involved.

Nodular sclerosis Hodgkin’s lymphoma, which accounts for about 70% of HL cases, primarily affects young adults where lymph nodes are filled with fibrous tissue. This type is considered highly curable.

Mixed cellularity Hodgkin’s lymphoma affects about 20-25% of all classic HL cases, more commonly found in children, older patients or individuals with HIV and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infections.

Lymphocytic-rich HL is relatively rare, accounting for about 5% of all HLs, where the lymph nodes have very few normal cells but are abundant in Reed-Sternberg cells, typically affecting older patients and patients with HIV infections.

Lymphocytic-depleted HL is one of the rarest forms of HL and is often diagnosed at a late stage.

The rarest but most treatable type is nodular lymphocyte-predominant lymphoma features “popcorn cells” which are Reed-Sternberg cell variants affecting patients aged 30-50 and accounting for about 5% in this age group.