|
In the United States, about 65,980 people (35,990 men and
29,990 women) are expected to be diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma in
2009. These statistics include both adults and children. It is the
fifth most common cancer in both men and women in this country (not
counting skin cancers), accounting for about 4% of all cancers.
The average American's risk of developing non-Hodgkin lymphoma
during his or her lifetime is about 1 in 50. This risk may be altered
for any individual by certain risk factors (listed in the next
section).
Since the 1970s, incidence rates for non-Hodgkin lymphoma have
nearly doubled. Some of this increase is due to AIDS-related
non-Hodgkin lymphoma, but for the most part the reason for the rise is
not known. In recent years, the increase in non-Hodgkin lymphoma cases
has been mainly in women.
Although some types of non-Hodgkin lymphoma are among the more
common childhood cancers, over 95% of cases occur in adults. The type
of non-Hodgkin lymphoma seen in children is often very different from
that seen in adults. There is a separate American Cancer Society
document on non-Hodgkin lymphoma in children.
The average age at diagnosis is in the 60s and around half of
patients are older than 65. The risk of developing non-Hodgkin lymphoma
increases throughout life, and the elderly have the highest risk. The
aging of the American population is likely to lead to an increase in
non-Hodgkin lymphoma cases during the coming years.
Non-Hodgkin lymphoma is more common in men than in women.
African Americans and Asian Americans are less likely than whites to
develop non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
The American Cancer Society estimates that approximately
19,500people in the United States (9,830 men and 9,670 women) will die
of non-Hodgkin lymphoma in 2009. Survival rates vary widely based on
the type of lymphoma and stage of disease at the time of diagnosis.
However, the overall 5-year relative survival rate for people with
non-Hodgkin lymphoma is 65%, and 10-year relative survival is 54%.
The 5-year survival rate refers to the percentage of patients
who live at least
5 years after their cancer is diagnosed. Although many of these
patients live much longer than 5 years after diagnosis, 5-year rates
are used to produce a standard way of discussing prognosis. Five-year relative survival
rates are calculated in ways that exclude the effect of diseases other
than cancer on survival. Of course, 5-year survival rates are based on
patients first diagnosed and treated more than 5 years ago. Recent
improvements in treatment often result in a better outlook for newly
diagnosed patients.
Last Medical Review: 08/29/2007
Last Revised: 05/12/2009
|
