Cancer Lymphoma Hodgkin Lymphoma The 5 Types of Hodgkin Lymphoma By Indranil Mallick, MD twitter linkedin Indranil Mallick, MD, DNB, is a radiation oncologist with a special interest in lymphoma. Learn about our editorial process Indranil Mallick, MD Medically reviewed by Medically reviewed by Doru Paul, MD on June 09, 2020 Doru Paul, MD, is triple board-certified in medical oncology, hematology, and internal medicine. He is an associate professor of clinical medicine at Weill Cornell Medical College and attending physician in the Department of Hematology Oncology at the New York Presbyterian Weill Cornell Medical Center. Learn about our Medical Review Board Doru Paul, MD on June 09, 2020 Print When you are diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma, the report of the biopsy may indicate the type of Hodgkin lymphoma that has occurred. There are five main types of Hodgkin lymphoma. They differ in whom it affects, the parts of the body more likely to be affected, and in what stage it is diagnosed. Does the Treatment of Hodgkin Lymphoma Depend on the Type of Disease? Usually, the exact type will not change the treatment options. The treatment of Hodgkin disease depends mainly on the extent of involvement (the stage) and not on the type of disease. In certain circumstances, however, the type of disease may predict the chances of certain areas of the body being affected and may influence the doctors’ choice of treatment options. If you have questions about your diagnosis and treatment options, discuss them with your healthcare team, so you understand them to your satisfaction. Nodular Sclerosing Hodgkin Lymphoma (NSHL) This is the most common type of Hodgkin lymphoma. In the developed countries, 60 to 80 percent of the people affected by Hodgkin disease have the Nodular Sclerosing subtype. It is more common in females and mostly affects younger people—adolescents and young adults. The disease mainly affects nodes in the neck or armpits, or within the chest. Mixed Cellularity Hodgkin Lymphoma (MCHL) This is another common type of Hodgkin lymphoma, with 15 to 30 percent of those diagnosed have mixed cellularity disease. This type is more common in developing countries. People of any age may be affected. Males and females are equally affected. This type of disease is more likely to involve the abdomen than the more common nodular sclerosing variety, and less likely to include nodes within the chest. Lymphocyte Depleted Hodgkin Lymphoma (LDHL) The lymphocyte depletion subtype is a very rare form of Hodgkin lymphoma that makes up only about 1 percent of those affected by the disease. It is seen in older people and is often diagnosed in an advanced stage when the lymphoma has attacked different organs of the body. It is also more common in those who are HIV infected. It may be seen in the abdomen, spleen, liver, and bone marrow. Lymphocyte-rich Classic Hodgkin Lymphoma (LRCHL) This is another uncommon subtype that makes up about 5 to 6 percent of Hodgkin patients. It is more frequently seen in males and affects people most commonly in their 30s or 40s. Most individuals are diagnosed in early stages and response to treatment is excellent. It is rarely found in more than a few lymph nodes and occurs in the upper half of the body. Nodular Lymphocyte Predominant Hodgkin Lymphoma (NLPHL) This type is now considered to be a special type of Hodgkin disease that is different from the other types mentioned above; this variant accounts for 4 to 5 percent of all cases of Hodgkin disease. According to pathologists, NLPHL has many similarities with Non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). In all clinical aspects, however, the features are similar to the lymphocyte-rich type of Hodgkin lymphoma. Most individuals are diagnosed early and do very well after treatment. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Limiting processed foods and red meats can help ward off cancer risk. These recipes focus on antioxidant-rich foods to better protect you and your loved ones. Sign up and get your guide! Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit Article Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. What is Hodgkin Lymphoma? American Cancer Society, May 2018