Information for the public

Which type of non‑Hodgkin lymphoma do I have?

Which type of non‑Hodgkin lymphoma do I have?

Your care team will use your biopsy, along with blood tests and scans, to find out:

  • which type of non‑Hodgkin lymphoma you have – this is vital to getting the best care, because different types need different treatments

  • which parts of your body are affected (see finding out where the lymphoma is in your body)

  • how fast the lymphoma is growing – non‑Hodgkin lymphoma is called either high-grade (sometimes called aggressive) or low-grade (sometimes called indolent).

Genetic testing for people with high‑grade B‑cell lymphomas

Looking at gene changes in cancer cells can give helpful information about your lymphoma and how it is likely to develop. It can also sometimes be used to work out your outlook (prognosis) and which treatments are likely to help you the most.

NICE says this testing can be helpful if you have a high-grade B‑cell lymphoma. It is important that your care team tell you what the test results mean for your treatment options and outlook.

Questions you could ask about types of non‑Hodgkin lymphoma

  • Can you explain more about my type of non‑Hodgkin lymphoma?

  • What are 'high‑grade' and 'low‑grade' lymphomas?

  • Is genetic testing suitable for me?

  • What does genetic testing involve? How is it helpful?

  • How long does it take to get the test results? What might they show?

  • Information Standard