Understanding the Types of NHL

There are many different types of NHL, and the way they are grouped can be confusing. But understanding what type you have is important. It can affect many things, including which treatments you may get. In this section, we will talk about the different types and categories of NHL.

Categories of NHL

There are more than 30 types of NHL. They are divided into 2 main categories: indolent NHL and aggressive NHL. These correspond to how fast the tumors are growing.

Indolent NHL

Low-grade, or slow-growing, tumors are called indolent NHL. The most common type of indolent NHL is follicular. More than 2 out of 10 people with NHL have follicular NHL.

Indolent NHL is a lifelong disease. But there are treatment options. For many patients, these treatments help control their NHL. And many patients live with indolent NHL for many years.

Aggressive NHL

Intermediate and high-grade, or fast-growing, tumors are called aggressive NHL. The most common type of aggressive NHL is diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). In fact, more than 3 out of 10 people with NHL have DLBCL.

Aggressive NHL grows fast. So for best results, it needs to be treated as soon as it is found. And with appropriate treatment, many patients with DLBCL can achieve complete remission and may remain disease free.

Next Section Signs and Symptoms

Indications

RITUXAN® (Rituximab) is indicated for the treatment of patients with:

  • Previously untreated follicular, CD20-positive, B-cell NHL in combination with first-line chemotherapy and, in patients achieving a complete or partial response to RITUXAN in combination with chemotherapy, as single-agent maintenance therapy
  • Non-progressing (including stable disease), low-grade, CD20-positive, B-cell NHL, as a single agent, after first-line CVP chemotherapy
  • Previously untreated diffuse large B-cell, CD20-positive NHL in combination with CHOP or other anthracycline-based chemotherapy regimens
  • Relapsed or refractory, low-grade or follicular, CD20-positive, B-cell NHL as a single agent

People with serious infections should not receive RITUXAN.

Important Safety Information

  • RITUXAN can cause serious side effects that can lead to death, including infusion reactions, tumor lysis syndrome (TLS; kidney failure due to fast breakdown of cancer cells), severe skin and mouth reactions, and progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML; a rare, serious brain infection).
  • RITUXAN has also been associated with serious and life-threatening side effects, including the return of active hepatitis B virus infection with sudden and serious liver problems including liver failure, and death, other serious infections that can lead to death, heart problems, kidney problems, and stomach and serious bowel problems including blockage and tears in the bowel that can sometimes lead to death.
  • The most common side effects of RITUXAN seen in patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma were infusion reactions, fever, chills, low white blood cells, infections, body aches, and tiredness. Before starting treatment with RITUXAN it is important to talk to your doctor about your medical history.
  • Tell your doctor about any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away. These are not all of the possible side effects with RITUXAN. For more information, ask your doctor.

Please see full Prescribing Information, including Medication Guide.

CVP=cyclophosphamide, vincristine, and prednisone or prednisolone; CHOP=cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone.