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Cancer types

Lymphoma

Lymphoma is a malignancy of the lymphatic system with many subtypes, and accurate pathology classification determines the direction of treatment.

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CD20CD19CD30

Not a diagnosis and not final medical advice. Must be reviewed by a doctor.

What is most important to know?

Lymphoma is divided into Hodgkin's lymphoma and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, with many subtypes within them.

Proper classification requires pathology and marker examination, as two lymphomas may appear similar but require different approaches.

Some lymphomas grow slowly and can be monitored, others grow quickly and require immediate therapy.

Lymphoma includes a diverse group of diseases with different behaviors and treatments. Specific event data is not shown without direct quotation.

The exact subtype matters.

Commonly discussed symptoms

  • Painless swollen lymph nodes.
  • Fever for no apparent reason, especially at night.
  • Night sweats and weight loss.
  • Prolonged feeling of tiredness.
  • Itching of the skin in some cases.

These symptoms are not specific. A doctor still needs to assess the cause.

Risk factors

  • Conditions that weaken the immune system.
  • Certain infections are associated with lymphoma in some types.
  • Family history in a minority of cases.
  • Exposure to certain substances in the work environment.

What shapes the options?

Treatment discussions usually follow this path. The more complete each step is, the more focused the discussion with your doctor becomes.

  1. Diagnosis

    Confirmed through pathology review.

  2. Subtype

    4 subtypes discussed on this page.

  3. Stage

    Staging usually uses the Lugano system, which assesses the number of glandular areas involved and the presence or absence of organ involvement.

  4. Biomarkers

    Relevant markers: CD20, CD19, CD30.

  5. Treatment history

    Each previous line affects the next option.

  6. Progression?

    If the disease progresses, reassessment and molecular testing are usually discussed.

  7. Next step

    Further evaluation, clinical trials, or a second opinion.

Stage I

Limited to one lymph node area or one organ.

Stage II

Involves two or more areas on one side of the diaphragm.

Stage III

Involves lymph node areas on both sides of the diaphragm.

Stage IV

Involves organs outside the lymphatic system, such as bone marrow or liver.

Relevant biomarkers

Molecular testing shapes categories, not decisions

Biomarker results open categories worth discussing. The final choice still considers stage, general condition, treatment history and the doctor's assessment.
Diagram perjalanan CAR-T: sel T diambil, direkayasa, diperbanyak, dikembalikan, mengenali sel kanker

Visual explainer

The CAR-T treatment journey

When CAR-T begins to be discussed for relapsed lymphoma and how the process moves from preparation to monitoring.

View the CAR-T journey
Ilustrasi reseptor di permukaan sel dengan molekul ligan yang mendekat

  • CD20

    CD20 is a protein on the surface of B cells that has long been used to identify B cell lymphoma in pathological examinations.

    Immunohistochemistry (IHC) · Flow cytometry

    View biomarker →

  • CD19

    CD19 is a protein on the surface of B cells.

    Immunohistochemistry (IHC) · Flow cytometry

    View biomarker →

  • CD30

    CD30 is a protein on the surface of some lymphoma cells.

    Immunohistochemistry (IHC) · Tumour tissue biopsy

    View biomarker →

Progression and resistance concepts

  • Lymphoma that relapses after an initial response can still be addressed with several strategies, including new antibody therapies, transplantation, and cellular therapy.
  • Lymphoma that does not improve during therapy (refractory) usually requires reassessment of pathology to confirm subtype and markers.
  • In relapsed B-cell lymphoma, CD19 and CD20 markers are important considerations for cellular therapy.
  • Subsequent decisions usually take into account therapy history, organ condition, and availability of a cellular therapy program.

Treatment options commonly discussed

The actual order and combination are always determined by the team directly examining the patient.

When are clinical trials discussed?

Trial group and treatment history

The studies below are filtered from the public registry. International patient access and site readiness have not been verified.

Clinical trials are usually discussed after standard pathways are mapped, or when biomarker results point to a specifically studied group. There are currently 61 registry records related to Lymphoma, and 5 mention a specific biomarker.

View all 61 studiesCheck my case match

What should be prepared for a second opinion?

Records usually requested

  • Pathology report with subtype classification.
  • Immunohistochemistry and flow cytometry results.
  • Latest PET-CT.
  • Results of a bone marrow biopsy if it has been performed.
  • Records of previous therapy, number of cycles, and response.

Questions for the oncologist

  • What is the correct subtype of my lymphoma according to the pathology report?
  • Which markers have been examined, including CD19, CD20, and CD30?
  • Is my lymphoma a slow-growing or fast-growing type?
  • Do I meet the criteria for cellular therapy or transplantation?
  • Are there clinical trials available for my subtype?

Which exact subtype is written on the pathology report?

Not sure about the next step for Lymphoma?

Build a case summary so your documents and questions are organised before choosing the next step. This is what happens after you upload.

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  3. Navigator review

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  4. Provider review

    With your consent, the case is discussed with providers for assessment and a written quote.

Not sure about the next step for Lymphoma?

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Deeper references

A reference section for readers who want details on subtypes, drugs, or every study record.

Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL)

Draft, not yet medically reviewed

The most common B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma, usually discussed with antibody therapy combined with chemotherapy.

DLBCL is differentiated from other B-cell lymphomas by pathology and markers such as CD20. Subgrouping based on MYC and BCL2 markers may influence the discussion of therapy intensity.

Relevant markers

CD20CD19

Stage note

Assessment uses the Lugano staging system with PET-CT as the main imaging.

Follicular lymphoma

Draft, not yet medically reviewed

A slow-growing B-cell lymphoma often managed over the long term, with treatment choices depending on symptoms and disease burden.

Follicular lymphoma can resolve without immediate therapy in some patients. The CD20 marker is the basis of antibody therapy, and transformation to an aggressive form needs to be alerted if there is a change in symptoms.

Relevant markers

CD20CD19

Stage note

Bone marrow examination is often part of the assessment, especially when therapy is being considered.

Hodgkin lymphoma

Draft, not yet medically reviewed

A lymphoma group with characteristic cell patterns and high cure rates in many stages when treated according to standards.

Reed-Sternberg cells commonly express CD30 and often CD15. The CD30 marker opens up a category of specific antibody therapy in some situations.

Relevant markers

CD30

Stage note

PET-CT is used to assess stage and response midway through therapy in some protocols.

Peripheral T-cell lymphoma

Draft, not yet medically reviewed

A lymphoma group arising from T cells, with many subtypes and approaches that differ from B-cell lymphoma.

Some T cell lymphomas express CD30. A detailed pathological examination is key because classification determines the direction of therapeutic discussions.

Relevant markers

CD30

Stage note

The assessment uses the Lugano stadium; Skin and bone marrow involvement needs to be assessed in certain types.

Frequently asked questions

Short answers to the most common questions; full explanations are in the sections above.

What is the difference between Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin lymphoma?

Lymphoma is divided into Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin lymphoma, with many subtypes under each. Accurate classification needs pathology and markers because two lymphomas can look similar but require different approaches.

Why does the pathology subtype guide therapy?

The pathology report should name the subtype according to the relevant classification, not only say lymphoma. Markers such as CD20, CD19, and CD30 help confirm subtype. Some lymphomas grow slowly and may be monitored; others grow quickly and need prompt treatment.

What tests are usually done for lymphoma?

The page discusses tissue biopsy, immunohistochemistry, flow cytometry, PET-CT, bone marrow biopsy when performed, blood tests, and echocardiography. Staging usually uses the Lugano system, which assesses nodal areas and organ involvement.

When is cellular therapy such as CAR-T discussed?

Relapsed lymphoma can still be discussed through several strategies, including newer antibodies, transplant, and cellular therapy. In relapsed B-cell lymphoma, CD19 and CD20 are important for cellular therapy discussion; decisions depend on prior therapy, organ condition, and program availability.

Which documents help avoid review delays?

Prepare pathology with subtype classification, immunohistochemistry and flow cytometry results, recent PET-CT, bone marrow biopsy if done, and prior-treatment records including cycle count and response. The same list appears in the second-opinion section of the page.

Next steps

These suggestions come from links between entries in TanyaKanker's database, not from a medical judgement. Each suggestion includes why it appears.

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