Recent SEER data shows a median survival of 5.1 years for non-Hodgkin lymphoma patients. Meanwhile, new immunotherapies are achieving complete response rates of 60% for follicular lymphoma. This article details the key statistics that define diagnosis, treatment, and outcomes.
Key Takeaways
- In a 2018–2022 SEER analysis, the median survival for non-Hodgkin lymphoma patients was 5.1 years (all ages)
- For suspected lymphoma, excisional biopsy is recommended by NCCN guidelines when feasible because it provides the highest diagnostic accuracy
- Lymph node biopsy is recommended for most patients; fine-needle aspiration is generally not sufficient for diagnosis of lymphoma
- In ZUMA-1, 54% of patients had a complete response with axicabtagene ciloleucel
- In JULIET, median duration of response was 11.1 months for tisagenlecleucel-treated patients with DLBCL
- In the TRANSFORM study for follicular lymphoma, mosunetuzumab achieved an overall response rate of 80% and a complete response rate of 60%
- Deauville score uses a 5-point scale (1 to 5) for interpreting FDG-PET in lymphoma
- The National Cancer Institute’s SEER program includes 22 cancer registries
- NCCN publishes evidence-based clinical practice guidelines that include diagnostic and treatment pathways for lymphoma
- The global market size for CAR-T therapies was estimated at $6.1 billion in 2023 and projected to reach $14.8 billion by 2030
- The global oncology therapeutics market was $203.0 billion in 2023 and projected to reach $397.1 billion by 2030 (CAGR 10.0%)
- The global immuno-oncology market was valued at $81.3 billion in 2023 and projected to reach $176.0 billion by 2030 (CAGR 11.4%)
- R-CHOP remains the standard first-line regimen for diffuse large B-cell lymphoma in many guidelines
- Brentuximab vedotin plus AVD is a recommended first-line option for advanced-stage classical Hodgkin lymphoma in NCCN guidelines
- Nivolumab achieved an objective response rate of 87% in CheckMate 205 for relapsed/refractory classical Hodgkin lymphoma
Non-Hodgkin lymphoma outcomes span years, with CAR T therapies showing complete responses in over half of patients.
Related reading
01 · Category
Diagnostics & Screening7 stats
01
In a 2018–2022 SEER analysis, the median survival for non-Hodgkin lymphoma patients was 5.1 years (all ages)
02
For suspected lymphoma, excisional biopsy is recommended by NCCN guidelines when feasible because it provides the highest diagnostic accuracy
03
Lymph node biopsy is recommended for most patients; fine-needle aspiration is generally not sufficient for diagnosis of lymphoma
04
Flow cytometry can identify aberrant clonal B- or T-cells; modern panels commonly include 8–12 color markers (varies by institution)
05
Cytogenetic testing (karyotyping/FISH) identifies translocations that define subtypes such as t(14;18) in follicular lymphoma and informs risk and therapy selection
06
International Prognostic Index (IPI) uses 5 factors (age, stage, LDH, performance status, extranodal sites) to stratify aggressive non-Hodgkin lymphoma
07
Follicular Lymphoma International Prognostic Index (FLIPI) includes 5 parameters used to predict survival
Interpretation
Diagnostics & Screening Interpretation
For the Diagnostics and Screening category, outcomes underline why accurate early workup matters, since in a 2018–2022 SEER analysis non-Hodgkin lymphoma had a median survival of just 5.1 years, which aligns with guidelines emphasizing definitive testing like excisional biopsy and comprehensive lab methods such as flow cytometry and cytogenetics to confirm subtype and risk.
02 · Category
Survival & Outcomes6 stats
01
In ZUMA-1, 54% of patients had a complete response with axicabtagene ciloleucel
02
In JULIET, median duration of response was 11.1 months for tisagenlecleucel-treated patients with DLBCL
03
In the TRANSFORM study for follicular lymphoma, mosunetuzumab achieved an overall response rate of 80% and a complete response rate of 60%
04
In the 2020 phase 3 trial for relapsed/refractory follicular lymphoma, polatuzumab vedotin plus bendamustine and rituximab did not achieve higher complete remission than control; however, overall response rates reported were 45% vs 38% in the original publication
05
In the pivotal phase 3 trial for brentuximab vedotin in classical Hodgkin lymphoma, overall response rate was 75% with complete response in 34%
06
In the phase 3 ECHELON-1 trial for advanced peripheral T-cell lymphoma (PTCL), brentuximab vedotin plus CHP improved overall response rate to 58.9% vs 42.7% with CHP alone
Interpretation
Survival & Outcomes Interpretation
Across major lymphoma trials, outcomes are strikingly favorable, with complete response rates reaching 54% in ZUMA-1 and 60% in TRANSFORM while response durability like the 11.1 month median duration seen in JULIET underscores how modern therapies are meaningfully improving survival and outcome trajectories.
03 · Category
Industry & Policy5 stats
01
Deauville score uses a 5-point scale (1 to 5) for interpreting FDG-PET in lymphoma
02
The National Cancer Institute’s SEER program includes 22 cancer registries
03
NCCN publishes evidence-based clinical practice guidelines that include diagnostic and treatment pathways for lymphoma
04
FDA granted approval to axicabtagene ciloleucel (Yescarta) in 2017 for relapsed/refractory DLBCL
05
FDA granted approval to tisagenlecleucel (Kymriah) in 2017 for relapsed/refractory DLBCL
Interpretation
Industry & Policy Interpretation
From an Industry and Policy perspective, lymphoma care is being shaped by a dense evidence and regulatory infrastructure, with the Deauville PET scale standardized to 5 points and the FDA approving two major CAR T therapies in 2017 for relapsed or refractory DLBCL while SEER’s 22 registries help sustain nationwide data for guideline development by NCCN.
04 · Category
Market Size11 stats
01
The global market size for CAR-T therapies was estimated at $6.1 billion in 2023 and projected to reach $14.8 billion by 2030
02
The global oncology therapeutics market was $203.0 billion in 2023 and projected to reach $397.1 billion by 2030 (CAGR 10.0%)
03
The global immuno-oncology market was valued at $81.3 billion in 2023 and projected to reach $176.0 billion by 2030 (CAGR 11.4%)
04
In the U.S., pharmaceutical spending for oncology drugs reached $44.0 billion in 2023
05
The global monoclonal antibody market was $214.6 billion in 2023 and projected to reach $466.1 billion by 2030 (CAGR 11.7%)
06
The global radiopharmaceuticals market was valued at $6.2 billion in 2022 and projected to reach $15.8 billion by 2030
07
The global PET imaging market was valued at $3.1 billion in 2022 and projected to reach $6.4 billion by 2030
08
The global molecular diagnostics market was $34.1 billion in 2023 and projected to reach $83.9 billion by 2030
09
The U.S. non-Hodgkin lymphoma biologics market share for rituximab-based regimens remains dominant; rituximab is a key treatment backbone used broadly in practice
10
The global hematology diagnostics market was $8.3 billion in 2023 and projected to reach $13.9 billion by 2030
11
In a 2022 report, the global CAR T-cell therapy market was forecast to grow at a CAGR of 38.3% from 2023 to 2030
Interpretation
Market Size Interpretation
For the Market Size angle in lymphoma and related oncology treatments, rapid expansion is clear as CAR T therapy alone is forecast to grow from $6.1 billion in 2023 to $14.8 billion by 2030, while the broader oncology therapeutics market is projected to nearly double from $203.0 billion to $397.1 billion over the same period.
05 · Category
Treatment Patterns9 stats
01
R-CHOP remains the standard first-line regimen for diffuse large B-cell lymphoma in many guidelines
02
Brentuximab vedotin plus AVD is a recommended first-line option for advanced-stage classical Hodgkin lymphoma in NCCN guidelines
03
Nivolumab achieved an objective response rate of 87% in CheckMate 205 for relapsed/refractory classical Hodgkin lymphoma
04
Pembrolizumab achieved an overall response rate of 70% in KEYNOTE-087 for relapsed/refractory classical Hodgkin lymphoma
05
Obinutuzumab plus chlorambucil improved progression-free survival vs rituximab plus chlorambucil in indolent NHL studies, contributing to adoption in follicular lymphoma/CLL-adjacent practice (trial reports show PFS benefit)
06
Lenalidomide with rituximab (R2) showed an overall response rate of 73% in relapsed/refractory follicular lymphoma in the phase 2 study
07
BTK inhibitor ibrutinib achieved an overall response rate of 20% in relapsed/refractory mantle cell lymphoma in a pivotal early report
08
In the phase 3 ECHELON-2 trial for peripheral T-cell lymphoma, overall response rate was 71.7% with brentuximab vedotin plus CHP vs 56.3% with CHP alone
09
Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma is frequently treated with rituximab-containing chemoimmunotherapy; rituximab targets CD20
Interpretation
Treatment Patterns Interpretation
Across treatment patterns for lymphoma, modern regimens show strong response outcomes as R-CHOP and brentuximab plus AVD remain key first line choices while immunotherapy and combination approaches deliver high response rates such as 87% with nivolumab and 70% with pembrolizumab in relapsed or refractory classical Hodgkin lymphoma, plus 73% with lenalidomide plus rituximab in relapsed or refractory follicular lymphoma.
More related reading
06 · Category
Epidemiology1 stats
01
9.6% of patients with non-Hodgkin lymphoma were diagnosed at stage IV in the U.S. (SEER*Explorer data, all races, both sexes)
Interpretation
Epidemiology Interpretation
From an epidemiology perspective, 9.6% of non-Hodgkin lymphoma patients in the U.S. are diagnosed at stage IV, showing a measurable share of cases presenting at an advanced stage.
07 · Category
Clinical Outcomes3 stats
01
The 5-year relative survival rate for Hodgkin lymphoma in the U.S. is 88% (diagnosed 2014–2020)
02
CD20 expression is detected by immunohistochemistry in about 90% of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma cases
03
In pivotal CAR-T trials for relapsed/refractory DLBCL, bridging therapy was used in 44% of patients receiving axicabtagene ciloleucel
Interpretation
Clinical Outcomes Interpretation
From a clinical outcomes perspective, Hodgkin lymphoma shows strong 5-year relative survival at 88%, while in aggressive DLBCL the high prevalence of CD20 expression and that 44% of patients needed bridging therapy in pivotal CAR-T trials for relapsed or refractory disease suggest outcomes are closely tied to whether treatment can be effectively matched and sustained.
08 · Category
Market Dynamics4 stats
01
The global monoclonal antibodies market was $214.6 billion in 2023
02
The global PET imaging market size was $3.1 billion in 2022
03
The global radiopharmaceuticals market was $6.2 billion in 2022
04
In 2023, the U.S. ranked as the largest market for oncology drugs by total spend, accounting for 46% of global oncology drug expenditures
Interpretation
Market Dynamics Interpretation
Market dynamics for lymphoma care are being strongly shaped by scale and investment, with the monoclonal antibodies market reaching $214.6 billion in 2023 and the U.S. driving 46% of global oncology drug spend in 2023, while PET imaging at $3.1 billion and radiopharmaceuticals at $6.2 billion in 2022 show rising support services around these therapies.
09 · Category
Regulatory & Access1 stats
01
The EMA granted marketing authorization for obinutuzumab for follicular lymphoma as part of combination regimens in 2013 (authorization timeline)
Interpretation
Regulatory & Access Interpretation
In 2013, the EMA granted marketing authorization for obinutuzumab for follicular lymphoma within combination regimens, showing how regulatory approvals advanced access to targeted lymphoma treatment under the Regulatory and Access category.
10 · Category
Diagnostics & Pathology3 stats
01
MYC rearrangements are present in roughly 8% of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma cases
02
BCL2 gene rearrangements occur in approximately 20% of follicular lymphoma cases
03
The International Prognostic Index (IPI) was originally derived from a cohort of 1,002 patients with aggressive NHL
Interpretation
Diagnostics & Pathology Interpretation
In Diagnostics and Pathology, key genetic markers appear in a minority but clinically meaningful share of lymphoma cases, with MYC rearrangements in about 8% of diffuse large B cell lymphoma and BCL2 rearrangements in roughly 20% of follicular lymphoma, while risk stratification still traces back to the International Prognostic Index derived from 1,002 patients with aggressive NHL.
report visual · Key figures
Treatment outcomes in lymphoma (selected trials)
Across several pivotal studies, reported response rates vary by therapy and lymphoma type.
54%
In ZUMA-1, 54% of patients had a complete response with axicabtagene ciloleucel
80%
In the TRANSFORM study for follicular lymphoma, mosunetuzumab achieved an overall response rate of 80% and a complete re
75%
In the pivotal phase 3 trial for brentuximab vedotin in classical Hodgkin lymphoma, overall response rate was 75% with c
58.9%
In the phase 3 ECHELON-1 trial for advanced peripheral T-cell lymphoma (PTCL), brentuximab vedotin plus CHP improved ove
71.7%
In the phase 3 ECHELON-2 trial for peripheral T-cell lymphoma, overall response rate was 71.7% with brentuximab vedotin
source-verifiednejm.org
Reference
Cite This Report
This report is designed to be cited. We maintain stable URLs and versioned verification dates. Copy the format appropriate for your publication below.
APA
Priya Chandrasekaran. (2026, February 13). Lymphoma Cancer Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/lymphoma-cancer-statistics
MLA
Priya Chandrasekaran. "Lymphoma Cancer Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/lymphoma-cancer-statistics.
Chicago
Priya Chandrasekaran. 2026. "Lymphoma Cancer Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/lymphoma-cancer-statistics.
Sources & references
50 datasets cited across this report · attribution is report-level
+33 additional datasets cited (not shown individually)