Lymphoma is diagnosed in roughly 90,000 people each year in the United States

About 90,000 new cases of lymphoma are diagnosed annually in the U.S., though this number varies slightly from year to year. This makes lymphoma one of the more common cancers, but it is still far less frequent than cancers of the breast, lung, or colon. The actual number of people living with lymphoma at any given time is much higher—over 700,000—because many people survive for years or decades after diagnosis.

Lymphoma occurs in both children and adults, but the pattern differs by age. Most cases happen in people over 60, though it can develop at any age. Hodgkin lymphoma (one of the two main types) is less common than non-Hodgkin lymphoma, accounting for roughly 10 percent of all lymphoma diagnoses.

Key Takeaways

  • Approximately 90,000 new lymphoma cases are diagnosed each year in the United States.
  • Non-Hodgkin lymphoma is far more common than Hodgkin lymphoma, making up about 90 percent of all cases.
  • Lymphoma can occur at any age, but most diagnoses happen in people over 60.
  • More than 700,000 people in the U.S. are currently living with a lymphoma diagnosis.
  • Survival rates have improved significantly over the past two decades due to newer treatments.

How lymphoma rates break down by type

Non-Hodgkin lymphoma accounts for about 85,000 of the 90,000 annual diagnoses. This category includes dozens of subtypes that behave very differently from one another—some grow slowly and others aggressively, and they respond differently to treatment. The most common subtype is diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, followed by follicular lymphoma.

Hodgkin lymphoma is diagnosed in roughly 8,000 to 9,000 people per year. It tends to spread in a more predictable pattern than non-Hodgkin lymphoma and often has better survival outcomes, particularly when caught early. Hodgkin lymphoma is also more common in younger adults and in people over 55, with a dip in the middle years.

Who gets lymphoma most often

Age is the strongest risk factor. The median age at diagnosis for non-Hodgkin lymphoma is around 67, meaning half of cases occur in people older than that. Hodgkin lymphoma has a different pattern, with peaks in the late 20s and again after age 55.

Men are diagnosed with lymphoma slightly more often than women—roughly 55 percent of cases occur in men. Certain ethnic and racial groups have different rates: non-Hispanic white people have higher rates of both types than Black or Hispanic populations, though the reasons for this are not fully understood and may reflect differences in screening, access to care, or underlying biology.

People with weakened immune systems—whether from HIV, organ transplant medications, or certain autoimmune conditions—have higher lymphoma risk. A history of certain infections, including Epstein-Barr virus and hepatitis C, also increases risk, though most people with these infections never develop lymphoma.

How lymphoma rates have changed over time

The number of new lymphoma diagnoses has remained relatively stable over the past 20 years, though this reflects a balance between increasing rates in older age groups and decreasing rates in younger people. The reasons for these shifts are not entirely clear, but may involve changes in screening practices, environmental exposures, or infection patterns.

What has changed dramatically is survival. Five-year survival rates for both Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin lymphoma have improved substantially since the 1990s, largely because of newer drugs and combination treatments. For Hodgkin lymphoma, five-year survival is now around 90 percent overall, and much higher for people diagnosed at earlier stages.

Geographic and regional variation

Lymphoma rates vary somewhat by region within the United States, though the differences are modest. Rates tend to be slightly higher in the Northeast and Midwest compared to the South and West, but these variations are small enough that they may reflect differences in how cases are counted or reported rather than true differences in disease occurrence.

Internationally, lymphoma rates are higher in developed countries than in developing countries, which may reflect better detection and reporting systems, older populations, or differences in infection exposure and immune system factors.

What these numbers mean for someone newly diagnosed

Being told you have lymphoma can feel isolating, but the numbers show you are not alone—thousands of people receive this diagnosis each year and many live for years or decades afterward. The fact that you are one of 90,000 annual cases also means there is substantial research funding, many treatment options, and doctors with significant experience managing the disease.

Your individual outlook depends far more on the specific subtype of lymphoma you have, the stage at diagnosis, your age, and your overall health than on the general statistics. Your doctor can discuss what the numbers mean for your particular situation, based on your pathology report and imaging results.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is lymphoma becoming more common?

The overall number of new diagnoses has stayed relatively stable over the past 20 years. Rates in older adults have increased slightly, while rates in younger people have decreased slightly. These shifts may reflect changes in screening or aging of the population rather than true increases in disease.

What is the difference between the number of new cases and people living with lymphoma?

About 90,000 new cases are diagnosed each year, but over 700,000 people are currently living with lymphoma because many people survive for years or decades. This gap shows that survival has improved significantly and that many people diagnosed years ago are still alive.

Are some types of lymphoma more common in certain age groups?

Yes. Non-Hodgkin lymphoma is most common in people over 60. Hodgkin lymphoma has two peaks—one in the late 20s and another after age 55. Childhood lymphomas are rare and represent only a small fraction of all cases.

Why do men get lymphoma more often than women?

Men are diagnosed about 10 to 15 percent more often than women, but the reason is not fully understood. It may involve differences in immune system function, exposure to risk factors, or how the disease develops biologically, but researchers are still investigating.

Does where I live affect my lymphoma risk?

Lymphoma rates vary slightly by region within the U.S., but the differences are small. Living in a developed country with good medical screening increases the chance of diagnosis, but this reflects detection rather than true differences in how often the disease occurs.