The main difference between HL and NHL is in the specific lymphocyte each affects.

HL involves a specific key in of abnormal lymphocyte called aReed-Sternberg cellwhich has more than one nucleus.

Another difference is the pattern of disease development.

warning signs of lymphoma

Verywell / Brianna Gilmartin

HL is also far less common than NHL, accounting for around 15% of cases.

How Long Can You Live With Lymphoma?

During this time, you may be entirelyasymptomatic(without symptoms).

With both HL and NHL, lymphadenopathy is the defining symptom.

Lymphadenopathy is commonly accompanied by so-called “B symptoms” which arise collaterally to themalignancy.

These distinctions account for symptoms that are more common in people with HL and uncommon in those with NHL.

Nodal lymphoma refers to lymphoma that occurs within thelymphatic system.

Extranodal lymphoma describes lymphoma that occurs outside the lymphatic system, causing symptoms based on the location.

NHL types affecting the small intestine include MALT,mantle cell lymphoma,Burkitt lymphoma, andenteropathy-associated lymphoma.

Skin

Cutaneous (skin) lymphoma occurs with both HL and NHL.

HL rarely affects the bone.

It also suppresses leukocytes (white blood cells) produced in the bone marrow, leading toleukopenia.

By this stage of the disease, the lungs are usually not the only organs involved.

Liver

Primary liver lymphoma is extremely rare and almost exclusively associated with NHL.

Secondary liver lymphoma affects 15% of people with NHL and 10% of those with HL.

It typically manifests with painless swelling, usually in one testicle only.

Females can develop lymphoma in tissues surrounding the genitals, known as theadnexa.

Genital involvement in females is rare, although cases involving the cervix and uterus have been reported.

The most telling cluepersistent lymphadenopathy with no known causewarrants immediate investigation.

With Hodgkin lymphoma, there may also be severe itching, coughing, chest pain, and difficulty breathing.

2016;127(20):2375-90. doi:10.1182/blood-2016-01-643569

American Cancer Society.Signs and symptoms of Hodgkin lymphoma.

American Cancer Society.Signs and symptoms of non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

Moffitt Cancer Center.Hodgkin’s lymphoma vs non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

MD Anderson Cancer Center.Hodgkin vs. non-Hodgkin lymphoma: whats the difference?

National Cancer Institute.Cancer fast stat: Hodgkin lymphoma.

National Cancer Institute.Cancer fast stat: non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

National Organization for Rare Disorders.Primary gastric lymphoma.

National Organization for Rare Disorders.Cutaneous T-cell lymphomas.

American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.Primary lymphoma of bone.

2014;127(3):e3-4.

2018;68(2):116-132. doi:10.3322/caac.21438

American Cancer Society.Non-Hodgkin lymphoma risk factors.

2014;2(1):42-56.