This year, an estimated 800 people under age 20 will be diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma, including about 500 children under the age of 15. NHL accounts for about 4% of all childhood cancers [2]. It occurs more often in boys than girls.

The overall five-year survival rate (the percentage of people who survive at least five years after the cancer is detected, excluding those who die from other diseases) of children with all types of NHL is about 86%, but depends on several factors, including the specific subtype of NHL and the stage of disease.

Cancer survival statistics should be interpreted with caution. These estimates are based on data from thousands of people with this type of cancer, but the actual risk for a particular individual may differ. It is not possible to tell a person how long he or she will live with childhood NHL. Because the survival statistics are measured in five-year intervals, they may not represent advances made in the treatment or diagnosis of this cancer. Learn more about understanding statistics [3].

Statistics adapted from the American Cancer Society’s publication, Cancer Facts & Figures 2013 and the ACS website.

Last Updated: February 6, 2013