Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma is the sixth most common cancer in the UK with more than 12,000 people diagnosed each year¹. It is a cancer of white blood cells called lymphocytes, which help to fight infection, and the lymphatic system - the tissue that makes the lymphocytes. Although there are many different types of non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, it usually appears when abnormal lymphocyte cells form a tumour in a lymph node (though tumours can appear anywhere in the body)². The risk of developing the disease increases with age and slightly more men are found to be affected¹.

Professor Mark Baker, director of the Centre of Clinical Practice at NICE, said: “There are a number of different subtypes of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma meaning diagnosis of the disease can be complex.

“Clinical understanding of this disease has improved with some specific, targeted treatments identified. NICE is developing a guideline to reflect this progress, and set out the best way to manage the condition.”

The draft guideline, which is open for consultation, contains recommendations for the management of six different subtypes of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. It considers which method of biopsy is most appropriate, which diagnostic test most suitable, how the stage of disease is best assessed and what treatment is likely to be most effective.

It also proposes recommendations for how best to support those people who complete their treatment. These include the provision of end-of-treatment summaries to be discussed with the patient and an increase in education on the possible relapse / late side-effects of their treatment.

Professor Baker added: “This draft guideline is now open for consultation. We want to hear from patients and all those who provide care for people with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma in the NHS so that we can produce a guideline which will support everyone who diagnoses, treats and has to live with this disease.”

The consultation closes on 11 March 2016 with the final guideline expected in the summer.

Ends

For more information call the NICE press office on 0300 323 0142 or out of hours on 07775 583 813.

References

¹NHS Choice (2014) ‘Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma’ Accessed online.

²Macmillan Cancer Support (2014) ‘Understanding Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma’ 14th edition. Next planned review 2017. Accessed online.

Notes to editors

1. The draft non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma guideline is available here: http://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/GID-CGWAVE0671/documents/short-version-of-draft-guideline.
2. This guideline covers adults and young people who are referred to secondary care with suspected non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, or who have newly diagnosed or relapsed non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.
3. The subtypes of Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma covered in this guideline are: diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, mantle cell lymphoma, follicular lymphoma, MALT lymphoma, Burkitt lymphoma and peripheral T-cell lymphoma. The treatments included are: radiotherapy, immunochemotherapy and stem cell transplantation.