From the Guidelines
Lymphoma most commonly develops in two distinct age groups, with the first peak occurring in young adults between 15 and 30 years of age, and a second peak in adults aged 55 years or older. This bimodal age distribution is particularly notable in Hodgkin lymphoma, as reported in the 2020 NCCN clinical practice guidelines in oncology 1. The guidelines highlight that most patients are diagnosed between 15 and 30 years of age, followed by another peak in adults aged 55 years or older.
Key Points
- The age distribution of lymphoma varies by subtype, with Non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) predominantly diagnosed in people over 60, and incidence rates increasing with age.
- Hodgkin lymphoma has a distinct bimodal age distribution, with peaks in young adults and older adults, as noted in the 2008 ESMO clinical recommendations for diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up 1.
- The increasing risk with age relates to accumulated genetic mutations, declining immune function, and longer exposure to environmental risk factors that can trigger abnormal lymphocyte growth and development.
Age Distribution
The specific age distribution of lymphoma subtypes is as follows:
- Follicular lymphoma typically affects middle-aged and older adults
- Burkitt lymphoma is more common in children and young adults
- Classic Hodgkin lymphoma (CHL) accounts for 95% of all Hodgkin lymphoma cases in Western countries, and is divided into four subtypes: nodular sclerosis CHL, mixed cellularity CHL, lymphocyte-depleted CHL, and lymphocyte-rich CHL, as described in the 2020 NCCN guidelines 1.
From the Research
Age Distribution of Lymphoma
- The most common age for developing lymphoma is not explicitly stated in the provided studies, but some studies provide information on the age distribution of lymphoma patients.
- A study published in 2021 2 found that the median age for B-cell lymphomas was 61, while the median age for T-cell lymphomas was 50.
- Another study published in 2025 3 focused on adolescents and young adults (AYA) with Hodgkin lymphoma, aged 15-25 years, but did not provide information on the most common age for developing lymphoma.
- Studies on pediatric non-Hodgkin lymphoma 4, 5 focused on patients under 20 years of age, but did not provide information on the most common age for developing lymphoma in the general population.
Lymphoma Subtypes and Age
- Different lymphoma subtypes may have different age distributions, as suggested by a study published in 2021 2 that found distinct median ages for B-cell and T-cell lymphomas.
- A study published in 2020 6 discussed various subtypes of lymphoma, including non-Hodgkin and Hodgkin lymphoma, but did not provide specific information on the age distribution of these subtypes.
Limitations of Available Data
- The available studies do not provide a clear answer to the question of the most common age for developing lymphoma, as they focus on specific subtypes, age groups, or geographic regions.
- Further research may be needed to determine the most common age for developing lymphoma in the general population, taking into account various subtypes and demographic factors.