Annual Cases of Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma Worldwide
In 2020, approximately 544,000-545,000 new cases of Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma (NHL) were diagnosed globally, with around 260,000 deaths from the disease. 1, 2
Global Incidence Data
The most recent comprehensive global data provides the following epidemiological picture:
- New cases annually: 544,000-545,000 worldwide in 2020 1, 2
- Deaths annually: Approximately 260,000 globally in 2020 1, 2
- United States: 69,740 new cases estimated in 2013, with 19,020 deaths 3
- United States (earlier data): 55,000-60,000 new cases annually, representing approximately 4% of all new cancer cases 3, 4
Regional Distribution Patterns
The geographic burden of NHL shows marked variation:
- Eastern Asia: Accounts for 24.9% of all global cases 1
- Northern America: Represents 15.1% of cases 1
- South-Central Asia: Comprises 9.7% of cases 1
- European Union crude incidence: 3-4 per 100,000 population per year for large cell lymphoma (which constitutes 30-58% of NHL) 3
Projected Future Burden
By 2040, NHL incident cases are projected to rise to approximately 778,000 globally, representing a significant increase driven primarily by aging populations and demographic changes. 2
Important Epidemiological Context
The incidence of NHL has demonstrated concerning trends:
- Historical increase: NHL incidence increased approximately 168% since 1975 in the United States 5
- Recent trends: A worldwide increase of approximately 30% occurred in the 5 years prior to 2010 6
- Current pattern: Incidence rates have stabilized in the past decade after dramatic increases starting around 1970, though absolute case numbers continue rising due to population aging 7, 2
High-Risk Geographic Regions
Incidence rates are highest (>10 per 100,000 for both sexes combined) in:
However, mortality rates are disproportionately higher (>3 per 100,000) in low- and middle-income regions including Africa, Western Asia, and Oceania, reflecting disparities in access to diagnostic and treatment facilities. 1