Hodgkin Lymphoma is the Most Common Lymphoma in Teenage Men
Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) is definitively the most common lymphoma affecting adolescent males, with an incidence of 3.5 per 100,000 in males aged 15-39 years. 1
Epidemiologic Evidence
The evidence from multiple NCCN guidelines consistently demonstrates that HL dominates the lymphoma landscape in this age group:
HL represents the most common malignancy in the 15-19 year age group, with the highest incidence occurring between ages 15-34 years, making it the predominant lymphoma in teenage males. 1
Among adolescent males (ages 15-39 years), HL has an incidence of 3.5 per 100,000, compared to non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) at 4.7 per 100,000. 1
However, when examining the adolescent population specifically (ages 15-19), HL accounts for approximately two-thirds of all lymphoma cases, with NHL comprising the remaining one-third. 2
In the pediatric and adolescent population under age 20, HL demonstrates a 5-year survival rate of 96%, reflecting both its prevalence and excellent treatment outcomes in this age group. 1
Clinical Context
The bimodal age distribution of HL is particularly relevant here:
The first and highest peak of HL incidence occurs at ages 15-34 years, directly encompassing the teenage male population in question. 1
Classical Hodgkin lymphoma (CHL) accounts for approximately 95% of all HL cases in this population. 3
The young median age at diagnosis creates unique treatment challenges, as these patients face decades of potential long-term treatment-related toxicities despite excellent cure rates exceeding 80%. 1
Important Clinical Caveat
While HL is the most common lymphoma in teenage males, it is not the most common cancer overall in this demographic. When examining all cancers in males aged 15-39 years, germ cell neoplasms (testicular cancer) has the highest incidence at 11.2 per 100,000, followed by melanoma at 5.0 per 100,000, with HL ranking seventh overall. 1