{"id":39815,"date":"2021-08-24T10:05:45","date_gmt":"2021-08-24T14:05:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=39815"},"modified":"2026-01-28T14:02:34","modified_gmt":"2026-01-28T19:02:34","slug":"hodgkins-vs-non-hodgkins","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/hodgkins-vs-non-hodgkins\/","title":{"rendered":"Hodgkin’s vs. non-Hodgkin’s: Compare causes, symptoms, treatments, & more"},"content":{"rendered":"

Hodgkin’s vs. non-Hodgkin’s causes<\/a> | Prevalence<\/a> | Symptoms<\/a> | Diagnosis<\/a> | Treatments<\/a> | Risk factors<\/a> | Prevention<\/a> | FAQs<\/a> | Resources<\/a><\/p>\n

Hodgkin\u2019s and <\/span>non-Hodgkin\u2019s lymphoma<\/span> (<\/span>NHL<\/span>) are two <\/span>types of lymphomas<\/span>. These cancers affect the <\/span>lymphocytes<\/span>, which are important <\/span>white blood cells<\/span> of the <\/span>immune system<\/span> that fight off germs. Because they have similar names, Hodgkin\u2019s and <\/span>non-Hodgkin\u2019s lymphoma<\/span> can often be confused for one another.<\/span><\/p>\n

The main difference between these lymphomas is in the type of <\/span>lymphocyte<\/span> they affect. Hodgkin\u2019s lymphoma causes mutations that lead to the development of abnormal <\/span>lymphocytes<\/span> called <\/span>Reed-Sternberg cells<\/span>. These cells are large, <\/span>abnormal cells<\/span> that are characteristic of Hodgkin\u2019s lymphoma. Hodgkin\u2019s and <\/span>non-Hodgkin\u2019s lymphoma<\/span> can also differ in <\/span>treatment options<\/span> and <\/span>risk factors<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Continue reading to learn more about the differences between Hodgkin\u2019s and <\/span>non-Hodgkin\u2019s lymphoma<\/span>.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Causes<\/h2>\n

Hodgkin’s<\/span><\/h3>\n

The exact cause of Hodgkin\u2019s lymphoma, sometimes referred to as <\/span>Hodgkin\u2019s disease<\/span>, is unknown. However, DNA mutations, or changes, in <\/span>B cell<\/span> lymphocytes<\/span> lead to the development of <\/span>Reed-Sternberg cells<\/span> that can grow and spread to other parts of the body. Exposure to radiation or other cancer-causing substances can also accelerate the development of cancers like Hodgkin\u2019s lymphoma. <\/span>Cancer research<\/span><\/a> is still ongoing to determine the exact genetic changes and DNA mutations that cause Hodgkin\u2019s lymphoma.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Non-Hodgkin’s<\/span><\/h3>\n

The exact cause of non-Hodgkin\u2019s is unknown. Like other forms of <\/span>blood cancers<\/span>, including Hodgkin\u2019s lymphoma, <\/span>non-Hodgkin\u2019s lymphoma<\/span> is linked to DNA mutations in <\/span>lymphocytes<\/span>. Mutations in <\/span>lymphocytes<\/span> can lead to abnormal <\/span>cancer cells<\/span> that can spread throughout the <\/span>lymphatic system<\/span> to other parts of the body. Exposure to certain infections and carcinogenic substances can contribute to <\/span>lymphocyte<\/span> changes over time.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Hodgkin’s vs. non-Hodgkin’s causes<\/span><\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Hodgkin’s<\/b><\/td>\nNon-Hodgkin’s<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
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  • Exact cause is unknown but may be attributed to DNA mutations in <\/span>lymphocytes<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n
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