Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is a type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) that arises in lymph nodes or outside of the lymphatic system. It is the most common form of non-Hodgkin lymphoma among adults, with an annual incidence of 7–8 cases per 100,000 people. DLBCL is a fast-growing (aggressive) type of NHL that affects B-lymphocytes, which are a type of white blood cell that makes antibodies to fight infections.
DLBCL can develop in the lymph nodes or in extranodal sites such as the gastrointestinal tract, testes, thyroid, skin, breast, bone, brain, or essentially any organ of the body. It may be localized (in one spot) or generalized (spread throughout the body). The most common symptom of DLBCL is one or more painless swellings. Other symptoms may include unexplained fever, drenching night sweats, and unexplained weight loss.
DLBCL encompasses a biologically and clinically diverse set of disease subtypes, many of which are difficult to separate from one another based on well-defined and widely accepted criteria. There are different subtypes of DLBCL, including T-cell/histiocyte-rich large B-cell lymphoma, Epstein Barr virus positive DLBCL of the elderly, ALK positive large B cell lymphoma, primary mediastinal (thymic) large B cell lymphoma, and intravascular large B cell lymphoma.
DLBCL is very sensitive to chemotherapy, so it is used as the main treatment. Even though DLBCL is a fast-growing type of NHL, chemotherapy is effective for many people. DLBCL may come back (recurs), and medical researchers are studying different treatments for DLBCL that don’t respond to treatment or comes back.
