Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL)
Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is a common type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
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What is diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL)?
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Symptoms of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL)
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Causes of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL)
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Diagnosis of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL)
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The stages and grades of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL)
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Treatment for diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL)
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After treatment for diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL)
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Access our lymphoma information in other formats
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About our information
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How we can help
What is diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL)?
Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is a common type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma.DLBCL develops when B-cells become abnormal (cancerous). B-cells are white blood cells that normally help fight infection. They are sometimes called B-lymphocytes.
The abnormal B-cells (lymphoma cells) usually build up in lymph nodes, but they can affect other parts of the body.
DLBCL can affect people of all ages, but it is more common around the age of 70. It is slightly more common in men than in women.
DLBCL develops quickly. You will usually start treatment soon after your diagnosis.
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For healthcare professionals
If you are a healthcare professional, use our guide to find the right information and support for your patients affected by lymphoma. This explains the support available from Macmillan and from other trusted organisations.
Symptoms of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL)
Painless swelling in the neck, armpit or groin
Painless swelling in the neck, armpit or groin is often the first sign of DLBCL. It is caused by lymphoma cells building up in the lymph nodes, which makes them bigger. Often lymph nodes in more than one part of the body are affected.
B symptoms
Some people also have symptoms that doctors call B symptoms. These can include:
- drenching night sweats which require a change of nightwear and bed covers
- high temperatures (fevers) with no obvious cause
- unexplained weight loss.
Knowing if you have any B symptoms will help your doctor to stage the lymphoma and plan your treatment.
Other symptoms
DLBCL may also affect other parts of the body outside the lymph nodes, such as the stomach or bowel. This is called extranodal disease. Symptoms depend on the area affected.
General symptoms of DLBCL may include loss of appetite and tiredness.
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Causes of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL)
The causes of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) are mostly unknown. But some things may increase your risk of developing it.
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Weak immune system
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Autoimmune diseases
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Having a parent or sibling with DLBCL
Like other cancers, DLBCL is not infectious. It cannot be passed on to other people.
We have more about causes and risk factors in our information about non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
Diagnosis of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL)
Biopsy for lymphoma
The most common test for diagnosing lymphoma is a biopsy. A doctor will take a sample of tissue from the affected area. The most common place to take a biopsy from is an enlarged lymph node. This is called a lymph node biopsy). You may have all or a part of the lymph node removed. The tissue will be sent to a laboratory for testing. You may also have biopsies taken from other areas of your body.
You can read more about further tests you may have in our information about non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
Waiting for test results can be a difficult. You may find it helpful to talk to your family, friends or specialist nurse.
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Booklets and resources
The stages and grades of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL)
Your test results will help your doctors find out how many areas of your body are affected by lymphoma and where these areas are. This is called staging.
Knowing the stage of the lymphoma helps your doctor plan the right treatment for you.
Lymphomas are grouped as either low-grade or high-grade. Low-grade lymphomas are usually slow growing. High-grade lymphomas usually grow more quickly. Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is a high-grade, fast growing lymphoma.
We have more information about the stages of non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
Treatment for diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL)
A team of specialists will meet to discuss the best possible treatment for you. They are called a multidisciplinary team (MDT).
Your doctor, cancer specialist or nurse will explain the different treatments and their side effects to you. They will also talk to you about things to consider when making treatment decisions.
You may have some treatments as part of a clinical trial.
These are the most common treatments for DLBCL.
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Immunotherapy and chemotherapy
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Intrathecal chemotherapy
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Steroids
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Radiotherapy
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Stem cell transplants
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CAR-T cell therapy
We have more information about treating lymphoma that has come back.
After treatment for diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL)
People often have many different feelings when they finish lymphoma treatment. You may feel relieved that treatment has finished, but worried about what will happen in the future.
You will have appointments with your lymphoma doctor or nurse less often than before. But at the same time, you may have new challenges to cope with and things to think about.
We have information below about some of the things people ask about after lymphoma treatment. But you may have other questions or need information about something else. If there is something you want to talk about at any point after treatment, you can:
- call the Macmillan Support Line free on 0808 808 00 00
- chat to our specialists online
- visit our Online Community to talk to people who have been affected by lymphoma, share your experience, and ask an expert your questions.
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Other organisations who offer information and support
The organisations below also offer information and support:
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Blood Cancer UK
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Lymphoma Action
Lymphoma follow-up
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Side effects of lymphoma treatment
You may have some ongoing side effects as you recover from lymphoma treatment. You can use our impacts of cancer A-Z to search for information about managing different symptoms and side effects. Or find out more about side effects of treatment for Hodgkin lymphoma or treatment for non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
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Tiredness and fatigue
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Sexual well-being
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Fertility
Sometimes side effects may continue or develop months or years after treatment. These are called late effects. We have more information about long-term and late effects of treatment for lymphoma.
Well-being and recovery
It can take time to recover after lymphoma treatment. Some days you may feel better than others.
It is important to know where to get support or information if you need it. People often need support even some time after lymphoma treatment. But sometimes it is difficult to know who to ask for help. To find support:
- ask your GP or someone from your cancer team for advice about support in your area
- search cancercaremap.org to find cancer support services near you
- call us free on 0808 808 0000 or talk to us online - our cancer information and support specialists can offer guidance and help you find what you need.
Our course Help to Overcome Problems Effectively (HOPE) helps people during and after cancer treatment. It is a free, interactive, group based, self management support course. It runs for 6 weeks, with each weekly session lasting 2.5 hours. To find out more about HOPE courses in your area, email ServiceOpsSupport@macmillan.org.uk
A healthy lifestyle can help speed up your recovery. Even small lifestyle changes may improve your well-being and long-term health.
Related pages
Booklets and resources
Other useful information
Access our lymphoma information in other formats
We are working to make our website as accessible as possible. We want everyone to be able to use it to find the information they need. We have tips about using settings on your computer or device to help you use our website in our accessibility statement.
We also provide information in a range of languages and formats. If you cannot find the information you are looking for in the format or language you need, email us at cancerinformationteam@macmillan.org.uk
Order our non-Hodgkin lymphoma booklet
Download our lymphoma booklet and ebooks
Our Understanding non-Hodgkin lymphoma booklet is available as a pdf to download or view online and in ePub or Mobi formats to download.
Booklets and resources
Listen to our lymphoma audiobook
You can listen to our Understanding non-Hodgkin lymphoma audiobook. You can also search our full range of audiobooks.
Booklets and resources
Find non-Hodgkin lymphoma information in your language
We have a range of translated cancer information. This includes information about different cancer types, being diagnosed, cancer treatment, and side effects. We have some lymphoma information in the following languages. You can also search our most up to date list of web pages we have translated on request.
- Bulgarian - Mantle cell lymphoma / Мантелноклетъчен лимфом [PDF]
- German - Follicular lymphoma / Follikuläres Lymphom (FL) [PDF]
- Polish - Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) / Chłoniak rozlany z dużych komórek B [PDF]
- Polish - Lymphoma / Chłoniak [PDF]
- Slovak - Anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL) / Anaplastický veľkobunkový lymfóm [PDF]
- Slovak - Follicular lymphoma / Folikulový lymfóm [PDF]
- Tamil - Follicular lymphoma [PDF]
If you would like any of our lymphoma information translated into your language, please email cancerinformationteam@macmillan.org.uk
Watch British sign language videos
You can watch our BSL videos about cancer on YouTube.
Find our easy read booklets
Our easy read booklets use simple words and pictures to tell you about cancer. They can be useful if you want information that is easier to understand.
Looking for large print, Braille or another format?
If you would like our information in a different format such as large print or Braille, email us at cancerinformationteam@macmillan.org.uk or call us free on 0808 808 00 00.
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