Overview
Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, often called DLBCL, is the most common type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma — a cancer that starts in white blood cells called B-cells, which are part of your immune system. In DLBCL, these B-cells grow out of control and form tumors that can appear in lymph nodes (the small glands found throughout your body) or in organs like the stomach, brain, or lungs. The disease is called 'diffuse' because the abnormal cells spread throughout the affected tissue rather than forming a tight cluster. DLBCL can cause swollen lumps under the skin, unexplained fevers, drenching night sweats, and significant weight loss. Some people feel very tired or notice a lump in their neck, armpit, or groin. Because it can grow quickly, symptoms may appear and worsen over weeks rather than months. The good news is that DLBCL is often treatable and can sometimes be cured. The standard treatment is a combination chemotherapy regimen called R-CHOP, which includes the targeted drug rituximab. Many patients respond well to treatment, and newer therapies like CAR-T cell therapy are available for cases that come back after initial treatment. Early diagnosis and prompt treatment give the best chance of a good outcome.
Also known as:
Key symptoms:
Painless swollen lymph nodes in the neck, armpit, or groinUnexplained fever lasting more than a few daysDrenching night sweats that soak clothing or beddingUnexplained weight loss of more than 10% of body weightExtreme tiredness or fatigue that does not improve with restFeeling full quickly or abdominal swelling if the lymphoma is in the bellyShortness of breath or chest pain if lymphoma is in the chestHeadaches, confusion, or vision changes if lymphoma affects the brainItchy skinFrequent infections due to a weakened immune system
Sporadic
Usually appears on its own, not inherited from a parent
Adult
Begins in adulthood (age 18 or older)
FDA & Trial Timeline
10 eventsCity of Hope Medical Center — PHASE2
Sheba Medical Center — PHASE1, PHASE2
American University of Beirut Medical Center — PHASE2
Abramson Cancer Center at Penn Medicine — PHASE1
Sun Yat-sen University — PHASE1, PHASE2
International Extranodal Lymphoma Study Group (IELSG)
Cancer Institute and Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences — NA
Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital — PHASE2
Data sourced from FDA regulatory filings and ClinicalTrials.gov. Updated periodically.
Treatments
4 availableRituxan
Previously untreated diffuse large B-cell lymphoma in combination with cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, prednisone (CHOP) or other anthracycline-based chemotherapy regimens
Rituxan SC
Treatment of adult patients with previously untreated diffuse large B-cell lymphoma in combination with cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, prednisone (CHOP) or other anthracycline-based chemo…
Treatment of adult patients with previously untreated diffuse large B-cell lymphoma in combination with cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, prednisone (CHOP) or other anthracycline-based chemotherapy regimens
Zynlonta
treatment of adult patients with relapsed or refractory large B-cell lymphoma after two or more lines of systemic therapy, including diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) not otherwise specified, DLBC…
treatment of adult patients with relapsed or refractory large B-cell lymphoma after two or more lines of systemic therapy, including diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) not otherwise specified, DLBCL arising from low grade lymphoma, and high-grade B-cell lymphoma
MONJUVI
MONJUVI� is indicated in combination with lenalidomide for the treatment of adult patients with relapsed or refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) not otherwise specified, including DLBCL …
MONJUVI� is indicated in combination with lenalidomide for the treatment of adult patients with relapsed or refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) not otherwise specified, including DLBCL arising from low grade lymphoma, and who are not eligible for autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT)
Treatment Centers
8 centersUniversity of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center
📍 Madison, Wisconsin
Stanford Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Stanford Medicine
📍 Stanford, CA
🏥 NORDMayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine ↗
Mayo Clinic
📍 Rochester, MN
👤 Mayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine
🔬 UDNUCLA UDN Clinical Site ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
🔬 UDNBaylor College of Medicine UDN Clinical Site ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🔬 UDNHarvard/MGH UDN Clinical Site ↗
Massachusetts General Hospital
📍 Boston, MA
🔬 UDNNIH Clinical Center Undiagnosed Diseases Program ↗
National Institutes of Health
📍 Bethesda, MD
🏥 NORDBaylor College of Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
Financial Resources
6 resourcesPOLIVY
Genentech
Diffuse Large B-cell Lymphoma
EPKINLY
Genmab
Diffuse Large B-cell Lymphoma
Travel Grants
No travel grants are currently matched to Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma.
Community
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Start the conversation →Latest news about Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma
Disease timeline:
New recruiting trial: Xinlikang Capsule for Chemotherapy-induced Fatigue and Immune Disorders in Diffuse Large B Lymphoma
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma
New recruiting trial: A Study of Zilovertamab Vedotin (MK-2140) in Combination With Standard of Care in Participants With Relapsed or Refractory Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma (rrDLBCL) (MK-2140-003)
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma
New recruiting trial: Study of Acalabrutinib and Rituximab in Untreated Elderly and/or Frail Patients With DLBCL
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma
New recruiting trial: Large Fraction Radiation Therapy Combined With Lenalidomide, and Glofitamab in Refractory Relapsed DLBCL
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma
New recruiting trial: A Phase 1 Study of UB-VV111 With and Without Rapamycin in Relapsed/Refractory CD19+ B-cell Malignancies
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma
New recruiting trial: Radiation Dose Optimization in Diffuse Large B- Cell Lymphoma.
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma
New recruiting trial: A Study to Investigate Ronde-cel Versus Investigator's Choice CD19 CAR T-Cell Therapy
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma
New recruiting trial: Study of Safety and Efficacy of TC011 in the Relapsed/Refractory Large B Cell Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma Patients
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma
New recruiting trial: A Study to Evaluate the Pharmacokinetics and Safety of Loncastuximab Tesirine in Participants With Relapsed or Refractory Diffuse Large B-cell Lymphoma or High-grade B-cell Lymphoma With Hepatic Impairment (LOTIS-10)
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma
New recruiting trial: Study of IOMAB-ACT Followed by CAR-T Cell Therapy for Patients Relapsed or Refractory (Diffuse Large B-cell Lymphoma
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma
Caregiver Resources
NORD Caregiver Resources
Support, advocacy, and financial assistance for caregivers of rare disease patients.
Mental Health Support
Rare disease caregiving can be isolating. Connect with counseling and peer support.
Family & Caregiver Grants
Financial assistance programs specifically for caregivers of rare disease patients.
Social Security Disability
Learn how rare disease patients may qualify for SSDI/SSI benefits.
Questions for your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment
- Q1.What subtype of DLBCL do I have, and does it affect my treatment plan?,What stage is my lymphoma, and what does that mean for my prognosis?,Is R-CHOP the right treatment for me, or are there clinical trials I should consider?,What are the most important side effects I should watch for during treatment, and when should I call you?,What is the plan if my lymphoma does not respond to the first treatment or comes back?,Should I have my tumor tested for MYC, BCL2, or BCL6 rearrangements, and what would that mean for my care?,Are there support services — such as social work, nutrition counseling, or mental health support — available to me during treatment?
Common questions about Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma
What is Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma?
Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, often called DLBCL, is the most common type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma — a cancer that starts in white blood cells called B-cells, which are part of your immune system. In DLBCL, these B-cells grow out of control and form tumors that can appear in lymph nodes (the small glands found throughout your body) or in organs like the stomach, brain, or lungs. The disease is called 'diffuse' because the abnormal cells spread throughout the affected tissue rather than forming a tight cluster. DLBCL can cause swollen lumps under the skin, unexplained fevers, drenching night s
How is Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma inherited?
Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma follows a sporadic inheritance pattern. Genetic counseling can help families understand recurrence risk and testing options.
At what age does Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma typically begin?
Typical onset of Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma is adult. Age of onset can vary across affected individuals.
Are there clinical trials for Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma?
Yes — 20 recruiting clinical trials are currently listed for Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma on UniteRare. See the clinical trials section on this page for phase, sponsor, and site details sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov.
Which specialists treat Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma?
25 specialists and care centers treating Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma are listed on UniteRare, sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov principal investigators, published research, and the NPPES NPI registry.
What treatment and support options exist for Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma?
5 patient support programs are currently tracked on UniteRare for Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. See the treatments and support programs sections for copay assistance, eligibility, and contact details.