World Lymphoma Awareness Day 2026: Navigating Lymphoma and CLL Together

A diagnosis of lymphoma (small ) or chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) generally comes with many questions: What exactly is the condition? How serious is it? Does treatment need to begin right away? The answers are not always straightforward because lymphoma is not a single disease, and CLL, although closely linked to the lymphatic system, follows its own course. This World Lymphoma Awareness Day 2026, the theme “Navigating Lymphoma and CLL Together” puts the focus on recognising symptoms, understanding the diagnosis, and making informed treatment decisions – and knowing how lymphoma and CLL differ, and where they overlap, is an important first step.

What is World Lymphoma Awareness Day?

Observed every year on 15 September, World Lymphoma Awareness Day is a global initiative dedicated to improving awareness and understanding of lymphoma. It helps bring attention to symptoms that may require medical evaluation, the importance of an accurate diagnosis and the experiences of people living with lymphoma.

The day also creates an opportunity to address misconceptions about the disease. Lymphoma does not follow one predictable course, and treatment is not the same for everyone. Better awareness helps people know when to seek medical advice and helps patients and families understand why specialised evaluation matters after a diagnosis.

World Lymphoma Awareness Day 2026 Theme: “Navigating Lymphoma and CLL Together”

The 2026 theme shifts the conversation from awareness alone to how people find their way through lymphoma and CLL care. Navigation may involve understanding unfamiliar medical terms, making sense of test results, discussing treatment choices, managing side effects and knowing what to expect during follow-up or survivorship.

Including chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) in the theme also recognises its close relationship with small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL). Although CLL and SLL are considered manifestations of the same disease, their clinical presentation and care journey may differ.

At its core, the theme reinforces a simple message: people affected by lymphoma and CLL benefit from clear information, informed decisions and appropriate support at every stage of care.

Understanding Lymphoma and CLL

Lymphoma is a broad term for cancers that begin in cells of the lymphatic system. These cancers develop from lymphocytes, a type of white blood cell that helps the immune system fight infection. The two main groups are Hodgkin lymphoma and non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL).

Chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) is also a cancer of lymphocytes, although its name describes it as a type of leukaemia. CLL is closely linked to small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL). In fact, CLL and SLL are considered different presentations of the same disease.

The main difference lies in where most of the cancer cells are found:

• In CLL, they are found mainly in the blood and bone marrow.
• In SLL, they are found mainly in the lymph nodes.

Together, CLL/SLL is classified as a type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

Understanding this connection also explains why World Lymphoma Awareness Day 2026 brings lymphoma and CLL together under one theme.

Types of Lymphoma and Why an Accurate Diagnosis Matters

Once lymphoma is suspected, identifying the exact type becomes important because different lymphomas may behave and respond to treatment differently.

Hodgkin Lymphoma

Hodgkin lymphoma is a distinct group of lymphomas. Most cases are classified as classic Hodgkin lymphoma, in which characteristic abnormal cells called Reed-Sternberg cells may be identified when affected tissue is examined under a microscope. Hodgkin lymphoma itself includes different subtypes.

Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma

Non-Hodgkin lymphoma includes a much larger and more varied group of lymphomas. They may develop from different immune cells, most commonly B cells or T cells, and are further divided into specific subtypes.

Examples of B-cell lymphomas include:

• Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL)
• Follicular lymphoma
• Mantle cell lymphoma
• CLL/SLL

Indolent and Aggressive Lymphomas

Doctors may also describe non-Hodgkin lymphomas according to how quickly they usually grow:

• Indolent lymphoma generally progresses more slowly. In some cases, treatment may not be required immediately.
• Aggressive lymphoma grows more quickly and generally requires treatment sooner.

These terms describe the usual behaviour of the disease, not simply how serious a diagnosis is or how well treatment may work.

Why Does the Exact Lymphoma Type Matter?

A lymphoma diagnosis needs to answer more than “Is lymphoma present?” Doctors also need to determine which lymphoma it is.

The exact type and subtype help guide further assessment and treatment decisions. This is why two people diagnosed with lymphoma may require very different approaches, even when both are described broadly as having the same kind of blood cancer.

Lymphoma Symptoms: What Changes Should You Pay Attention To?

Lymphoma symptoms vary depending on the type of lymphoma and where it develops in the body. One of the more recognised signs is a painless swelling of a lymph node, often in the neck, armpit or groin. Other symptoms may affect the whole body or appear when enlarged lymph nodes or lymphoma involve particular organs.

Possible symptoms include:

• Painless swelling or a lump in the neck, armpit or groin
• Unexplained fever
• Drenching night sweats
• Unintentional weight loss
• Persistent tiredness or weakness
• Unexplained itching
• Cough, breathlessness or chest discomfort when lymphoma affects lymph nodes in the chest
• Abdominal discomfort or swelling when lymph nodes or organs in the abdomen are involved

Fever, drenching night sweats and significant unexplained weight loss are sometimes referred to as “B symptoms” in lymphoma. Doctors consider their presence when assessing and staging certain lymphomas.

When Should Persistent Symptoms Be Checked?

Many lymphoma symptoms are not specific to cancer. Swollen lymph nodes, fever and tiredness commonly occur with infections and other conditions, and having one of these symptoms does not mean a person has lymphoma.

What matters is the pattern. A swelling that persists or grows, or symptoms that remain unexplained, recur or worsen, deserve medical assessment. Rather than trying to identify lymphoma from symptoms alone, timely evaluation helps determine what is causing the changes and whether further tests are necessary.

Diagnosing Lymphoma: Why the Exact Subtype Matters

Symptoms and enlarged lymph nodes may raise suspicion of lymphoma, but they do not confirm it. Diagnosis usually begins with a medical history and physical examination, followed by tests selected according to the symptoms and areas involved.

A biopsy of an affected lymph node or other tissue plays a central role in confirming lymphoma. The tissue is examined by a pathologist to identify abnormal lymphocytes and determine the type of lymphoma. Additional techniques such as immunohistochemistry or immunophenotyping help distinguish one lymphoma subtype from another, while cytogenetic or molecular tests may provide further information in selected cases.

Other investigations may include:

• Blood tests, including a complete blood count and blood chemistry tests
• CT scans to assess lymph nodes and organs inside the body
• PET-CT scans for staging and assessment of many lymphoma types
• Bone marrow examination in selected situations
• Other tests depending on the lymphoma subtype, symptoms and areas suspected to be involved

PET-CT has an established role in staging Hodgkin lymphoma and is also widely used in the assessment of several non-Hodgkin lymphomas.

Once lymphoma is confirmed, doctors assess its subtype, stage and other disease characteristics. This information shows where the lymphoma is present, helps predict how it may behave and guides the treatment strategy. The objective is not simply to diagnose lymphoma, but to identify it precisely enough to choose an approach suited to the disease and the individual.

Lymphoma Treatment is Becoming Increasingly Individualised

There is no single treatment plan for lymphoma. The approach depends on the type and subtype of lymphoma, how quickly it is progressing, its stage, specific disease characteristics, previous treatment and the person’s overall health. This is why establishing an accurate diagnosis before treatment begins matters so much.

Treatment Options for Lymphoma

Depending on the diagnosis, treatment may involve one or more of the following:

• Active surveillance or watchful waiting: Some people with selected slow-growing lymphomas or CLL may not require treatment immediately. Doctors monitor the disease and begin treatment when clinical changes make it necessary.
• Chemotherapy: Anti-cancer medicines remain an important part of treatment for many Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin lymphomas, often as part of a combination treatment plan.
• Immunotherapy: These treatments work with the immune system to recognise or attack cancer cells. Monoclonal antibodies and immune checkpoint inhibitors are used in the treatment of certain lymphomas.
• Targeted therapy: Targeted medicines act on specific proteins or biological pathways involved in the growth or survival of lymphoma cells and play an increasing role in several lymphoma subtypes.
• Radiotherapy: Radiation may form part of treatment for certain lymphomas depending on the subtype, stage, location and other clinical factors.
• Stem cell transplantation: High-dose treatment followed by a blood-forming stem cell transplant may be considered for selected patients, including some whose lymphoma returns or does not respond adequately to earlier treatment.
• CAR T-cell therapy: This personalised form of immunotherapy is an option for certain people with specific B-cell lymphomas, particularly in some relapsed or treatment-resistant settings.

Not every person needs all, or even several, of these treatments. Some lymphomas respond well to established treatment combinations, while others require targeted or cellular therapies based on the disease and its response to previous treatment. The aim is to match treatment to the lymphoma rather than treat every lymphoma in the same way.

Navigating Lymphoma Means Looking Beyond Treatment

For someone living with lymphoma or CLL, navigating care involves more than completing treatment. Patients may need support in understanding their diagnosis, managing treatment-related effects, knowing which changes to report and preparing for follow-up after treatment ends.

Support may include nutrition guidance, symptom and side-effect management, psychological support, rehabilitation and help for family members or caregivers, depending on individual needs. Some effects of cancer treatment may also continue or appear after treatment, which makes ongoing communication with the healthcare team important. NCI recommends regular follow-up care after cancer treatment to monitor recovery, address ongoing or late effects and check for changes that may require further assessment.

Questions Worth Asking Your Cancer Care Team

Clear information often makes the lymphoma journey easier to understand. Patients and families may find it helpful to ask:

• What type and subtype of lymphoma do I have?
• What does the stage mean in my case?
• What is the goal of my treatment?
• Why is this treatment being recommended?
• Which side effects or symptoms should I report?
• How will doctors assess whether treatment is working?
• What follow-up will I need after treatment?
• Are there any long-term effects I need to watch for?

Follow-up needs differ according to the lymphoma, treatment received and individual health factors. Keeping a record of symptoms, side effects and questions also helps patients make follow-up consultations more useful.

The 2026 theme, “Navigating Lymphoma and CLL Together,” reflects this wider reality: good cancer care involves not only choosing treatment, but also helping patients understand and navigate each stage of the journey.

Expert Lymphoma Care at RGCIRC

At Rajiv Gandhi Cancer Institute & Research Centre (RGCIRC), lymphoma care brings together specialists across haemato-oncology, pathology, radiology, molecular diagnostics and supportive care to guide patients from diagnosis through treatment and follow-up. A multidisciplinary tumour board approach helps review complex cases and plan treatment according to the lymphoma subtype, stage and individual clinical needs.

RGCIRC supports lymphoma evaluation and treatment with facilities such as digital PET-CT, advanced molecular diagnostics, next-generation sequencing where clinically appropriate, and a dedicated bone marrow transplant unit, alongside chemotherapy, immunotherapy and other specialised oncology services.

If you or a family member has persistent symptoms, a recent lymphoma diagnosis or needs a second opinion, timely specialist evaluation helps clarify the next steps.

To consult a cancer specialist at RGCIRC, call +91-11-47022222 or visit www.rgcirc.org.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is World Lymphoma Awareness Day 2026?

World Lymphoma Awareness Day is observed on 15 September every year. In 2026, the campaign focuses on helping people affected by lymphoma and CLL navigate the journey from diagnosis through survivorship.

What is the theme of World Lymphoma Awareness Day 2026?

The official 2026 theme is “Navigating Lymphoma and CLL Together.” It highlights the importance of information, guidance and support throughout the patient journey.

Does a swollen lymph node always mean lymphoma?

No. Swollen lymph nodes occur for many reasons, including infections and other health conditions. Lymphoma may also cause painless lymph node swelling, so a lump that persists, grows or remains unexplained needs medical assessment.

Why is CLL included in a lymphoma awareness campaign?

Chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) and small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL) are considered the same disease, although they are named differently depending largely on where the cancer cells are found. CLL/SLL is classified as a type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

Which doctor should you consult if lymphoma is suspected?

If lymphoma is suspected, you should consult a haematologist-oncologist (haemato-oncologist), a specialist who diagnoses and treats blood cancers such as lymphoma and CLL. Depending on your symptoms, you may first see a general physician or another specialist who refers you for further evaluation. Diagnosis may involve blood tests, imaging and a lymph node or tissue biopsy, with a haematopathologist helping confirm the exact type of lymphoma.

Which is the best hospital for lymphoma treatment in Delhi?

Rajiv Gandhi Cancer Institute and Research Centre (RGCIRC) offers specialised lymphoma care through its dedicated Haemato-Oncology and Bone Marrow Transplant team. The centre brings together experienced haemato-oncologists, dedicated haemato-pathology and molecular laboratories, a specialised BMT unit and multidisciplinary cancer care to support accurate diagnosis and personalised treatment for different types of lymphoma.