There are many categories of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and the main types will be briefly described. Lymphoblastic lymphoma is a high grade lymphoma, is composed of precursor T or B lymphoid cells, and can occur in all age groups but is more common in the young. The leukemic form is referred to as acute lymphocytic leukemia. The leukemic form is referred to as chronic lymphocytic leukemia. A follicular lymphoma composed mainly of small cleaved cells is a low grade lymphoma and the leukemic form has been referred to as lymphosarcoma.
Follicular lymphoma composed mainly of large cells is of intermediate grade.
Follicular lymphoma of mixed cell types also occurs. Mantle cell lymphoma is an aggressive lymphoma of small B-cells derived from the follicle mantle. It occurs in older adults. Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma is an intermediate grade lymphoma which occurs in all age groups and more frequently in older adults. Burkitt's lymphoma is a high grade B-cell lymphoma occurring more frequently in the young.