The burden of diagnosed incident cases of classical Hodgkin lymphoma in the 8MM* is forecast to increase at an annual growth rate (AGR) of 0.31%, from 27,000 in 2025 to 28,000 cases in 2035, according to GlobalData, a leading intelligence and productivity platform.

GlobalData’s latest report, “Hodgkin Lymphoma: Epidemiology Report and Forecast,” reveals that the US will have the highest number of diagnosed incident cases of classical Hodgkin lymphoma across the 8MM, with just over 8,700 cases in 2035. Japan, China, and the 5EU** are estimated to have approximately 2,600, 6,500, and 9,900 diagnosed incident cases in 2035, respectively.

While little is known about the causes of Hodgkin lymphoma, according to GlobalData epidemiologists, men were observed to have higher rates of cases when compared to women.

Robyn Jones, Epidemiologist at GlobalData, comments: “The forecast’s finding that classical Hodgkin lymphoma is more prominent in men is consistent with the broader academic literature. It is possible that sex hormones such as estrogen and progesterone provide some level of protection for women.”

There is some evidence to suggest that estrogen and progesterone, hormones associated with a woman’s reproductive cycle, may slow the rate of lymphoid cancer cells’ growth and decrease the likelihood of metastasis. However, further research is needed to validate this theory.

GlobalData epidemiologists also observed that China had markedly higher rates of classical Hodgkin lymphoma cases diagnosed at stage four. This likely reflects the presence of Epstein-Barr virus, its associated histology, and delays in diagnosis.

Jones concludes: “Classical Hodgkin lymphoma cases that are histologically classified as being mixed in cellularity are primarily associated with the presence of Epstein-Barr virus. This histological subtype tends to spread more diffusely at presentation, which could partially explain the high number of cases presenting at stage four in China.”

*8MM: The US, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, the UK, Japan, and China.

**5EU: France, Germany, Italy, Spain, the UK.