Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is the most common type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma in the United States, accounting for roughly 30% of all NHL diagnoses. It is also one of the cancers most consistently linked to glyphosate exposure in the epidemiologic literature. For Roundup litigation, DLBCL is among the strongest qualifying diagnoses. This guide walks through what DLBCL is, what treatment involves, and how DLBCL Roundup cases get built.
What DLBCL Is
DLBCL is an aggressive lymphoma that develops from mature B cells — one of the two main types of lymphocyte. The "diffuse" describes the microscopic pattern when pathologists examine the affected tissue: the cancer cells spread broadly through lymphoid tissue rather than forming nodules. "Large" refers to the size of the malignant cells. "B-cell" identifies the cell lineage.
DLBCL typically presents as a rapidly enlarging lymph node mass, often in the neck, chest, abdomen, or groin. Constitutional symptoms (fever, night sweats, weight loss) are common in advanced disease. DLBCL grows fast — if untreated, it is often fatal within months. With treatment, it is one of the most curable aggressive lymphomas.
Standard Treatment
The standard first-line treatment is R-CHOP — a combination of:
- Rituximab (anti-CD20 antibody)
- Cyclophosphamide
- Hydroxydaunorubicin (doxorubicin)
- Oncovin (vincristine)
- Prednisone
R-CHOP is typically delivered as six cycles, three weeks apart. For high-risk patients or relapsed disease, additional treatments may include:
- Autologous stem cell transplant.
- CAR-T cell therapy (Yescarta, Kymriah, Breyanzi).
- Bispecific antibody therapies.
- Additional chemotherapy regimens for relapse.
Outcomes vary substantially by stage, age, performance status, and molecular subtype. Roughly 60-70% of DLBCL patients are cured with first-line therapy. The remainder face relapsed or refractory disease with progressively limited options.
The Glyphosate Connection
The epidemiologic evidence linking glyphosate to NHL specifically includes DLBCL. The 2015 IARC Monograph 112 cited human studies showing elevated NHL rates in glyphosate-exposed workers. Subsequent meta-analyses have continued to support the association, with effect sizes that vary by exposure intensity and duration.
For DLBCL specifically, the case strength turns on documenting the exposure intensity and duration alongside the diagnosis.
What DLBCL Roundup Cases Need
- Pathology confirmation of DLBCL diagnosis. The pathology report identifying DLBCL specifically.
- Treatment history — R-CHOP cycles, response, relapses if any, subsequent therapies.
- Substantial Roundup or glyphosate exposure history.
- Exposure documentation — employment records, product use records, or contemporaneous testimony.
- Absence of competing major cancer risk factors that would defeat causation.
The Damages Picture
DLBCL cases capture the full range of compensatory damages:
- Acute treatment costs (R-CHOP, hospitalization, infections, supportive care).
- Long-term follow-up costs (surveillance imaging, lab work, oncology visits).
- Additional therapies for relapsed or refractory disease (transplant, CAR-T).
- Lost wages and reduced earning capacity during and after treatment.
- Long-term sequelae — cardiac effects of doxorubicin, infertility, secondary cancers, neuropathy.
- Pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life.
- Wrongful death and survival action damages for fatal cases.
If You or a Family Member Has DLBCL
Free, confidential case review. DLBCL with a documented Roundup or glyphosate exposure history is among the strongest case profiles in the Roundup litigation.
- Read about who qualifies: Who Qualifies for a Roundup Lawsuit.
- Read about NHL subtypes: NHL Subtypes.
- Read about B-cell lymphoma cases: B-Cell Lymphoma Lawsuit.
Free case review. No fees unless we recover compensation for you.
Sources
- International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) — Monograph 112 on glyphosate. iarc.who.int
- National Cancer Institute — Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma treatment. cancer.gov/lymphoma
- American Society of Hematology — DLBCL clinical guidelines. hematology.org
- Leukemia & Lymphoma Society — DLBCL patient information. lls.org
- Zhang L et al. — "Exposure to glyphosate-based herbicides and risk for non-Hodgkin lymphoma: A meta-analysis and supporting evidence." Mutation Research, 2019. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov