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Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma

• Overview
• Symptoms
• Treatment

Alternative Names:

Lymphoma - non-Hodgkin's; Lymphocytic lymphoma; Histiocytic lymphoma; Lymphoblastic lymphoma; Cancer - non-Hodgkin's lymphoma

Treatment:

Treatment depends on how quickly the cancer spreads, the stage of the cancer when you are first diagnosed, and symptoms.

Chemotherapy is commonly used. A drug called rituximab (Rituxan) is often used to treat non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Rituxan is a form of immunotherapy.

Radioimmunotherapy may be used in some cases. This involves linking a radioactive substance with an antibody that helps the immune system fight infection, and injecting the substance into the body.

In select cases, a stem cell transplant may be needed.

Support Groups:

The stress of illness may be eased by joining a support group whose members share common experiences and problems. See cancer - support group .

Expectations (prognosis):

Low-grade non-Hodgkin's lymphoma can not be cured with chemotherapy. However, the low-grade form of this cancer progresses slowly, and it may take more than 10 years before the disease gets worse.

Chemotherapy can help cure high-grade lymphoma. However, if the cancer does not respond to chemotherapy drugs, the disease can cause rapid death.

Complications:

• Infection
• Autoimmune hemolytic anemia

Calling your health care provider:

Call your health care provider if symptoms of this disorder develop.

If you have non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, call your health care provider if you experience persistent fever or other signs of infection.

References:

American Cancer Society. Cancer Facts and Figures 2006. Atlanta, GA: American Cancer Society; 2006.

Abeloff MD, Armitage JO, Niederhuber JE, Kastan MB, McKena WG. Clinical Oncology . 3rd ed. Orlando, Fl: Churchill Livingstone; 2004: 2985-3014.

• Review Date: 9/11/2006
• Reviewed By: Corey Cutler, MD, MPH, FRCP(C), Assistant Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School; Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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