How long is the treatment for non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma?

Non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) is the cancer of the lymphatic system. The entire lymph system helps in combating with diseases and fighting with infections. It helps in keeping the fluids moving within the body. The origin of NHL can be anywhere amongst the lymph tissue including tonsils, lymph nodes, and even inside certain bones and organs.

Chemotherapy is an effective way of treatment of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma by using certain anti-cancer drugs via the intravenous or oral route. These drugs reach the bloodstream and effectively combats with the lymphoma condition and help in treating it. Depending upon the stage and advancement of NHL, treatment of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma is done either by chemo alone or in combination with another line of treatments like radiation therapy and immunotherapy.

What is adjuvant chemotherapy in the treatment of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma?

Adjuvant chemotherapy is a kind of therapy which is given post-surgical removal of lymphoma during treatment of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, to prevent reoccurrence and better recovery. Surgery can ideally remove all the visible cancers however, it might still persist so treatment of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma can last for 4-6 months. This therapy is a major part of treatment in breast and colon cancers. In certain NHL cases, the chemotherapy treatment might even last for a year or more, depending upon the patient need.

What role does palliative or supportive care play in the treatment of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma?

Another important aspect of NHL treatment includes palliative or supportive care. This helps in preventing as well as treating infections during therapy. It even helps in minimizing or combating with lymphoma symptoms.

It is important to discuss all treatment options before starting treatment of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma with your doctor including its possible side effects or long term after effects as well. Always consider sharing your entire past medical history to avoid any sudden complications during or post NHL treatment.

There is no harm in taking second opinions during treatment of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma but it is important to pick the best of the available services and doctors. 

A team of doctors might include:

• A hematologist or medical oncologist who treats lymphoma with immunotherapy or chemotherapy or other suitable or combination treatment.
• A radiation oncologist treats lymphoma with radiation therapy.
• A bone marrow transplant doctor is specialist in treating all sorts of cancers or diseases related to stem cell or bone marrow, etc.

All sorts of lymphomas take the different span of treatment as per their staging and at times slow-growing lymphoma needs a watchful waiting before a certain treatment can be started and hence waiting period might also add up to the treatment time and proper recovery from it.

Also Read: What is the best treatment of Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma?

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Related FAQs:

Q: Is there any completely curing treatment of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma?

A: This disease is one of the treatable forms of cancer. A less prolonged disease has relatively more survival rates like a 5-year-old NHL has a survival rate of 69 percent and a 10-year-old disease has only 59 percent. With current advancement in the medical field has further increased the survival rates to 80-85 percent.

Q: Which tests are used for diagnosis of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma?

A: Before treatment of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma tests like biopsy, blood tests, chest X-ray, CT scan, MRI scan, ultrasound, PET scan are done mainly for diagnosis so that root cause can be identified and accordingly treatment of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma can be decided.

Q: How is the seriousness of non-Hodgkin lymphoma quantified?

A: NHL has different stages from 1 to 4 and different treatment of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma are available as per that. Lower the number and lesser it has spread outside the lymphatic system and finally lesser serious the condition becomes.