diagnosed nhl why wait to start treatment

If your NHL is slow-growing and you feel good, you can wait, Tsai says. But if you have symptoms -- like pain, fever, weight loss, or appetite loss -- it's better to act than delay. Also, if you aren't very good about visiting your doctor, watch and wait may not be a good choice.

Full Answer

Is'watch and wait'the best treatment for NHL?

"Watch and wait can also be the best approach for some patients diagnosed with widespread NHL that treatment won't likely cure," Abetti says. Even if it's widespread, it may remain stable for years. "Watch and wait doesn't mean being passive," Tsai says.

What are the treatment approaches for NHL?

Treatment approaches for NHL depend on the type of cancer, how advanced it is, as well as your health and other factors. Another important part of treatment for many people is palliative or supportive care.

How long can you put off getting treatment for NHL?

It's part of the national guidelines for treating some types of NHL. "About half of all patients can put off treatment for at least 3 years," Abetti says. "Some patients can be in watch-and-wait mode for 10 years or more." It's possible you'll never need treatment.

When should I start treatment for non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL)?

If you have low-grade non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL), your doctor may suggest you do not need to start treatment straight away. Instead, you have regular tests and appointments to monitor the lymphoma and check for signs that you need to start treatment. This is called watch and wait. It may also be called active surveillance or active monitoring.

Can you have lymphoma and not need treatment?

Sometimes, lymphoma doesn't need treatment straightaway. Instead, you have regular check-ups with your medical team to monitor your health and to see how the lymphoma is affecting you. You don't start treatment unless the lymphoma begins to cause significant health problems.

What happens if you don't treat non-Hodgkin's lymphoma?

If left untreated, the disease will lead to death. If you decline life-saving treatment, you can choose to get support from palliative care (a medical team that manages your symptoms and pain).

Which lymphomas may not require immediate treatment?

A slow-growing lymphoma (such as follicular lymphoma) may not require immediate treatment.

How long can you have lymphoma without treatment?

"About half of all patients can put off treatment for at least 3 years," Abetti says. "Some patients can be in watch-and-wait mode for 10 years or more." It's possible you'll never need treatment.

What is watchful waiting for lymphoma?

If you are diagnosed with low-grade non-Hodgkin lymphoma, you may not have treatment straightaway. Instead you may have regular check-ups to monitor the cancer. This approach is called watchful waiting (or watch and wait).

Can lymphoma go into remission without treatment?

How long does remission last? Hodgkin lymphoma and high-grade non-Hodgkin lymphoma often goes into complete remission and needs no further treatment. However, some people relapse and need more treatment.

Does lymphoma progress quickly?

Burkitt's lymphoma This lymphoma is very rapidly growing, and lymph nodes double in size within a few days to a few weeks. While it is rapidly growing, it is curable in many patients when diagnosed early.

Does lymphoma spread quickly?

Non-Hodgkin lymphoma grows and spreads at different rates and can be indolent or aggressive. Indolent lymphoma tends to grow and spread slowly, and has few signs and symptoms. Aggressive lymphoma grows and spreads quickly, and has signs and symptoms that can be severe.

Which is worse non-Hodgkin's lymphoma or Hodgkin's lymphoma?

The prognosis of Hodgkin's lymphoma is also better than that of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma since non-Hodgkin's lymphoma is often diagnosed at a more advanced stage. Both forms of blood cancer are treatable when caught early, however.

Is NHL lymphoma curable?

Yes, NHL is a very treatable disease and curable in many cases, particularly with aggressive NHL. Before treatment begins, it is necessary to know how far the cancer has advanced. This is called the stage of the disease. The stages begin with I (least severe) and go through IV (most severe).

Can low grade NHL be cured?

Low-grade lymphomas generally respond well to treatment but they are hard to get rid of completely. They are usually treated with the aim of controlling the lymphoma rather than curing it. Low-grade non-Hodgkin lymphomas can often be controlled for many years.

Can you live 20 years with lymphoma?

Most people with indolent non-Hodgkin lymphoma will live 20 years after diagnosis. Faster-growing cancers (aggressive lymphomas) have a worse prognosis. They fall into the overall five-year survival rate of 60%.

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Can I Lower My Risk of The Lymphoma Progressing Or Coming back?

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If The Lymphoma Comes Back

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Could I Get A Second Cancer After Treatment?

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Getting Emotional Support

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Why are clinical trials important?

Clinical trials are one way to get state-of-the art cancer treatment. In some cases they may be the only way to get access to newer treatments. They are also the best way for doctors to learn better methods to treat cancer. Still, they're not right for everyone.

What is the best treatment for lymphoma?

Depending on the type and stage (extent) of the lymphoma and other factors, treatment options for people with NHL might include: 1 Chemotherapy for Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma 2 Immunotherapy for Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma 3 Targeted Therapy Drugs for Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma 4 Radiation Therapy for Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma 5 High-Dose Chemotherapy and Stem Cell Transplant for Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma 6 Surgery for Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma

What kind of doctor treats lymphoma?

Based on your treatment options, you may have different types of doctors on your treatment team. These doctors could include: A medical oncologist or hematologist: a doctor who treats lymphoma with chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and targeted therapy. A radiation oncologist: a doctor who treats cancer with radiation therapy.

Why is communicating with your cancer team important?

Communicating with your cancer care team is important so you understand your diagnosis, what treatment is recommended, and ways to maintain or improve your quality of life. Different types of programs and support services may be helpful, and can be an important part of your care. These might include nursing or social work services, financial aid, ...

What do people with cancer need?

People with cancer need support and information, no matter what stage of illness they may be in. Knowing all of your options and finding the resources you need will help you make informed decisions about your care.

Can you continue cancer treatment?

Whether or not you continue treatment, there are still things you can do to help maintain or improve your quality of life.

Is treatment information given here official policy of the American Cancer Society?

The treatment information given here is not official policy of the American Cancer Society and is not intended as medical advice to replace the expertise and judgment of your cancer care team. It is intended to help you and your family make informed decisions, together with your doctor.

Why do you need a CT scan for lymphoma?

You may need frequent blood tests to check that you have recovered from treatment and to look for possible signs of problems such as lymphoma recurrence. Blood counts can also sometimes become abnormal because ...

Why is my blood count abnormal?

Blood counts can also sometimes become abnormal because of a disease of the bone marrow called myelodysplasia, which can sometimes lead to leukemia. Some chemotherapy drugs can cause this disease. For more on this, see Myelodysplastic Syndromes.

How to plan for cancer survivorship?

Talk with your doctor about developing a survivorship care plan for you. This plan might include: 1 A suggested schedule for follow-up exams and tests 2 A schedule for other tests you might need in the future, such as early detection (screening) tests for other types of cancer, or tests to look for long-term health effects from your cancer or its treatment 3 A list of possible late- or long-term side effects from your treatment, including what to watch for and when you should contact your doctor 4 Diet and physical activity suggestions

Can non-Hodgkin lymphoma patients get other cancers?

People who’ve had non-Hodgkin lymphoma can still get other cancers. In fact, lymphoma survivors are at higher risk for getting some other types of cancer. Learn more in Second Cancers After Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma.

Does lymphoma go away?

For some people, the lymphoma may never go away completely. These people may get regular treatments with chemo, radiation, or other therapies to help keep the lymphoma in check for as long as possible and to help relieve symptoms. Learning to live with lymphoma that doesn’t go away can be difficult and very stressful.

Is it normal to feel anxious when you have lymphoma?

Some amount of feeling depressed, anxious, or worried is normal when lymphoma is a part of your life. Some people are affected more than others. But everyone can benefit from help and support from other people, whether friends and family, religious groups, support groups, professional counselors, or others.

Can dietary supplements help with lymphoma?

About dietary supplements. So far, no dietary supplements (including vitamins, minerals, and herbal products) have been shown to clearly help lower the risk of lymphoma progressing or coming back. This doesn’t mean that no supplements will help, but it’s important to know that none have been proven to do so.

What is the WBC of a CLL patient?

Nine months after diagnosis, a fellow patient with CLL tells you that his WBC (white blood cell count) is 49,000 with an ALC (absolute lymphocyte count) of 42,000. He has clusters of 2 x 1 cm nodes in both axillae (armpits). Labs are otherwise OK. He feels well, just a bit tired and stressed. He asks what symptoms or lab results might indicate it is time to treat. You tell him:

What is CLL in hematology?

Hematology in general and CLL specifically are full of jargon and acronyms that can be both overwhelming and daunting . With time and experience, you’ll become familiar with the terminology and acronyms. We will try to explain each medical term the first time it appears in an article, but we will use the true terminology so that you gain comfort and familiarity with the medical terms that you will see in your lab reports and in medical articles. We have also provided a glossary and a list of abbreviations and acronyms for your reference.

How long can you sweat without infection?

Fevers >38°C for at least 2 weeks without evidence of infection. Drenching night sweats for more than a month without evidence of infection.

Is Watch and Wait better than Chlorambucil?

In fact this famous study published in 1998 compared “Watch And Wait” to early intervention with chlorambucil, an oral chemotherapy and at that time the standard of care, and found that the group on chlorambucil fared slightly worse. Admittedly, we have much better treatments today.

Who Can do Watchful Waiting?

Watch and wait might be an option if you have one of these slow-growing types of B-cell lymphoma:

What Happens During Watchful Waiting?

You'll have checkups every 3 to 6 months with the medical team that treats your cancer. During these visits, your doctor will:

Pros

If you decide to do watchful waiting you can avoid -- or at least delay -- the side effects of treatment. Chemotherapy, for instance, can cause temporary hair loss, nausea, and mouth sores. Radiation may bring on fatigue and skin blisters.

How long can indolent lymphoma stay stable?

Indolent lymphomas can remain stable for long periods of time, and sometimes regress spontaneously . It has been reported that some patients never require therapy. Treating at diagnosis could result in treating sooner than necessary, sometimes by many years.

What does "watch and wait" mean?

The adage of "watch and wait" has been taken to the extreme to imply a benefit of deferring on therapy for as long as possible . What it actually is meant to indicate is that it is important to wait until you identify who are the progressors from those who are not.

How long does a deferred patient last?

For all 44 "deferred" patients, the median time before requiring treatment was 31 months, and there have been 19 patients who have not yet required therapy for periods of 3 to 104 months. The median actuarial survival for all 44 patients was 121 months.

Can lymphoma cause fatigue?

When you have an indolent (slow growing) lymphoma that is not causing symptoms (such as fatigue) or is not putting you in danger, your doctor might recommend watchful waiting, even when the disease is at an advanced stage.

Is Indolent lymphoma curable?

Indolent lymphomas are often responsive (sensitiv e) to standard treatments, but at this time they are not considered reliably curable * with aggressiv e approaches. So this is another reason to monitor the disease and to treat only when the condition causes symptoms or progresses to a degree that increases risk.

Can cancer patients wait to start treatment?

These findings reveal that patients with newly diagnosed cancer are having to wait longer to begin treatment, a delay that is associated with a substantially increased risk of death. The researchers used prospective data from the National Cancer Database and examined the number of days between diagnosis and the first treatment for persons ...

Do patients with cancer wait longer to get treatment?

Patients with newly diagnosed cancer are having to wait longer to begin treatment, study data indicates. Greater efforts are needed to prevent treatment delays for patients with cancer, according to research presented at the 2017 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual meeting.

What does "watch and wait" mean for non-Hodgkin lymphoma?

Watch and wait for Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma (NHL) Watch and wait means delaying treatment until it is needed. For some people with non-Hodgkin lymphoma, this is an option.

What is it called when you wait to see if you have lymphoma?

This is called watch and wait. It may also be called active surveillance or active monitoring. It is a way of delaying treatment until it is needed. Your doctor may suggest watch and wait if: low-grade lymphoma has come back after treatment but is not causing problems.

Why is it important to watch and wait?

Advantages of watch and wait. Studies have shown that people who delay treatment until it is needed often live as long as people who start treatment straight away. They also respond just as well to treatment. You will avoid the risk of treatment side effects, for as long as possible.

Do you need to start lymphoma treatment right away?

Your doctor may suggest that you do not need to start treatment straight away. Instead you have regular tests and appointments to monitor the lymphoma and check for signs that you need to start treatment. This is called watch and wait. It is a way of delaying treatment until it is needed.

Can you have a period with low grade lymphoma?

Effective treatments can be kept in reserve for you until they are needed. Low-grade lymphoma can go through periods when it is more active and others when it is stable or even shrinks.

Can you see a specialist for lymphoma?

Even when you are not having any treatment for lymphoma, you will still see your cancer specialist regularly. At each appointment, they will check you for signs that you may need to start treatment. These signs might include:

Does low grade lymphoma come back?

low-grade lymphoma has come back after treatment but is not causing problems. Low-grade lymphoma often develops slowly and you may not need treatment for a long time. Sometimes people worry about not having treatment straight away immediately. But there can be advantages to delaying treatment.