Treatment FAQ

how long treatment for lymphoma

by Dr. Cindy Bartell Published 2 years ago Updated 2 years ago
image

A short course of treatment usually takes about 6 to 12 weeks. Or you might have a longer course of chemotherapy and a targeted drug, without radiotherapy. Whether you have radiotherapy depends on factors such as where the lymphoma is in the body and how fit you are.

Medication

Hodgkin’s lymphoma is treatable, especially in its early stages. The one-year survival rate for all patients diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma is about 92 percent. The five-year survival rate is about 86 percent. For people with stage 4 Hodgkin’s lymphoma, the survival rate is lower.

Procedures

Your long-term outlook for stage 4 lymphoma will vary, depending on a number of factors, including: According to the ACS, the five-year survival rate for stage 4 Hodgkin’s lymphoma is about 65 percent. The five-year survival rate for people with stage 4 NHL varies depending on the subtype of NHL and other factors.

Therapy

Stage 4 lymphoma occurs when cancer has spread to a distant part of the body outside of the lymphatic system, such as the spinal cord, lungs, or liver. Stage 4 (IV) lymphoma is often treatable. A person's prognosis depends on many factors, which include the type of lymphoma and the age of the individual.

Self-care

  • A – No symptoms have developed.
  • B – The patient is experiencing unexplained weight loss, night sweats or fever.
  • X – The tumor is in the chest region and is considered bulky (greater than 10 cm in size).
  • E – This describes an extranodal cancer that has spread to other tissues or organs.
  • S – The cancer has spread to the spleen.

Nutrition

What is the success rate of lymphoma treatment?

How long can someone live with Stage 4 lymphoma?

What is Stage 4 lymphoma?

What are the stages of lymphoma?

image

How long does lymphoma treatment usually last?

Treatment is normally given in short daily sessions, Monday to Friday, usually for no more than 3 weeks.

How long is chemo treatment for lymphoma?

Chemotherapy drugs used for Hodgkin lymphoma This chemotherapy is given every 2 weeks for 2 to 8 months, depending on the stage and response to treatment.

How many cycles of chemo do you need for lymphoma?

Treatment for many patients is chemotherapy (usually 2 to 4 cycles of the ABVD regimen), followed by radiation to the initial site of the disease (involved site radiation therapy, or ISRT). Another option is chemotherapy alone (usually for 3 to 6 cycles) in selected patients.

How long is treatment for Stage 1 lymphoma?

Treatment for stage 1 Hodgkin lymphoma is usually 2 to 4 cycles of chemotherapy.

Can you live a long life after lymphoma?

Diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is the most common type of high grade lymphoma. Generally for people with DLBCL: 60 in 100 people (60%) will survive 5 years or more after their diagnosis.

How successful is lymphoma treatment?

More than 80 percent of all patients diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma can be cured by current treatment approaches. The cure rate is higher, approaching 90 percent, in younger patients and those with early-stage favorable disease. Even if disease recurs, many patients can be cured with further treatment.

What type of lymphoma is not curable?

Lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma or Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia. It's found mainly in the bone marrow, lymph nodes, and spleen. This type of lymphoma can't be cured.

Do you lose your hair with chemo for lymphoma?

Hair loss is quite common in people who are treated with chemotherapy; overall, around 2 in 3 people experience hair loss. Chemotherapy kills lymphoma cells, but it can also destroy healthy cells, particularly those that normally divide quickly. Hair follicles produce hair.

How many rounds of chemo is normal?

During a course of treatment, you usually have around 4 to 8 cycles of treatment. A cycle is the time between one round of treatment until the start of the next. After each round of treatment you have a break, to allow your body to recover.

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%.

Is lymphoma curable if caught early?

Lymphomas are considered to be a treatable form of cancer if detected early. The overall 5-year survival rate for non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) is 62%, whereas the 5-year survival rate for Hodgkin lymphoma is 92% if detected early.

How quickly does lymphoma progress?

After five to 10 years, low-grade disorders begin to progress rapidly to become aggressive or high-grade and produce more severe symptoms. This type progresses fairly rapidly without treatment. With treatment, remission can be induced in between 50 to 75 percent of cases.

How long does it take for lymphoma to cure?

Treatment usually lasts about six months. To treat slow-growing follicular lymphoma, your doctor may start by prescribing rituximab and chemotherapy drugs.

How long is chemo treatment for lymphoma?

A typical treatment regimen involves taking tablets daily for two weeks followed by two weeks’ break, and repeating this pattern for about six months. Some people we spoke to were treated with a combination of tablet and intravenous chemotherapy.

What was your first lymphoma symptom?

The best way to find HL early is to be on the lookout for possible symptoms. The most common symptom is enlargement or swelling of one or more lymph nodes, causing a lump or bump under the skin which usually doesn’t hurt. It’s most often on the side of the neck, in the armpit, or in the groin.

How many chemo sessions are needed for lymphoma?

Treatment for many patients is chemotherapy (usually 2 to 4 cycles of the ABVD regimen ), followed by radiation to the initial site of the disease (involved site radiation therapy, or ISRT). Another option is chemotherapy alone (usually for 3 to 6 cycles) in selected patients.

How successful is chemotherapy for lymphoma?

If this happens it can still be treated successfully. Your doctor may talk to you about having more intensive chemotherapy with a stem cell transplant.

Where does lymphoma spread to first?

NHL usually starts in an area of lymph nodes. When it spreads to an organ or tissue outside of the lymph nodes, it is called extranodal spread.

How long can you live with lymphoma without knowing?

These grow so slowly that patients can live for many years mostly without symptoms, although some may experience pain from an enlarged lymph gland. After five to 10 years, low-grade disorders begin to progress rapidly to become aggressive or high-grade and produce more severe symptoms.

How long does non-Hodgkin lymphoma last?

Although “indolent” or slow growing forms of non-Hodgkin lymphoma are not currently curable, the prognosis is still very good. Patients may live for 20 years or more following an initial diagnosis. In certain patients with an indolent form of the disease, treatment may not be necessary until there are signs of progression.

What is the treatment for non-Hodgkin lymphoma?

Many people treated for non-Hodgkin lymphoma will receive some form of chemotherapy, radiation therapy, biologic therapy, immunotherapy, or a combination of these. Bone marrow, stem cell transplantation, or CAR T-cell therapy may sometimes be used.

What is car T cell therapy?

CAR T cell therapy provides engineered molecules called chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) that recognize and destroy antigens present on the surface of lymphoma cells.

What is radiation therapy?

Radiation therapy (also called radiotherapy) uses high-energy x-rays to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors. Radiation is a local therapy, which means it only affects cancer cells in the treated area. Radiation is sometimes used alone for certain localized lymphomas, either nodal or extranodal, or may be combined with chemotherapy.

What is immunotherapy treatment?

The term “immunotherapy” (also called immune-oncology) refers to treatments that interact with the immune system.

Why do we need clinical trials?

The purpose of a clinical trial is to safely monitor the effects of a drug on patients over time and to identify more effective therapies for specific diseases. By participating in a clinical trial, patients may or may not get access to the newest therapies but will receive quality care in a very carefully controlled and supportive environment.

Is lymphoma a heterogeneous disease?

Blood cancers, including lymphoma, are extremely heterogeneous, and can involve a variety of treatment options, often in combination. Some form of chemotherapy, radiation therapy, immunotherapy, or a combination is typically used to treat Hodgkin lymphoma. Bone marrow or stem cell transplantation may also sometimes be done under special ...

How to treat lymphoma after treatment?

Treatment for HL should remove all traces of the lymphoma. After treatment, the doctor will do tests such as PET/CT scans to look for any signs of HL. If HL is still there, most experts think that more of the same treatment is unlikely to cure it.

What is the treatment for HL?

For those whose HL doesn’t respond to treatment, chemo using different drugs or high-dose chemo (and possibly radiation) followed by a stem cell transplant may be recommended. Treatment with an immunotherapy drug such as brentuximab vedotin (Adcetris), nivolumab (Opdivo), or pembrolizumab (Keytruda) might be another option.

What is the best treatment for stem cell transplant?

For those who don’t respond to treatment, chemo using different drugs or high-dose chemo (and possibly radiation) followed by a stem cell transplant may be recommended. Treatment with an immunotherapy drug such as brentuximab vedotin (Adcetris), nivolumab (Opdivo), or pembrolizumab (Keytruda) might be another option.

What is the best treatment for a patient who doesn't respond to chemotherapy?

For those who don’t respond to treatment, chemo using different drugs or high-dose chemo (and possibly radiation) followed by a stem cell transplant may be recommended. Treatment with an immunotherapy drug such as brentuximab vedotin (Adcetris), nivolumab (Opdivo), or pembrolizumab (Keytruda) might be another option.

How many cycles of chemo for ABVD?

Treatment is generally more intense than that for favorable disease. It typically starts with chemotherapy (usually with the ABVD regimen for 4 to 6 cycles or other regimens such as 3 cycles of Stanford V). PET/CT scans are often done after several cycles of chemo to see if (and how much) more treatment is needed.

Why do doctors order a PET scan after chemo?

Doctors often order a PET/CT scan after a few courses of chemo to see how well the treatment is working and to determine how much more treatment (if any) is needed.

Is Hodgkin lymphoma the same as adult?

Some of these differences are discussed in Treating Hodgkin Lymphoma in Children. For teens with HL who are fully grown, the treatment is usually the same as that for an adult.

What is the best treatment for lymphoma?

Treatment for lymphoma may include radiation, chemotherapy, or a combination of both. It may also include immunotherapy or other new treatments. The treatment that is best for you will depend on many factors, such as the type of lymphoma you have and whether it has come back after previous treatment.

Why choose Memorial Sloan Kettering for lymphoma treatment?

At Memorial Sloan Kettering, we are committed to providing all our patients with access to the most effective and innovative treatments. Our lymphoma patients have excellent outcomes and receive superior care.

Why do people with lymphoma go to MSK?

Many people with lymphoma choose to be treated at MSK because of our collaborative approach to determining a treatment plan. Our specialists meet each week to consult on patient cases and agree on the best course of action. This team includes medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, radiologists, and pathologists. What makes these meetings unique is that there are world leaders with decades of experience in every discipline giving direct attention to individual patient cases.

What is Tijn's treatment for?

At age 30, Tijn was successfully treated at MSK for stage III Burkitt Lymphoma. Hear his story, and learn how he’s doing today. Treatment for lymphoma may include radiation, chemotherapy, or a combination of both. It may also include immunotherapy or other new treatments.

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 you wait to get treatment for 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.

How often should I have a checkup?

If you choose to delay treatment, your doctor will keep a close eye on you and look for changes. You'll have checkups every 3-6 months, or even more often . The major benefit of watch and wait is that you don't have to deal with treatment side effects, Tsai says.

Can you wait to see a doctor for lymphoma?

Also, if you aren't very good about visiting your doctor, watch and wait may not be a good choice. If you wait too long to set up an appointment, your lymphoma may get worse. Pagination. 1.

Is it hard to accept that you're not actively treating your cancer?

There's a risk that your cancer may change to a fast-growing type. It may also be hard to accept that you're not actively treating your cancer. Tsai says many of his patients struggle with this, but they feel better when they learn that watch and wait is an accepted strategy.

Can a doctor treat lymphoma?

Your doctor will keep a close eye on your disease, and they won't start treatment unless they see signs that your lymphoma is getting active.

Can you wait to get treatment for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma?

It's an approach called "watch and wait," and it might be a choice for you if you don't have any pain or other symptoms. Your doctor will keep a close eye on your disease, and they won't start treatment ...

Can you wait to see your doctor if you have a slow growing NHL?

Also, if you aren't very good about visiting your doctor, watch and wait may not be a good choice.

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

How is non-Hodgkin lymphoma treated?

Depending on the type and stage (extent) of the lymphoma and other factors , treatment options for people with NHL might include:

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 do we do clinical trials?

Clinical trials are carefully controlled research studies that are done to get a closer look at promising new treatments or procedures . 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 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.

What is the number to call for cancer treatment?

Call our National Cancer Information Center at 1-800-227-2345 and speak with one of our trained specialists. Palliative Care. Find Support Programs and Services in Your Area.

What to talk to your cancer care team about?

Be sure to talk to your cancer care team about any method you are thinking about using. They can help you learn what is known (or not known) about the method, which can help you make an informed decision.

What is the treatment for HL?

For years, the standard of care for treating HL was to use a combination of radiation and chemotherapy, a one-two punch that blasted cancer cells and could also have a seriously destructive impact on surrounding healthy cells.

How long does HL last?

There are very few cancers for which doctors will use the word 'cure' right off the bat, but Hodgkin lymphoma (HL), the most common cancer diagnosis among children and young adults, comes pretty darn close: Ninety percent of patients with stages 1 and 2 go on to survive 5 years or more ; even patients with stage 4 have a 65 percent survival rate.

What is the drug that is given before chemotherapy?

Along with his MD Anderson colleagues, Roth is investigating whether first giving patients a cardio-protective drug known as dexrazoxane (Zinecard, Totect) before chemotherapy can head off heart problems later. “The data is still coming in, but the early evidence is promising,” he says.

How much increased incidence of congestive heart disease in HL patients?

A report published in the June 2015 issue of JAMA found that HL patients have a four- to sixfold increased incidence of congestive heart disease or heart failure compared with the general population. ( 1)

What is car T cell therapy?

Another new treatment, known as CAR T cell therapy (CAR stands for chimeric antigen receptor), has shown promise in treating acute leukemia as well as non-Hodgkin lymphoma. “Basically, we take out a patient’s immune system, edit it so that it will target tumor cells, then put it back into the body,” says Michael Roth.

Is bleomycin safe for the lungs?

They are trying a medication known as brentuximab. ( 4) “It’s an antibody that targets a protein on the surface of tumor cells, and is safer for the lungs,” MD Anderson’s Michael Roth explains.

Do Lymphoma survivors need to monitor their health carefully in the years after treatment?

Lymphoma survivors need to monitor their health carefully in the years after treatment. Alamy

How long do people with Hodgkin's lymphoma live?

Overall, more than 91 out of every 100 people (91%) will live for at least a year after their diagnosis. About 85 out of every 100 people (85%) will live for at least 5 years. And more than 80 out of every 100 will live for at least 10 years after they are diagnosed.

How long does it take for a malignancy to grow?

Generally, before producing symptoms, a malignancy can develop and grow in the body for a periortof a few months.

Is lymphoma cancerous?

Lymphomas are cancerous in the blood forming cells and bone marrow and white blood cells. Even leukaemia can be included in this group. Even with appropriate available treatment any where in the world the five year survival rate is only 60- 80 %. Beyond that period no predictions can be done even with treatment

Can you live normal after being treated for Hodgkin's lymphoma?

We see lots of people who were cured after having been treated for Hodgkin's lymphoma, and live normal lives, some are bothered by fatigue.

Can lymphoma progress undetected?

For someone with high stamina and nonspecific symptoms, lymphoma can progress undetected to very late stage before diagnosis. I was told my high stamina allowed me to overlook any early general symptoms like fatigue or weight loss. (After all, it feels like all my friends are constantly tired

image

Diagnosis

Treatment

Clinical Trials

Coping and Support

Medically reviewed by
Dr. Rakshith Bharadwaj
Your provider will work with you to develop a care plan that may include one or more of these treatment options.
Treatments include medications, radiation therapy, and bone marrow transplant.
Medication

Chemotherapy: Drugs to kill cancer cells, either as pill or injected directly into the bloodstream through the veins (intravenous).

Methotrexate


Targeted drug therapy: Drugs that target a particular substance on the cancer cells are used to destroy them.

Bortezomib


Immunotherapy: Work by targeting various proteins on tumor cells.

Nivolumab

Procedures

Bone marrow transplantation: Also known as stem cell transplant, the therapy involves introducing healthy bone marrow stem cells from a donor.

Therapy

Radiation therapy:Uses powerful rays to kill cancer cells.

Self-care

Always talk to your provider before starting anything.

  • Get adequate rest
  • Eat a healthy and nutritious diet

Nutrition

Foods to eat:

  • NA

Foods to avoid:

  • NA

Specialist to consult

Oncologist
Specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer.
Hematologist
Specializes in the study of the blood and blood disorders.

Preparing For Your Appointment

Image
Tests and procedures used to diagnose lymphoma include: 1. Physical exam.Your doctor checks for swollen lymph nodes, including in your neck, underarm and groin, as well as a swollen spleen or liver. 2. Removing a lymph node for testing.Your doctor may recommend a lymph node biopsy procedure to remove all or part of a …
See more on mayoclinic.org

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9