Medication
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.
Procedures
But for treating lymphoma that’s completely confined to one area, radiation therapy is usually preferred over surgery. For more information about treating cancer with surgery, see Cancer Surgery.
Therapy
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. It's natural to wonder if it's safe to have cancer but not take action. But experts say it often makes sense. "With non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, some types may not affect a patient's life for years.
Self-care
If you can't afford treatment, here's an action plan. Seek assistance from a social worker or patient navigator at your hospital when gathering donations. Cancer doesn't discriminate, as the saying goes.
Nutrition
What are the treatments for lymphoma that doesn’t go away?
Should I have surgery or radiation therapy for lymphoma?
Is it safe to have lymphoma but not take action?
What should I do if I can't afford treatment?
Can you get cancer treatment if you have no money?
Look for grants. They're out there. Cancer.net has a financial assistance page that will lead people to grants. CancerCare also offers financial assistance, and managecancer.org has links to resources that offer financial help.
What financial resources are available for cancer patients?
Government AssistanceU.S. Department of Health & Human Services. Information on public assistance and food stamps.U.S. Administration on Aging. ... Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. ... Social Security Administration. ... Needy Meds. ... CancerCare® Co-Payment Assistance Foundation. ... Good Days. ... HealthWell Foundation.More items...•
How can I pay my bills if I have cancer?
If you're having problems with other bills too, get helpNational Association of Insurance Commissioners. Toll-free Number: 1-866-470-6242. ... Patient Advocate Foundation (PAF) Toll-free number: 1- 800-532-5274. ... Cancer Legal Resource Center (CLRC) ... Financial Planning Association. ... Internal Revenue Service.
Does MD Anderson have financial assistance?
A financial assistance program provides coverage for MD Anderson care to cancer patients who meet residency and financial eligibility requirements. Additionally, the institution participates in the Texas Medicaid Program that provides state and federal support for certain low-income people.
Do cancer patients qualify for disability?
In general, any cancer that is Stage IV or terminal will automatically qualify a person to receive disability benefits. A very serious cancer diagnosis qualifies for the Compassionate Allowance program, which expedites the claim for disability benefits to start receiving money quickly.
Can you get medical aid if you have cancer?
If a cancer is considered a PMB condition, a medical aid scheme is legally obliged to continue paying for treatment at cost, even if the oncology benefit limit has been reached. This includes covering the costs of consultations, surgery, specialised radiology, blood tests and chemo and radiation therapy.
What to do if you have cancer and can't work?
If you can't work due to a cancer diagnosis, you may be eligible for financial support from two Social Security programs. Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) provide financial support to people with disabilities unable to work.
How much does cancer treatment cost out of pocket?
Some cancer patients may face out-of-pocket costs of nearly $12,000 a year for one drug. In 2014, cancer patients paid $4 billion out-of-pocket for cancer treatment. Newly approved cancer drugs cost an average of $10,000 per month, with some as high as $30,000 per month. Just over a decade ago, the average was $4,500.
Do cancer patients have to pay for chemo?
The cost of chemotherapy varies greatly. A major factor is health insurance. Generally, if you have health insurance, you can expect to pay 10 to 15 percent of chemo costs out of pocket, according to CostHelper.com. If you don't have health insurance, you might pay between $10,000 to $200,000 or more.
How much is a consultation at MD Anderson?
The minimum charge for a consultation and report on referred slides prepared elsewhere is $272. Any additional testing that is necessary to render a diagnosis will be charged in addition to this fee.
Do you have to be referred to MD Anderson?
Referrals are not needed from your physician to request an appointment. MD Anderson accepts referrals from both patients and referring physicians.
Does MD Anderson have housing?
Matthew's Miracle House provides reduced-cost housing to patients undergoing treatment and their family members. About half the patients are children treated at MD Anderson Children's Cancer Hospital.
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.
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.
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 apply for financial assistance for cancer?
live in the U.S. or Puerto Rico. meet our eligibility guidelines of 250% of the Federal Poverty Limit. The first step to applying for financial assistance is calling 800-813-HOPE (4673) and speaking with a Cancer Care social worker to complete a brief interview.
What are some organizations that provide transportation resources for individuals affected by cancer?
Here are other organizations that provide transportation resources for individuals affected by cancer. Air Charity Network. 877‑621‑7177, aircharitynetwork.org. Air Charity Network serves all 50 states and provides free flights to people in need of medical treatment. American Cancer Society’s Road to Recovery Program.
What is cancer care?
Cancer Care provides limited financial assistance for treatment-related transportation to people affected by cancer. As a nonprofit organization, funding depends on the sources of support we receive at any given time.
What is SAMFund for cancer?
The SAMFund provides support to young adults who are struggling financially due to cancer. Twice a year, the organization provides grants to survivors aged 21-39 to help with transportation-related expenses, among other financial expenses. The financial costs associated with cancer are often overwhelming.
How to contact cancer social workers?
To learn more, visit www.cancercare.org or call 800-813-HOPE (4673). View all of Cancer Care ’s resources to help you better cope with transportation concerns ».
Lymphoma - Non-Hodgkin: Questions to Ask the Health Care Team
ON THIS PAGE: You will find some questions to ask your doctor or other members of the health care team, to help you better understand your diagnosis, treatment plan, and overall care. Use the menu to see other pages.
Questions to ask about planning follow-up care
What is the chance that the cancer will come back? Should I watch for specific signs or symptoms?
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 ...
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.
Do you need to keep medical records after cancer treatment?
Keeping health insurance and copies of your medical records. Even after treatment, it’s very important to keep health insurance. Tests and doctor visits cost a lot, and even though no one wants to think of their cancer coming back, this could happen.
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 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.
Diagnosis
Treatment
Clinical Trials
Coping and Support
Specialist to consult
Preparing For Your Appointment
