Lymphoma

Treatment Options

Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma₁

There are more than 30 subtypes of lymphoma, consisting of five types of Hodgkin’s Lymphoma (also known as Hodgkin’s Disease) and over 25 types of Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma (NHL). Lymphoma is the most common blood cancer and the third most common cancer of childhood.

NHL is the most common cancer of the lymphatic system. . . . NHL is not a single disease, but rather a group of several closely related cancers that affect the lymphatic system, which is part of the immune system.

NHL is broadly divided into two major groups: B-cell lymphoma (which develops from abnormal B-lymphocytes, which is most common), and T-cell lymphomas (which develop from abnormal T lymphocytes).

While many effective treatment options exist, low grades of NHL usually recur, and some people go in and out of remission for years.  In certain patients with indolent disease, treatment may not be necessary until there are signs of progression, and response to treatment can change over time.  Treatment that worked initially may be ineffective the next time, making it necessary to always keep abreast of the latest information on new or experimental treatment options.

However, 30%-60% of patients with aggressive NHL can be cured. Although the indolent forms of NHL are not currently curable, the prognosis is still very good, and patients may live for 20 years or more. Many people treated for NHL will receive some form of chemotherapy, radiation therapy, biologic therapy, or a combination of these. Bone marrow or stem cell transplantation may sometimes be used. Surgery may be used under special circumstances, but primarily to obtain a biopsy for diagnostic purposes.

 

Hodgkin’s Lymphoma₂

Hodgkin’s Lymphoma (HL), also known as Hodgkin’s Disease, is a less common form of lymphoma.  Researchers know it is a cancer which arises from an abnormal lymphocyte (white blood cell). The overall five-year survival rate is 85%. Of the nearly 500,000 Americans with lymphoma, over 142,000 have Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. In 2006, it was expected that approximately 7,800 new cases of HL would be diagnosed and 1,490 Americans would die from the disease. HL occurs mainly in young adults, with a peak occurrence between ages 16 and 34. Older patients, especially those over age 55, may also develop HL.

The diagnosis of HL depends on having abnormal blood cells called Reed-Sternberg cells. HL has been studied more than any other type of lymphoma. With the many rapid advances in diagnosis and treatment, over 80% of patients with HL can be cured.

Most patients live long and healthy lives following successful treatment for Hodgkin’s Lymphoma.  Many people treated will receive some form of chemotherapy, radiation therapy or a combination of the two.  Bone marrow or stem cell transplantation may sometimes be used under special circumstances.

 

References

1. http://www.lymphoma.org/site/pp.asp?c=chKOI6PEImE&b=1573333

2. http://www.lymphoma.org/site/pp.asp?c=chKOI6PEImE&b=1574105

 

Online Resources

Lymphoma

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) is the world's largest voluntary health organization dedicated to funding blood cancer research, education and patient services. The Society's mission is to cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin's Lymphoma and myeloma, and improve the quality of life of patients and their families.

Lymphoma Research Foundation: The Lymphoma Research Foundation (LRF) is the nation's largest lymphoma-focused voluntary health organization devoted exclusively to funding lymphoma research and providing patients and health care professionals with critical information on the disease.  On its web site you will find valuable information about the different types of lymphoma, diagnostic techniques your health care practitioners may use, and treatment options. Here you can also learn about the latest research findings and get help searching for clinical trials that relate to your condition.

Lymphoma Information Network:  This site strives to do three things: put a bit of humanity and understanding to this disease, to gather lymphoma information and resources in one place, and to present information in an easy to understand and logical format.

 

Bone Marrow & Stem Cell Transplantation

Bone & Marrow Transplant Information Network (BMT InfoNet)

National Bone Marrow Transplant Link

National Marrow Donor Program

 

Support Forums/Groups

WebMagic Forums: Hodgkin’s and Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society BBS

BMT-TALK: Bone Marrow Transplant Online Communication Forum

BMT Support

 

Lymphoma mAss Kickers

Chemopalooza – A fantastic blogger, this young woman offers a light-hearted but thoughtful and candid take on the ups and downs of Hodgkin’s Lymphoma.

Adrienne’s Updates – Diagnosed originally at age 9, this amazingly resilient young woman has persevered through several relapses while going on to college where she has performed magnificently.

Hodgkin’s Lymphoma Awareness -  After receiving an allogeneic stem cell transplant for relapsed Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, Jennifer has been struggling with a severe case of Graft Versus Host Disease (GVHD) but despite the difficulty of her situation, she impresses all with her candor, wit, and contagious optimism.

Rogier’s Road to Recovery -  A Hodgkin’s Lymphoma survivor and participant in the 2007 NYC Marathon, this remarkable individual blogs about his recovery and travels.

Bit of a Bummer… - A refreshing and candid blog by a 32 year old in Scotland, who received an autologous stem cell transplant for relapsed Hodgkin’s Lymphoma.

True Beauty Never Hurries – With both eloquence and grace, this remarkable young woman chronicles her experiences with relapsed Hodgkin’s Lymphoma.

My Life During and After Hodgkin’s Lymphoma – A thoughtful and insightful blog by a survivor of Hodgkin’s Lymphoma who is in remission and looks towards a cancer-free future with her family.

My Chemical Romance – This 23 year old renaissance man blogs wonderfully about his second “love affair” with Hodgkin's Lymphoma.

A Pastor’s Cancer Diary – A survivor of B-cell Non-Hodgkin’s, diffuse mixed large, small cell and follicular lymphoma, this pastor offers great intellectual depth and spiritual insight about his experience with cancer.

Heather Young - A proud mother of two, this young woman was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma at age 32.

The Lymphoma Files - The author of three published books, this accomplished writer is a survivor of follicular lymphoma.

My Journey Back to Health – A fantastic blogger who describes her “side trip” through treatment for Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma and her return to health.

VA Fights Back – This courageous 28 year old blogs about her fight against large B-cell lymphoma.

Kyler Kelly - Diagnosed at age 25, this Staff Sergeant in the U.S. Army shares his brave experience with Burkitt’s Lymphoma.

Cancer Blog Hodgekin's Lymphoma - Blogs by Hodgekin's Lymphoma patients

Cancer Blog Non Hodgekin's Lymphoma - Blogs by Non Hodgekin's Lymphoma patients

 

 

Featured Lymphoma mAss Kicker Interviews

Jack Boufard: Danbury, CT

Jaime Reno: San Diego, CA

Christine Pechera:  Los Angeles, CA

Duane Baily-Castro: New York, NY

 

Featured mAss Kicking Leukemia Organizations

Asian American Donor Program:  based in Alameda, CA, USA

 

Medical Disclaimer
This website is designed to provide additional information to patients and their loved ones when faced with intimidating diagnoses. A physician or medical professional should be consulted before making any health related decisions. We serve as a portal for information so that an informed and efficient decision can be concluded by all parties involved.  The creators of this site are not responsible or liable, directly or indirectly, for any form of damages whatsoever resulting from the use (or misuse) of information contained in or implied by the content of this website. The purpose of the mAss Kickers is to empower people with knowledge, not to specifically advise people how to address each unique situation.