Non-Hodgkin lymphoma treatment

Treatment
The doctor develops a treatment plan to fit each patient's needs. Treatment for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma depends on the stage of the disease, the type of cells involved, whether they are indolent or aggressive, and the age and general health of the patient.

Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma is often treated by a team of specialists that may include a hematologist, medical oncologist, and/or radiation oncologist. Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma is usually treated with chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or a combination of these treatments. In some cases, bone marrow transplantation, biological therapies, or surgery may be options. For indolent lymphomas, the doctor may decide to wait until the disease causes symptoms before starting treatment. Often, this approach is called "watchful waiting."

Taking part in a clinical trial (research study) to evaluate promising new ways to treat non-Hodgkin's lymphoma is an important option for many people with this disease.

Chemotherapy and radiation therapy
Chemotherapy and radiation therapy are the most common treatments for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, although bone marrow transplantation, biological therapies, or surgery are sometimes used. CHOP, with rituximab added in certain circumstances, is the most commonly used combination of chemotherapy.

Rituximab is an antibody-based therapy. Zevalin and Bexxar are government-approved options, requiring a Nuclear Medicine facility, but only two shots 1 week apart. There is mounting evidence that more patients have long-term remission if they use radioimmunotherapy first.

Radiation therapy (also called radiotherapy) is the use of high-energy rays to kill cancer cells. Treatment with radiation may be given alone or with chemotherapy. Radiation therapy is local treatment; it affects cancer cells only in the treated area. Radiation therapy for Non Hodgkin's lymphoma comes from a machine that aims the high-energy rays at a specific area of the body. There is no radioactivity in the body when the treatment is over.

Sometimes patients are given chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy to kill undetected cancer cells that may be present in the central nervous system (CNS). In this treatment, called central nervous system prophylaxis, the doctor injects anticancer drugs directly into the cerebrospinal fluid.

Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation
Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT), or Bone marrow transplantation (BMT) may also be a treatment option, especially for patients whose non-Hodgkin's lymphoma has recurred (come back). BMT provides the patient with healthy stem cells (very immature cells, found in the marrow, that produce blood cells), the function of which is to replace white blood cells that are damaged or destroyed by treatment with very high doses of chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy. The healthy bone marrow may come from a donor, or it may be "autologous" (marrow that was removed from the patient, stored, and then given back to the person following the high-dose treatment). Autologous transplants are preferred, as the recipient is less likely to reject the cells, the origins of which were the same entity. However, in order for an autologous transplant to be performed, certain physiological conditions must be optimal within the patient. If these conditions are not present, transplanted stem cells can come from other donors. Until the transplanted bone marrow begins to produce enough white blood cells, patients have to be carefully protected from infection due to the virtual elimination of the auto-immune system resulting from the high-intensity treatment. Without the introduction of the stem cells following the high dose treatment, the patient will not survive as the body will be unable to produce infection-fighting white blood cells. Patients usually stay in the hospital for several weeks and will be monitored for transplant rejection and overall health.

Immunotherapy
Biological therapy (also called immunotherapy) is a form of treatment that uses the body's immune system, either directly or indirectly, to fight cancer or to lessen the side effects that can be caused by some cancer treatments. It uses materials made by the body or made in a laboratory to boost, direct, or restore the body's natural defenses against disease. This approach is under close investigation. Biological therapy is sometimes also called biological response modifier therapy.

Measuring response to treatment
After treatment for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, the response is classified as follows:
 * Complete Response (CR). This indicates the disappearance of all detectable disease.
 * Partial Response (PR). A reduction in the bulk of disease by at least 50%, but with some remaining disease.
 * Stable Disease. Less than a partial remission, but no progression of disease and no new sites of disease.
 * Progressive Disease. Growth in bulk of disease by >50%, or the appearance of new sites of disease.

If a complete remission is achieved, the patient is watched closely for any evidence of recurrent disease. Standard guidelines dictate that a patient be monitored for relapse every three months in the first year following a complete remission, every six months in the second year, and finally once annually in the third and later years. Diffuse large b-cell lymphoma is the most common type of lymphoma that is considered curable. Currently, if a patient maintains a complete remission for 3 years, the patient is considered cured. Generally most relapses of diffuse large b-cell lymphoma occur within the first year after a complete remission is obtained. Reoccurences after 3 years are rare but they do occur. The effect of Rituximab on relapse rates for diffuse large b-cell lymphoma is still largely unknown, though initial relapse rates since 2003 have been much lower than expected.

Patients with follicular lymphoma are generally not considered cured. Instead, they are categorized as in ongoing complete remission. Relapses occur steadily over time. Relapse rates are estimated to be 33%, 66%, and 100% for follicular lymphoma's Grades I, II, and III respectively.

Research has indicated that relapse rates can be lowered on patients with follicular lymphoma by giving supplemental radiation therapy, however, it is known that this additional therapy increases the chances of a second malignancy of unknown type later in life.

If the response to treatment falls short of a complete response, more treatment may be administered (using a differentchemotherapy regimen), or watchful waiting may be utilized, depending on the goals of treatment.

Nutrition during treatment
Eating well during cancer treatment means getting enough food energy and protein to help prevent weight loss and regain strength. Good nutrition often helps people feel better and have more energy.

Some people with cancer find it hard to eat a balanced diet because they may lose their appetite. In addition, common side effects of treatment, such as nausea, vomiting, or mouth sores, can make eating difficult. Often, foods may taste or smell different. Also, people being treated for cancer may not feel like eating when they are uncomfortable or tired.

Doctors, nurses, and dietitians can offer advice on how to get enough food energy and protein during cancer treatment. Patients and their families also may want to read the National Cancer Institute (USA) booklet Eating Hints for Cancer Patients, which contains many useful suggestions.

Followup care
People who have had non-Hodgkin's lymphoma should have regular followup examinations after their treatment is over. Followup care is an important part of the overall treatment plan, and people should not hesitate to discuss it with their health care provider. Regular followup care ensures that patients are carefully monitored, any changes in health are discussed, and new or recurrent cancer can be detected and treated as soon as possible. Between followup appointments, people who have had Non Hodgkin's lymphoma should report any health problems as soon as they appear.