Non-Hodgkin Lymphomas Treatment

Recommended For Non-Hodgkin Lymphomas Treatment

Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma treatment candidates are all people who show signs of suffering from this disease and underwent examination by oncologist which reaffirmed the diagnosis. Most common non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma symptoms include:

• Swollen lymph nodes

• Fever

• Weight loss

• Night sweats

Not Recommended For Non-Hodgkin Lymphomas Treatment

If you are experiencing non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma symptoms, your doctor has made a diagnosis, and you are in the state which allows you to undergo chemo- or radiotherapy, then you should take non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma treatment under consideration.

Discharge From Hospital

Depends on the type of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma treatment

Overview

What is non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (known also as NHL)? It is a cancer attacking lymphatic system. There are several non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma types and they may have various reasons, starting from genetic and autoimmunological diseases, finishing with viruses such as HIV or Epstein-Barr virus. The most basic categorization of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma includes B-cell and T-cell lymphomas, depending on the type of lymphatic cells attacked first.

The main difference between Hodgkin’s and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma is the presence of Reed-Sternberg cells – in the case of Hodgkin’s lymphoma, these are observable under the microscope while in the latter these do not occur.

Preparation

Two most popular non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma treatments include chemo- and radiotherapy. In many cases, these two treatments are combined in order to achieve better results. There is no special preparation needed for chemotherapy apart from undergoing (if necessary) some other medical treatments before chemotherapy begins – for example visiting the dentist won’t be possible for some time after this treatment. Similarly, there is no specific preparation for radiotherapy. As for other non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma treatments, if they will be proposed, you should ask your oncologist about the best way to prepare for them.

How It Is Performed

There are several types of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma treatments, including:

• Radiotherapy treatment

• Chemotherapy treatment

• Immunotherapy treatment

• Targeted therapy

• Plasmapheresis treatment

• Antibiotic therapy

• Surgery for non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma

• Stem cell transplant treatment

• Vaccine therapy – currently in clinical trials

Therefore, there is not one non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma procedure. In the case of chemotherapy, the chemicals used to destroy cancer cells are injected into patients body and after short observation, the patient is free to go home. If radiotherapy is used as a non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma treatment, it may be performed in the form of external radiation therapy or internal radiation therapy – radiation may be emitted by machine or by radioactive elements injected into patient’s body.

Recovery

Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma treatment recovery depends on the type of treatment used. In the case of radiation therapy recovery, most of its side effects fade and disappear during first days and weeks after the non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma treatment. Still, hair loss and tiredness may continue for some months. As for chemotherapy, its effects also take a long time to pass, sometimes even years. However, we shouldn’t forget that non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma is a life-threatening disease and therefore – potential lymphoma recovery period shouldn’t be thought as a counterargument against beginning the treatment.

Risks

Both chemotherapy and radiation treatment are radical methods of cancer treatments. Therefore, using the for non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma treatment carries certain risks and may cause serious complications. It is so because both of these methods damage not only cancer but also normal cells. Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma treatment risks may include lung scarring and increased risk of immunity-related diseases.

Side Effects

To non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma treatment side effects belong:

• Tiredness

• Mouth and throat dryness

• Nausea

• Neurological problems

Success Rates

With new methods of treating different non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma types, the success rate of this treatment increases. Currently, it is estimated that 5-year success rate for patients who suffered from non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma is as high as 67%, while 10-year success rate is slightly lower, and amounts to 55%.

Before And After

Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma is a life-threatening disease. Even if there are some risks and side effects of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma treatment, these are acceptable if chemotherapy, radiation therapy or another type of medical procedure will be successful in fighting with this dangerous disease.

Faq

What Is a Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma?

Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma is a type of cancer attacking lymphatic system. In it, T and b-cells are mutating in an abnormal way and start causing a threat to your body.

What Are the Most Popular Methods of Treating the Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma?

To most popular methods of fighting the non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma belong chemotherapy and radiation therapy (both external and internal radiation therapy). However, throughout the years a range of other treatments as well as supporting treatments was developed, including immunotherapy and antibiotic therapy.

Is It a Good Idea to Undergo Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma Treatment Abroad?

Assuming that you do not have a health insurance or it does not cover new non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma methods, it is definitely reasonable to search for treatment abroad. In this way, you can benefit from the difference in pricing (countries like Turkey and other popular health tourism destinations have much lower costs of medical treatments) while not resigning from high quality.