Treatments

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There are two types of lymphoma: Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

These types of cancer fall under the category of blood cancers. Non-Hodgkin lymphoma is one of the most common types of cancer, accounting for about 4% of all cancers. The average risk of a person developing non-Hodgkin lymphoma is 1 in 50.

Survival rates vary widely on the type and stage of the lymphoma. The five-year survival rate for non-Hodgkin is approximately 65%, and 85% for Hodgkin disease.

Signs and Symptoms
Lymphoma may not present with any symptoms until it grows quite large. Among the symptoms that may appear are:

  • Lymph nodes near the skin
  • Swollen or tender abdomen
  • Coughing or difficulty breathing
  • Headaches
  • Weakness
  • Lumps or nodules under the skin
  • Unexplained weight loss
  • Fever
  • Night sweats

How is it diagnosed?
Because many of the symptoms associated with lymphoma can often be attributed to other causes, such as infection, it may take longer to diagnose lymphoma. When a physician suspects lymphoma, he or she may prescribe such tests as:

  • Biopsies
  • Lumbar punctures
  • Blood tests
  • Imaging tests, such as chest x-ray, CT scan, MRI, ultrasound or bone scans

How is it treated?
Depending on the type and stage of lymphoma, treatment may include:

  • Chemotherapy
  • Immunotherapy
  • Gene therapy
  • Bone marrow or stem cell transplantation
  • Radiation therapy
  • Clinical trials for eligible patients

Where can I get more information?
You should be sure to ask your doctors for their assessment and recommendations for your particular disease. For more information online, we recommend the following websites:

American Cancer Society The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society The Lymphoma Research Foundation