Non-Hodgkin lymphoma is a form of cancer that is, fortunately, treatable in many circumstances. The difficulty is determining which type of Non-Hodgkin lymphoma a patient has and the extent of the disease. Yet there are some common forms of treatment that can aid a patient either in relieving pain or advancing recovery.
Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma
Lymphoma is cancer that affects the lymph nodes and lymph-related tissues and organs throughout the body. Since the lymph nodes are responsible for transmitting antibodies and running the body's autoimmune system, lymphoma can be particularly damaging. Both Hodgkin and Non-Hodgkin diseases involve the cancerous corruption of the white blood cells, but Non-Hodgkin lymphoma does not include the presence of a specific type of cell that can change the treatment options.
Radiation Therapy
Radiation therapy can be used to treat some forms of Non-Hodgkin lymphoma. The goal of radiation therapy is to shrink lymphatic tumors without damaging surrounding tissue. This can be beneficial for some Non-Hodgkin patients, like those with Burkitt's lymphoma, which is a very localized form of lymphoma. According to the Lymphoma Info website, external radiation is usually the form applied. An oncologist and a radiologist would decide where the radiation would be aimed and at what dosage levels. Typical radiation treatment for Non-Hodgkin lymphoma lasts four to six weeks.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is often the most effective form of treatment for Non-Hodgkin lymphoma, since many types can spread very quickly. Chemotherapy involves the application of chemicals into the bloodstream that would hunt down cancerous cells and destroy various parts of their DNA.
However, side effects from chemotherapy can be intense, especially since the mitigating factors that would ordinarily relieve the symptoms would be the lymph nodes. With the white blood cells already compromised, side effects could include hair loss, extreme fatigue and susceptibility to other infections. This is why many are only prescribed one or a combination of chemicals at one time. Patients receiving chemotherapy treatment should also be aware of the tumor lysis syndrome, in which larger lymphomatic tumors can break up and spread throughout the body.
Bone-Marrow Transplants
Bone-marrow transplants in Non-Hodgkin lymphoma patients have been performed since the 1990s. Bone marrow is extracted from the patient (or a matching donor) and frozen before chemotherapy, because chemotherapy tends to damage marrow. Once chemotherapy is complete, the marrow is thawed and injected into the patient.
Clinical Trials
For some more complicated versions of Non-Hodgkin lymphoma, patients can offer to participate in clinical trials. Clinical trials involve being treated with newer medications that use less traditional methods of attacking Non-Hodgkin lymphoma cells. Patients should be aware that the medications aren't fully developed or completely approved by the FDA, but they are usually given in smaller doses and under controlled circumstances. Patients participating in clinical trials can expect heavy monitoring and being asked lots of questions to help develop the products.
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