Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma Treatment Options
 

Overview. Whenever possible, patients diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma should have their treatment planned by a multidisciplinary team of doctors with expertise in treating lymphomas, such as those found at The Lacks Cancer Center. There are a variety of adult non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma treatment options available. However, the choice of treatment depends on the rate at which the disease is spreading. The treatment of indolent or low-grade lymphoma may initially involve a period of watchful waiting, while aggressive or highly aggressive non-Hodgkin lymphoma is typically treated with chemotherapy, radiation therapy or a combination of both. Ultimately, there are four forms of treatment, used either individually or in combination:

Chemotherapy. This treatment uses potent drugs to eradicate, shrink, slow the growth of cancer, or prevent it from spreading. To treat certain types of adult non-Hodgkin lymphoma that spread to the brain, CNS prophylaxis (chemotherapy given to kill cancer cells in the brain or spinal cord) may be used. Typically, a combination of drugs is administered intravenously (directly into the veins) in a series of treatments over a period of weeks or months, with breaks in between so that the patient’s body can recover. In some instances combination chemotherapy, using two or more anticancer drugs, may be used or steroids may be added to relieve swelling and inflammation.

Radiation therapy. The primary objective of radiation therapy is to kill cancer cells while harming as little normal tissue as possible. This therapy may be used before, during and/or after chemotherapy, and is delivered in one of two ways depending on the type and stage of cancer being treated. Radiation can either be administered to the affected area(s) from outside the body or, in other instances, inserted through a needle or catheter into or near the cancer.

Stem Cell Transplant. The stem cell transplantation process is a complex and lengthy one. The patient is initially treated with radiation therapy and/or high doses of drugs, which destroy both the abnormal and normal blood cells in the bone marrow. The patient then receives healthy stem cells through a flexible tube that is placed in a large vein in the neck or chest area. These new blood cells will continue to produce healthy blood cells in the marrow.
Stem cell transplants occur in specialized centers around the state and country. The Lacks Cancer Center partners with those centers to provide this key inpatient therapy at those centers.

Biologic Therapy. Monoclonal antibody therapy uses laboratory made antibodies (proteins used by the immune system to identify and defuse foreign objects). The antibodies attach to certain substances on cancer cells that can kill them, block their growth, or keep them from spreading. These antibodies are typically given to the patient through an infusion. They may be used alone or to carry drugs, toxins or radioactive material directly to cancer cells.

Seek the most aggressive treatments available from our multidisciplinary team with a referral from your primary care physician or with a self-referral by calling 1-877-LACKS-MI or 616-685-LACK(S).