The American Cancer society estimates that approximately 65,000 people will be diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, as of 2009. Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma is a cancer that starts in immune system cells known as lymphocytes. Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma encompasses several types of lymphoma that tend to spread, behave and respond to treatment in a similar fashion. Treatment for these lymphomas often involves a combination of medications and procedures in order to fully eradicate the cancer from the body.
Radiation Therapy
Radiation therapy uses high energy rays to kill cancer cells. The radiation used most frequently for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma is external beam radiation. The procedure is painless and is similar to getting an x-ray. Treatments last only a few minutes, although the setup procedure may take a few hours. Patients will most often undergo treatment five days a week for several weeks. Lymphomas caught in the early stages respond well to radiation therapy alone. Later stage lymphomas may require chemotherapy as well. Radiation therapy may also provide relief for patients who have tumors pressing against nerves or whose cancer has penetrated internal organs. Side effects of radiation can include a sunburn-like rash and fatigue. Radiation to the chest may cause lung damage and trouble breathing. In cases where radiation to the brain is necessary, side effects have occurred one to two years after therapy including headaches, memory loss, trouble concentrating and personality changes.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is the use of a group of cancer fighting drugs most often given by injection or by mouth. These medications have the ability to reach all areas of the body, making them especially useful in the treatment of lymphomas. In cases where lymphoma has reached the brain or spinal cord, physicians may inject the medication directly into the fluid of the spine. Physicians give chemotherapy in cycles to allow the body to rest and recover from the drugs' side effects. The exact medications used to treat the lymphoma depend on many factors, including the staging of the cancer and the type of lymphoma. The most common drug regimen for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma goes by the acronym CHOP and represents the drug cocktail of cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine and prednisone. Side effects of chemotherapy can include hair loss, nausea and vomiting, mouth sores, increased infections, increased bleeding and fatigue.
Cell Transplantation
Stem cells are a group of cells that have the ability to renew themselves and differentiate into a diverse number of specialized cells. The American Cancer Society explains that physicians are using bone marrow and peripheral blood stem cell transplantation for initial treatment therapy as it allows for a more aggressive treatment of the lymphoma. High dose chemotherapy kills healthy bone marrow preventing new blood cells from forming. This can lead to an increase in infections, bleeding and a lack of oxygen to the body's tissues. Physicians may now use higher doses of chemotherapy on patients because they can then use stem cells to replenish healthy cells killed by the chemotherapy drugs. Physicians collect stem cells from the blood or bone marrow, depending on the type of stem cells needed. Patients donating bone marrow stem cells will need to undergo a surgical procedure for the removal of the cells. The procedure for peripheral blood stem cells is much like normal blood donation.
References
- MayoClinic.com: Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma---Treatments and Drugs
- American Cancer Society: Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin's Type---Radiation Therapy
- American Cancer Society: Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin's Type---Chemotherapy
- American Cancer Society: Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin's Type---Bone Marrow or Peripheral Stem Cell Transplantation
