Lymphoma is a type of cancer of the lymph tissue. Lymph tissue is important for the immune system because it helps white blood cells multiply. The two kinds of lymphoma, known as Hodgkin's and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, are treated similarly. If the cancer has not spread beyond a localized cluster of lymph tissue, it can be treated using a few different options.
Radiation
Radiation therapy is a common treatment for localized lymphoma, the American Cancer Society explains. Radiation treatment uses high energy rays, known as X-ray beams, to attack and kill cancer cells.
Localized lymphoma is most commonly treated using a technique known as external beam radiation. With this form of radiation, a device called a linear accelerator is used to generate the X-ray beams, which are then aimed at the cancerous tissue. The aiming of the device is important, because the radiation beams can also damage healthy tissue; proper aiming maximizes the amount of radiation that hits the cancerous tissue while minimizing the damage done to healthy tissue. Radiation treatments are typically given several days per week for multiple weeks.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is a form of treatment for lymphoma in which medications are either taken by mouth or injected into a vein. These drugs poison the rapidly dividing cells in the lymph tissue. In general, a combination of chemotherapy drugs are given to a patient to help maximize the effects of the treatment. Chemotherapy is particularly effective for localized lymphoma, because it can attack the cells before they spread throughout the body.
Treatment with chemotherapy is generally given in cycles, which means that the patient receives the medication on a regular basis followed by a break of a few weeks, which gives the body time to recover. The exact medications used depend on the type of lymphoma and its location.
Biological Therapy
Biological therapy is an option for patients with some forms of localized lymphomas. Biological therapy, the National Cancer Institute explains, works by trying to augment the immune system's ability to kill cancer cells. For localized lymphoma, this treatment consists of the use of special proteins called monoclonal antibodies, which are made in a lab and injected into the patient. These antibodies are designed to bind to cancer cells and stimulate the immune system, which makes it easier for normal immune cells to identify and attack the cancerous cells.
