Treatment depends upon the stage of the disease. Low-grade disease may just need to be observed with no treatment until it causes problems (early treatment is not more effective). When treatment becomes necessary, chemotherapy or radiation therapy may be used. Patients with more aggressive or resistant disease may require more intensive treatment. High-dose chemotherapy with bone marrow transplantation may be a treatment option in selected cases.
Support Groups:
The stress of illness may be eased by joining a support group whose members share common experiences and problems. See cancer - support group.
Expectations (prognosis):
The average survival is 6 to 8 years for patients with low-grade lymphoma. The outcome for patients with high-grade lymphoma depends upon the response to chemotherapy or other treatment, and the type of high-grade lymphoma. About 30% of adults with high-grade lymphoma are permanently cured.
Complications:
Infections resulting from immune suppression from chemotherapy or radiation therapy, or low gamma globulin secondary to disease
Call your health care provider if symptoms of this disorder develop.
If you have non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, call your health care provider if you experience persistent fever or other signs of infection.
Review Date: 8/3/2004
Reviewed By: Marcia S. Brose, M.D., Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Hematology/Oncology, The University of Pennsylvania Cancer Center, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.
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