Treatment for non-Hodgkin lymphoma depends on the lymphoma subtype, stage, symptoms, and the patient's overall health.
- Active Surveillance (Watchful Waiting): Some slow-growing lymphomas may not require immediate treatment. Patients are closely monitored until treatment becomes necessary.
- Chemotherapy: Chemotherapy uses medications to destroy cancer cells and remains a cornerstone of treatment for many forms of NHL.
- Immunotherapy: These treatments help the immune system recognize and attack lymphoma cells. Monoclonal antibodies, such as rituximab, are commonly used for many B-cell lymphomas.
- Targeted Therapy: Targeted therapies block specific proteins or pathways that lymphoma cells use to grow and survive.
- Radiation Therapy: Radiation may be used to treat localized lymphoma or relieve symptoms caused by enlarged lymph nodes.
- CAR T-Cell Therapy: This advanced form of immunotherapy modifies a patient's own immune cells to recognize and attack lymphoma cells. It may be used for certain relapsed or treatment-resistant lymphomas.
- Stem Cell Transplant: Some patients may benefit from a stem cell transplant following high-dose chemotherapy to help restore healthy blood-forming cells.
- Clinical Trials: Clinical trials provide access to promising new therapies and treatment approaches that may not yet be widely available.
- Supportive and Palliative Care: Symptom management, nutritional support, and psychosocial services can help improve quality of life during and after treatment.
At the GW Cancer Center, a multidisciplinary team of hematologic oncologists, radiation oncologists, pathologists, radiologists, nurses, and supportive care specialists works together to develop personalized treatment plans for patients with non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Access to clinical trials and the latest advances in lymphoma care helps ensure that patients receive comprehensive, individualized treatment.
