Lymphoma
There are two major types of lymphoma:
- Hodgkin's Lymphoma and
- Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma.
Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma (NHL):
There are more than 30 subtypes of Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
The most common types are low grade lymphoma (follicular lymphoma the most common) and diffuse large B-cell lymphoma.
Low grade lymphoma
- is not curable and grows slowly and may or may not require treatment in the beginning.
- Some patients remain well without lymphoma progressing for years.
Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma
- It can be cured and requires chemotherapy in a timely fashion.
- The chemotherapy that is normally used is called R-CHOP.
- R stands for Rituxan (Rituximab), developed by Professor Ronald Levy at Stanford University Medical Center and to date, the best drug available for treatment of lymphoma.
Radiation therapy:
Some patients may require radiation therapy following completion of chemotherapy.
Hodgkin’s Lymphoma:
- Hodgkin’s lymphoma is treated with a different type of chemotherapy.
- The most commonly used chemotherapy regimen is called ABVD (Adriamycin, Bleomycin, Vincristine, Dacarbazine).
Radiation therapy:
Some patients may require radiation therapy following completion of chemotherapy.
Diagnosis:
Usually a biopsy (taking a small piece) of the growth is needed to establish a diagnosis.
Other tests, such as CT scan, PET scan, and MRI may also be ordered
Referral:
- You may be referred to medical oncology after a biopsy has confirmed the diagnosis of lymphoma.
- Your oncologist will discuss with you what type of lymphoma you have and what treatment options you may benefit from.
Common questions:
Can low grade lymphoma be cured? There is no cure at this time.
Can diffuse large B-cell lymphoma be cured? Yes.
Can Burkitt's lymphoma be cured? Yes.
Can mantle cell lymphoma be cured? There is no cure at this time.
Stem Cell Transplant:
Some patients who relapsed may be considered for stem cell transplant:
- autologous or allogeneic.
- Autologous means using a patient's own stem cells;
- Allogeneic means using another person's stem cells (donor’s stem cells), from related or unrelated donor.
- A patient who requires stem cell transplant will be referred to Stanford Medical Center Department of Bone Marrow Transplant.
When is stem cell transplant considered?
- Patients with relapsed or refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma who respond to salvage chemotherapy.
- Patients with mantle cell lymphoma are sometimes considered for allogeneic stem cell transplant.
Clinical trials available for treatment of lymphoma at Kaiser Permanente Santa Clara:
