Radiation Therapy for Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma

The lymphatic system is a network of thin tubular vessels that branches out to almost all parts of the body. Scattered in between these vessels are lymph nodes. The job of the lymphatic system is to fight infection and disease.

• Non-Hodgkins lymphoma (NHL) refers to a variety of cancers involving the lymph system. Non-Hodgkins lymphoma can begin in any part of the body, not just the lymph nodes.
• According to the American Cancer Society, nearly 64,000 new cases of lymphoma will be diagnosed this year.
• Survival rates vary widely by cell type and stage of disease. More than 75 percent of patients with NHL live longer than a year after diagnosis; nearly 60 percent of patients live longer than five years.

Risk factors for developing lymphoma are unknown. However, doctors believe immune system problems as well as age may increase a person’s chance of developing this disease.

• Non-Hodgkins is most commonly found in people in their 60s and 70s. However, the disease can affect anyone.
• People with auto-immune disorders, including HIV and AIDS, are more likely to develop non-Hodgkins lymphoma.
• People who have received an organ transplant have a high risk of developing non-Hodgkins. This is because they must take drugs that suppress the immune system.

The signs and symptoms of lymphoma are general and may also be associated with other, noncancerous conditions. Talk to your doctor about any of these problems.

• Swollen lymph nodes in your neck, underarm or groin.
• Unexplained fevers.
• Unexplained weight loss.
• Constant fatigue.
• Skin rash or itchy skin.
• Unexplained pain in the chest, abdomen, pelvis or bones.
• Drenching night sweats.

Unexplained fevers, night sweats and weight loss are known as “B” symptoms. Ask your doctor about their significance in your case.

Lymphoma is not just one disease. Rather, it is more than 30 types of cancer that act differently and may need special treatment. To see if you have lymphoma and what kind it is, your doctor may order some or all of the following tests.

• The doctor may order blood tests to evaluate a variety of factors, including the number of blood cells in your blood and how well your liver and kidneys are working.
• During a lymph node biopsy, your doctor will perform surgery to take out a lymph node. It will then be examined under a microscope to look for cancer.
• A bone marrow biopsy may help determine if lymphoma has spread to that part of the body.
• Your doctor may order imaging tests to see if lymphoma has spread to other organs. These tests may include X-rays or CT, PET or MRI scans.

The stage of cancer is a term used to describe its size and whether it has spread. Knowing this helps doctors plan the best treatment.

Treatment options depend on the type of lymphoma you have, the stage of the lymphoma and your overall health. Treatment may include radiation therapy or chemo-therapy, either alone or in combination. Other treatments include watchful waiting and biologic therapy. It may help to talk to several cancer specialists before deciding on the best course of treatment for you, your cancer and your lifestyle

• A radiation oncologist is a doctor who specializes in destroying cancer cells with high energy X-rays or other types of radiation.
• A medical oncologist is a doctor who is an expert at prescribing special drugs (chemotherapy) to treat cancer. Some medical oncologists are also hematologists, meaning they have experience treating blood problems.

Radiation therapy, also called radiotherapy, is the careful use of radiation to safely and effectively kill cancer cells while avoiding nearby healthy tissue.

• Radiation oncologists use radiation therapy to try to cure cancer, to control cancer growth and to relieve symptoms, such as pain.
• Radiation therapy works within cancer cells by damaging their ability to multiply. When these cells are destroyed by the radiation, the body naturally eliminates them.
• Healthy tissues can also be affected by radiation, but they are usually able to repair themselves in a way cancer cells cannot.

The side effects you may experience will depend on the part of the body being treated, the amount of radiation you are given, and whether or not you have received chemotherapy. Ask your doctor before treatment begins about possible side effects and how best to manage them. Most side effects go away once you finish treatment.

• You may experience very few or no side effects and can continue your normal routine during treatment.
• You may notice mild skin irritation, upset stomach, hair loss, sore throat, loose bowel movements, nausea and fatigue.

Tell your doctor or nurse if you experience any discomfort during treatment. They may be able to prescribe medication or change your diet to help.