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Newly diagnosed with indolent NHLnon-Hodgkin’s lymphoma

As someone who’s just been diagnosed with indolent non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL), you’re probably feeling a bit bewildered by all the new information you’ve been given. You might be unsure about what this means for you, or for your family and friends, and you could be overwhelmed by everything you need to think about.

Don’t worry if you don’t understand, or remember, everything at first

This is a common way to feel when you get a life-changing diagnosis and you’ll probably need some time to think about all the details. You’ll find lots of information here that can help, and don’t forget: your healthcare team will always have time to talk to you and answer any questions that you have.

Remember, you are not alone

Your family and friends, your healthcare team, patient and carer support groups, and of course Lymphoma Life are all here to help you though your life with NHL. And Lymphoma Life has many patient stories that you can read to compare your experiences.

Lymphoma Life is a clear and easy-to-understand guide to non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and its treatment

If you have a thousand questions that you want to ask, and perhaps don’t know who to go to for help, this is a great place to start gathering information.

At Lymphoma Life we are determined to help you live a full life despite your disease. We’ll be able to answer a lot of your questions and also help you think about what to ask your healthcare team at your next check-up. Lymphoma Life can also act as a source of information and support for the people around you who are affected by you being ill.

Our Lymphoma Life non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma support programme includes a series of printed materials, as well as this website, that will help you to better understand non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and its treatment, and help you get the most out of life. You can order them here

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What to expect

What is indolent NHL?

Visiting the clinic

Treatment and outcomes

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8 THINGS TO KNOW about indolent non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma

Indolent non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) is a type of cancer of your lymphocytes (a kind of white blood cell)

The most common symptom is a painless swelling in the neck, armpit or groin

Other symptoms include drenching night sweats, persistent fever and weight loss

It grows slowly and can be called ‘low-grade' NHL

There are often no symptoms at diagnosis, so it can be hard to recognise

Treatment is often not needed straight away, and therapy can often be delayed until symptoms appear

When you do need treatment, it will most likely delay the progression of your disease

Most patients with indolent NHL live for several years, and many have a normal life expectancy