Radiotherapy
The most common use of radiotherapy to treat aggressive non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL) is when radiation is used to kill or slow down the growth of your affected white blood cells (lymphocytes).
- Radiotherapy is sometimes given after chemotherapy to increase the chance of remission or cure. The two treatments may be given at the same time, although this is rare. The radiotherapy is directed specifically at the affected lymph nodes.
- Planning the treatment carefully to target the lymphoma and make sure the side effects are minimal plays an important part in radiotherapy. So, as part of this planning process, you might need to visit the clinic several times before treatment begins.
- Radiation is also commonly used at low doses in the diagnosis of NHL, for example when you have X-rays taken. This is referred to as diagnostic imaging and is not radiotherapy.
Tell me more about radiotherapy for non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
Therapeutic radiation kills cells in the body by damaging the DNA
Beams of radiation are concentrated directly on areas that are affected by non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. The radiation causes such severe damage to the DNA of cells in that area that it is impossible for the cells to repair themselves. This kills or slows the growth of the lymphoma cells in that area.
The planning stage of radiotherapy is important to make sure that healthy cells are protected and side effects are minimised
The area to be treated will be carefully mapped out and the treatment machine will be adjusted so that only the lymphoma cells are exposed to a full dose of radiotherapy. This will limit the side effects as much as possible.
Because of the need to target the radiation to exactly the right area of the body, your doctor will need to carry out investigations such as a CT (computerised tomography) scan or X-ray to accurately map out the areas of your body that are affected by lymphoma.
Sometimes a mould might be made to hold your body in the correct position during treatment. Your radiotherapist might also draw small marks on your body that will help them position you properly and show where to direct the beams of radiation. These marks will usually have to stay there throughout your radiotherapy treatment.
In this way, the normal cells surrounding the lymphoma are spared the full dose, and these cells are usually able to repair themselves more easily than lymphoma cells.
Therefore, radiotherapy can often control or destroy lymphoma cells, while causing only temporary damage to normal cells.
Radiotherapy is usually given on an outpatient basis, and you might need to visit the hospital up to five times a week
- Before each treatment, you will be carefully positioned, usually lying on a treatment table. Parts of your body that are not being treated may be covered.
- It is important to remain completely still during the treatment.
- Each treatment usually lasts only a few minutes and causes no discomfort
- Although you are left alone during the actual treatment, the radiotherapy technicians watch from an observation room and you can to talk to them through a microphone.
- A course of radiotherapy usually lasts for between 2 and 6 weeks, but this will depend on your individual circumstances.
Preparing for therapy
When starting/receiving therapy, visiting the hospital or doctor can be a stressful time. Preparing for these times can make them easier to cope with.
Read how to prepare for hospital/doctor visits for non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
Who will give me the radiotherapy for non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma?
Your radiotherapy will be planned by a specialised radiotherapist
These specialist cancer doctors have a particular interest in radiotherapy and are also known as radiation oncologists or clinical oncologists. They will help decide how much radiation is needed, and the best way of delivering the radiation to the areas of the body that need it.
Your treatment will be delivered by a radiotherapy technician
Radiotherapy technicians are specialists in controlling the machines that will deliver the beams of radiation to your body. They will be advised by your radiotherapist on how you are to be treated, and will help position you beforehand and talk to you from an observation room while the procedure is underway.
Clinical nurse specialist – a nurse who has specialised in non-Hodgkin's lymphoma
Although they might not be directly involved in your radiotherapy, the clinical nurse specialist is often your main point of contact at the clinic. They will be able to talk to you about your radiotherapy and answer any questions that you might have.
A note about radiotherapy
As with most treatments, it is important to note that radiation therapy is not appropriate in all cases of aggressive non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL). Radiotherapy is also usually used only once on a particular area of the body, so other treatments, such as chemotherapy or immunotherapy, may be more appropriate if your NHL relapses. Your doctor or clinical nurse specialist is always the best person to talk to about your individual treatment plan.