Treatments
Everyone’s experience with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL) is different. In general though, the way that NHL develops and the decision to start treatment depends on whether the lymphoma is indolent (slow-growing) or aggressive (fast-growing) and what symptoms you have.
What sorts of medicines are used to treat non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma?
The two major types of treatment for non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL) are described in the table below:
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Immunotherapy |
Chemotherapy |
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What is it? |
Either a molecule called a monoclonal antibody or a molecule called an interferon that can switch on the body’s own natural defences |
A chemical or compound that kills rapidly growing cells |
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What does it do? |
Stimulates the body’s natural defences – the immune system – to kill cancer cells |
Kills the cancer cells that are multiplying quickly and causing lymphoma, but also kills healthy cells that are multiplying quickly |
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How do I take it? |
As an injection (interferon) or a drip that is slowly infused into a vein (monoclonal antibody),. Ccan be used on its own or at the same time as chemotherapy |
Can be oral or injected. Many chemotherapy drugs are often used together |
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How long do I take it for? |
This depends on the type of NHL you have. However, monoclonal antibodies are usually given once every 3 weeks for up to 8 cycles as initial induction therapy and for most patients can be followed by one dose every three months for up to two years (or 8 cycles) as maintenance therapy. However, maintenance therapy may not be suitable for some patients. Sometimes you may get one dose every week for 4 weeks as initial or induction therapy. Immunotherapy is given to people with follicular lymphoma |
Usually you get one dose of chemotherapy every three weeks for 6–8 months, with breaks between treatments. The exact type and length of chemotherapy will be designed specifically for your NHL type |
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Does it have side effects? |
Some people can have an allergic reaction, causing flu-like symptoms (fever, chills and shivering), a drop in blood pressure or feelings of sickness. You may be given some other medicines first to make such a reaction less likely. These reactions also tend to become far less noticeable after the first treatment. Before taking your medication, and for more information about side effects, please read the patient information leaflet that is available from your doctor |
Chemotherapy can have unpleasant side effects such as nausea and hair loss, but other medicines can help control them. Different treatments will have different side effects and these may not even be the same for everyone Before taking this medication, and for more information about side effects, please read the patient information leaflet that is available from your doctor |
Tell me more about treatments for non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
If you already know which kind of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL) you have, you’ll find more detail on the specific treatments available in the main Indolent non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma or Aggressive non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma sections of Lymphoma Life. If you’re not sure or can’t remember what type of NHL you have, our test could help you decide which section to look at.
Indolent non-Hodgkin's lymphoma
- Treatment might not be needed straight away and it could be better to wait for symptoms to develop before you start treatment - known as ‘Watch watch and wait'
- If you have advanced-stage NHL and you are having symptoms, you will usually receive an initial induction treatment made up of immunotherapy and chemotherapy
- Continuing the immunotherapy on its own after the initial induction treatment has finished, through what is called a maintenance course, is being investigated as a treatment option for newly diagnosed patients in Europe. This treatment pathway is already approved for newly diagnosed patients in some countries such as Canada, and is also approved as an option for patients whose symptoms have returned after treatment (relapsed) in most countries
- Complete or partial remission - disappearance of symptoms - can often be achieved through treatment
- Symptoms may return and need more treatment, but patients can often live normal lives for many years
Find out about indolent non-Hodgkin's lymphoma
Aggressive non-Hodgkin's lymphoma
- Treatment is usually needed straight away
- Normally requires a combination of immunotherapy and chemotherapy
- Radiotherapy can sometimes be given to specific sites after chemotherapy
- Remission is likely, with the possibility of cure in the majority of cases
Aggressive non-Hodgkin's lymphoma
Not sure which type of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma you have? Follow our test