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Receiving the diagnosis of aggressive non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL) and then finding out that you need to start treatment straight away can be a daunting experience. You will have a lot to adjust to in a relatively short period of time. And of course you’ll want to know what’s going to happen to you.

Remember that you have many people around you – including your healthcare team – who can support you during this period. At Lymphoma Life we can give you a good general picture of what people with aggressive NHL usually experience. But you should bear in mind that everyone’s experience of NHL is unique and your haematologist or oncologist is the best person to talk to about your individual situation.

Find out more about your healthcare team

You may be familiar with the treatment environment

You have probably recently visited the hospital, lymphoma clinic or doctor’s office to have diagnostic tests. So you may already be familiar with the surroundings and some of the people that you’ll meet when you start treatment.

But beginning treatment can still be practically and emotionally challenging

Now that you are having, or are about to receive, treatment you are probably experiencing many different thoughts and emotions. Treatment for NHL is something you’ve not faced before, and you will be hoping that it can help you with the disease you’ve developed. So, it is understandable that you might be apprehensive about what is going to happen:

•  in a practical sense – What will I have to go through? Will it hurt?
• and in an emotional sense – How will I feel? Will it work? Will I be cured?

 

 Bear in mind that your treatment experience will probably be unique to you

You may have heard lots of stories in the media, or from other people, about the treatment you’re about to receive, and many of these stories may not be reassuring.
You shouldn’t let this worry you. It is unlikely that anything you’ve heard or read in the past from non-specific sources will apply directly to you.

Everyone’s experience of NHL is different, just as everyone’s individual health status and circumstances are unique. So it is unlikely that anyone else will have exactly the same treatment plan as you. The best people to talk to about what you should expect are the members of your healthcare team.

Lymphoma Life is here to help
 

At Lymphoma Life, we believe that helping you understand what to expect, and decide how to proactively help yourself, will make your treatment experience easier for you.

It’s important to remember that you’re not alone through this experience: as well as Lymphoma Life, there are many patient support groups that can offer help and advice.

But the most important thing to bear in mind is that the best people to talk to about your individual circumstances are the people in your own healthcare team. They will always be there to help and listen, and are best placed to advise you on how to help yourself through treatment.

Key things to know
 

• Your aggressive non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL) is a fast-growing condition Immediate treatment is usually necessary and will usually commence shortly after diagnosis
• It is often diagnosed early due to the rapid appearance of symptoms
• Although NHL is now a part of your life, there may be periods of time when you have no symptoms at all – this is known as remission
• Patients with aggressive NHL have a good chance of cure

Find out more about aggressive non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma symptoms

The aim of treatment in aggressive non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma is to cure the disease if possible
 

• If a cure is not possible, modern treatments mean that the disease may go into remission (a disease-free period).
• The particular treatment used will depend on many things, including:
  • The type of aggressive non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma you have
  • The stage of aggressive non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma you have
  • Where your lymphoma is
  • Your general health and age 

Find out more about your diagnosis and tests for disease staging

• Treatment for early-stage aggressive non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL) is usually a combination of immunotherapy and chemotherapy.
• In advanced-stage aggressive NHL, the treatment pathway is similar to that with early-stage aggressive NHL, although the chemotherapy/immunotherapy will often go on for longer.
• Radiotherapy is often given at the same time as chemotherapy and is directed at the parts of the body most affected by the disease. It is often additional to other treatment received. Radiotherapy is sometimes also given to affected sites after the immunochemotherapy is completed.
• If the treatment is not successful or is not possible, then your healthcare team will probably aim to control the symptoms and relieve pain (known as palliative care).
  
  Find out more about treatment for aggressive non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma