If you have been diagnosed and staged with non-Hodgkin Lymphoma, you will be provided with a cancer care team who will discuss the various treatment options that are available to you. Despite there being several types of treatments that can be used against non-Hodgkin lymphoma, treatment options will depend entirely on the type of lymphoma an individual has, the stage, and various other prognostic factors. As the saying goes, no two people are exactly alike, therefore standard options for treatment are often tailor made to each patient’s condition.
The 5 main types of treatment for non-Hodgkin lymphoma are as followed
- Chemotherapy
- Immunotherapy
- Targeted therapy
- Radiation therapy
- Stem cell transplant
Additionally, another important part of treatment for non-Hodgkin Lymphoma is palliative or supportive care, which helps to prevent or treat problems such as infections or low blood cell counts.
Depending on the type of treatment that you receive, you may find yourself with different types of doctors on your cancer care team.
The 3 main doctors that you might encounter include:
- A hematologist: a doctor who treats blood disorders, including lymphomas
- A medical oncologist: a doctor who treats cancer through medicine
- A radiation oncologist: a doctor who treats cancer through radiation therapy
With that said, there are many other specialists who may be involved in your care as well, including social workers, nurses, nurse practitioners, and nutrition specialists.
In choosing a treatment plan, it’s important that you discuss all of your treatment options with your doctor as well as their possible side effects. In fact, when choosing a plan, consider the following: your health and the type and stage of the lymphoma that you have. Like any medical procedure, it’s crucial that you understand all of the risks and side effects of the treatment before committing to it. Often, it’s a good idea to seek a second opinion as this gives you more information and can help you feel confident after you decide on a treatment plan. Generally speaking, most doctors are willing to help their patients find another cancer doctor who can give them a second opinion.
Participation in Clinical Trials
One way of getting state-of-the-art cancer treatment is through clinical trials, which are controlled research studies that are done to get a closer look at new treatments. In fact, clinical trials are one of the best ways for a doctor to learn new methods of treating cancer. However, they are not for everyone.
If you are interested in clinical trials and you would like to learn more about a trial that is right for you, start by asking your doctor if your health care facility conducts these trials.
Alternative Treatment Options
An alternative treatment option is a method that your doctor has not mentioned to treat your cancer or relieve any symptoms. These methods can include the following: vitamins, herbs, special diets, acupuncture or massages. Alternative treatments are used instead of doctor’s medical treatments, therefore there are many methods that have proven not to work and some can even be dangerous. Complementary methods, on the other hand, refer to treatments that are used at the same time as your regular medical care. If you have a method that you are thinking about using, consult your cancer care team first as they can inform you on the unknown, which will help aid you to make an informed decision.
Receiving Support Through Cancer Treatment
First and foremost, all of your information and support will come from your cancer care team. If you feel like you need more help getting through your cancer treatment, you can reach out to hospital based support services such as nursing or social work services, financial aid, rehab, nutritional advice, or spiritual help.
In addition, the American Cancer Society offers programs and services such as rides to treatment, lodging, support groups, and more, to help an individual get through treatment. If you are looking for more information about these services, call the National Cancer Information Center at 1-800-227-2345.
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