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Symptoms
Diagnosis
Types of Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma
Staging
Treatment
Getting a Second Opinion
Preparing for Treatment
Methods of Treatment
Clinical Trials
Side Effects of Treatment
Chemotherapy
Radiation Therapy
Bone Marrow Transplantation
Biological Therapy
Surgery
Nutrition During Cancer Treatment
Recovery and Outlook
Followup Care
Support for People with Cancer
Risk Factors Associated with Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma
Other Booklets
National Cancer Institute Information Resources
Introduction
The diagnosis of cancer brings with it many questions and a need for clear, understandable answers. This National Cancer Institute (NCI) booklet is intended to help people with non-Hodgkins lymphoma and their families and friends better understand this type of cancer. ... For up-to-date information, call the National Cancer Institutes Cancer Information Service (CIS). The toll-free number is 1-800-4-CANCER (1-800-422-6237). The CIS provides the most current information on cancer for patients, health professionals, and the general public. Cancer information specialists can talk with callers and send information from PDQ®, the NCIs cancer information database, and other NCI materials. ... Other sources of NCI information are listed in the "National Cancer Institute Information Resources" section. ...
Non-Hodgkins lymphoma is a type of cancer. ... Lymphomas account for about 5 percent of all cases of cancer in this country. ...
Cancer is a group of many related diseases that begin in cells, the bodys basic unit of life. ... This type of cancer can spread to almost any part of the body, including the liver, bone marrow, and spleen. ... A surgeon removes a sample of tissue so that a pathologist can examine it under a microscope to check for cancer cells. ...
If I do have cancer, who will talk with me about treatment? ... Most often, they are grouped by how the cancer cells look under a microscope and how quickly they are likely to grow and spread. ... Staging is a careful attempt to find out whether the cancer has spread and, if so, what parts of the body are affected. ... A pathologist examines the sample under a microscope to check for cancer cells. ...
The Cancer Information Service, at 1-800-4-CANCER, can tell callers about cancer treatment facilities, including cancer centers and other programs supported by the National Cancer Institute. ... ")
Preparing for Treatment
Many people with cancer want to learn all they can about their disease and their treatment choices so they can take an active part in decisions about their medical care. When a person is diagnosed with cancer, shock and stress are natural reactions. ...
Chemotherapy is the use of drugs to kill cancer cells. ...
Radiation therapy (also called radiotherapy) is the use of high-energy rays to kill cancer cells. ... Radiation therapy is local treatment; it affects cancer cells only in the treated area. ...
Sometimes patients are given chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy to kill undetected cancer cells that may be present in the central nervous system (CNS). ... The healthy bone marrow may come from a donor, or it may be marrow that was removed from the patient, treated to destroy cancer cells, stored, and then given back to the person following the high-dose treatment. ...
Biological therapy (also called immunotherapy) is a form of treatment that uses the bodys immune system, either directly or indirectly, to fight cancer or to lessen the side effects that can be caused by some cancer treatments. ... Research like this has led to significant advances in the treatment of cancer. Each achievement brings researchers closer to the eventual control of cancer. ... They may also want to read the National Cancer Institute booklet Taking Part in Clinical Trials: What Cancer Patients Need To Know, which describes how studies are carried out and explains their possible benefits and risks. ... Another way to learn about clinical trials is through the Cancer Information Service. ... It is hard to limit the effects of therapy so that only cancer cells are removed or destroyed. ...
The side effects of cancer treatment depend mainly on the type and extent of the therapy. ... In addition to cancer cells, these include blood cells, which fight infection, help the blood to clot, or carry oxygen to all parts of the body. ... However, certain anticancer drugs can increase the risk of developing a second cancer later in life. ... The National Cancer Institute booklet Chemotherapy and You has helpful information about chemotherapy and coping with side effects. ... The National Cancer Institute booklet Radiation Therapy and You has helpful information about radiation therapy and managing its side effects. ...
Nutrition During Cancer Treatment
Eating well during cancer treatment means getting enough calories and protein to help prevent weight loss and regain strength. ...
Some people with cancer find it hard to eat a balanced diet because they may lose their appetite. ... Also, people being treated for cancer may not feel like eating when they are uncomfortable or tired.
Doctors, nurses, and dietitians can offer advice on how to get enough calories and protein during cancer treatment. Patients and their families also may want to read the National Cancer Institute booklet Eating Hints for Cancer Patients, which contains many useful suggestions.
Recovery and Outlook
It is natural for anyone facing cancer to be concerned about what the future holds. Understanding the nature of cancer and what to expect can help patients and their loved ones plan treatment, anticipate lifestyle changes, and make quality of life and financial decisions.
Cancer patients frequently ask their doctors or search on their own for an answer to the question, "What is my prognosis? ... The prognosis for a person with non-Hodgkins lymphoma can be affected by many factors, particularly the type and stage of the cancer and the patients age, general health, and response to treatment. ...
When doctors talk about surviving cancer, they may use the term remission rather than cure. Although many people with non-Hodgkins lymphoma are successfully treated, doctors use the term remission because cancer can return. ... Regular followup care ensures that patients are carefully monitored, any changes in health are discussed, and new or recurrent cancer can be detected and treated as soon as possible. ...
Support for People with Cancer
Living with a serious disease is not easy. People with cancer and those who care about them face many problems and challenges. ... Several useful booklets, including Taking Time, are available from the Cancer Information Service and through other sources listed in the "National Cancer Institute Information Resources" section. ... Also, it helps many patients to discuss their concerns with others who have cancer. Cancer patients often get together in support groups, where they can share what they have learned about coping with cancer and the effects of treatment. ... Treatments and ways of dealing with cancer that work for one person may not be right for another -- even if they both have the same kind of cancer.
Approximate Word count = 5485
Approximate Pages = 21.9
(250 words per page double spaced)
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