Lymphoma treatment

Chemotherapy. Given that lymphoma initiates in white blood cells circulating in the blood, it requires a treatment that reaches every cell in the body as in the case of chemotherapy.

Radiotherapy. Radiotherapy is administered whenever the lymph nodes are very large and chemotherapy does not manage to eradicate all of the disease.

Surgery. Unlike the most common cancers (breast, lung, colon), surgery does not play any role whatsoever in lymphoma treatment. Surgery is only used to collect a sample in order to reach a diagnosis, but it does not form part of the treatment.

Bone marrow transplant. In some specific cases, the possibility of a bone marrow transplant (haematopoietic progenitors) may be considered. The transplant material could be collected from either the patient themselves (autologous transplant) or from a donor (allogeneic transplant).

Orally, in tablets or capsules.

Subcutaneously or intramuscularly.

 Intravenously, which requires the placement of a venous access device.

Peripheral cannula. This method involves inserting a small plastic cannula into the arm or hand in order to administer short-duration medicines that are not very irritating.

Peripherally inserted central catheters (PICC line). This technique consists of inserting a catheter into a vein in the arm, or the jugular or subclavian veins, and is used for irritating medications, treatments that need to administer drugs with an infusion pump or in the case of patients with poor venous access.

Permanent central venous catheter (Port-A-Cath®). This involves implanting a subcutaneous reservoir, typically in the subclavicular area, which provides direct access to the superior vena cava. Medicines are injected through the skin and into the reservoir using a special needle. These devices are used in patients receiving long-term treatments, with poor venous access or who need to receive drugs administered via an infusion pump.

Infections. This is the most common reason why patients receiving chemotherapy are admitted to hospital. That is why all patients receiving chemotherapy must be asked if they have a fever of 38 °C or more.

Nausea and vomiting. These can be prevented with medication, but sometimes they are not enough and patients need additional medicines. It is important to inform the doctor if you have severe nausea/vomiting.

Diarrhoea, generally mild. If it is very severe, then you should discuss it with your doctor because it could be due to an intestinal infection.

Numbness in the hands and feet, a tingling sensation, a loss of sensitivity or even weakness (neuropathy). These symptoms are directly associated with some of the drugs used to treat lymphomas and it is important to report them because sometimes the dose might need to be reduced.

Reduction in lymphocytes, erythrocytes and platelets. That is why a blood analysis is performed before each treatment cycle. Some treatments might even be withdrawn because the values are very low or because the doctor may add some other medicines (growth factors) in order to reinforce blood cell production.

Infusion-related reactions. These only appear while the medicines are being infused, in other words they always happen at the hospital. They may present as fever, itchiness, skin rash, chills or even dizziness or shortness of breath. If this happens, then it is very important for patients to inform the nursing staff because the infusion must be stopped and other medicines administered (paracetamol, antihistamines, corticosteroids). Even if these symptoms appear, however, it does not necessarily mean the patient is allergic to the medication. In fact the majority of patients finish receiving the therapy even though they have presented infusion-related reactions at some time.

Inflammation or pain in the arm at the administration site. You should discuss this with the nursing team.

Hair loss. Hair loss does not always occur, but when it does, it is usually total. Hair grows back after finishing the treatment.