TreatmentMain treatments for non-Hodgkin lymphomaThe treatment you'll have for non-Hodgkin lymphoma depends on:
You may be offered a combination of treatments including chemotherapy, other medicines that target the cancer cells and radiotherapy. Your specialist treatment team will:
If you have any questions or worries, you can talk to your specialist team. Fast-growing non-Hodgkin lymphomaFast-growing (high grade) non-Hodgkin lymphoma needs to be treated straight away. Treatment can often get rid of it completely but sometimes you may need further treatment. Slow-growing non-Hodgkin lymphomaTreatment for slow-growing (low grade) non-Hodgkin lymphoma does not get rid of it but can keep it under control for many years. If you have slow-growing non-Hodgkin lymphoma, you can sometimes delay treatment if you do not have symptoms (this is sometimes called watch and wait). ChemotherapyChemotherapy uses medicines to kill cancer cells. It's sometimes given alongside steroid medicine. You may have chemotherapy for non-Hodgkin lymphoma:
Find out moreTargeted medicines and immunotherapyTargeted medicines kill cancer cells or stop them from growing as quickly. Immunotherapy is where medicines are used to help your immune system kill cancer. You may have targeted medicines or immunotherapy for non-Hodgkin lymphoma:
Find out moreRadiotherapyRadiotherapy uses high-energy radiation to kill cancer cells in your glands (lymph nodes). You may have radiotherapy for non-Hodgkin lymphoma:
Find out moreStem cell transplantA stem cell transplant is where damaged blood cells are replaced with healthy ones. You may have a stem cell transplant if:
Find out moreWatch and waitIf your cancer is slow growing (low grade), you may not need to have treatment straight away. Instead you'll have regular tests to monitor your lymphoma. You'll be offered treatment when tests show you need it. Find out moreNon-Hodgkin lymphoma and fertilitySome treatment for non-Hodgkin lymphoma can affect your ability to have children (fertility). Speak to your specialist team before treatment if you want to have children in the future. Find out moreWhat happens if you've been told your cancer cannot be curedIf you've been diagnosed with advanced non-Hodgkin lymphoma that has spread to other parts of the body (advanced cancer), it is sometimes harder to treat. The aim of treatment will be to slow down the growth and spread of the cancer, to help with the symptoms and help you live longer. Finding out cancer cannot be cured can be very hard news to take in. You'll be referred to a team of doctors and nurses called a palliative care team or symptom control team. They will help you to manage your symptoms and make you feel more comfortable. The palliative care team can also help you and your loved ones get any other support you need. Find out moreSexual Health AdviceThroughout this series we have help and advice on staying healthy, dealing with Sexually Transmitted Infections, the risks of each type of the most popular gay sex and what to do if the sex you have is not consentual. The topics covered in this series include:
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