Getting a non-Hodgkin lymphoma diagnosis can be a shock. You may feel a flood of emotions and have lots of questions about your diagnosis, treatment options and what comes next.
Though this can feel like a lot to handle, you don’t have to go it alone. We’ve put together this guide to help you know what to expect, where to find support and where to access important resources.
Find out about the warning signs of non-Hodgkin lymphoma. The earlier you catch it, the more treatment options you have.
Learn about the costs of non-Hodgkin lymphoma treatments and about financial resources that can help in your situation.
Explore ways you can care for a loved one with non-Hodgkin lymphoma and provide meaningful support at every step.
A Stage 2 non-Hodgkin lymphoma diagnosis means your cancer has spread to more than one lymph node region and may also be in nearby organs. It’s on just one side of your diaphragm.
It’s considered an early stage, so some people can expect to be cured and others can achieve remission. That means the cancer has been reduced and stops growing. You have a favorable outlook, particularly if your cancer responds well to treatments like chemotherapy and radiation.
How is non-Hodgkin lymphoma diagnosed? The process begins with a medical history and physical exam, followed by tests. Most people also have a biopsy where sample cells are collected for study. The result gives your medical team clear and complete information about your non-Hodgkin lymphoma and your general health, so that they can create an effective lymphoma treatment plan.
These are the common steps:
Medical history: Diagnosis starts with a complete medical history. This includes any symptoms you may be experiencing, such as an unexplained fever, night sweats, weight loss or swollen lymph nodes. Be sure to share any past exposure to drugs, toxins or radiation, as well as any previous infections. It’s also important to mention if lymphoma or other types of cancer run in your family.
Physical exam: Your doctor will note any swollen lymph nodes after checking around your neck, underarms and groin area. Next, they will examine your spleen or liver to see if they’re affected.
Blood tests: These lab tests look for signs of infection, anemia and low blood counts. They will also detect non-Hodgkin lymphoma markers, specific molecules that indicate non-Hodgkin lymphoma is present.
Biopsy: The most important test is one that involves taking a sample of a swollen lymph node or nearby tissue. This material is checked under a microscope to detect the presence of cancer cells and to determine what type they are.
Imaging tests: If your doctor is worried that your cancer has spread, they may use CT, PET and MRI scans to look for cancer in other places in your body.
Bone marrow biopsy: To check if cancer is in your bone marrow, your doctor may extract a sample from your hip bone to examine.
Molecular and genetic tests: The molecular changes, or “markers,” that signify non-Hodgkin lymphoma can be discovered in various tests. The results are useful for targeted and advanced personalized treatments.
Finding the most effective non-Hodgkin lymphoma treatments depends on the specifics of your situation, such as the stage and letter associated with your non-Hodgkin lymphoma diagnosis. Your age and state of health also factor into it. Here are some of the most common treatments for non-Hodgkin lymphoma:
Chemotherapy: The powerful drugs, the “chemo” in chemotherapy, target rapidly dividing cancer cells and kill them. It’s used for both Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin lymphomas and works on cancer cells anywhere in the body. It can be used alone or in combination with other treatments.
Radiation therapy: High-energy rays are targeted at specific areas where your cancer may be. It’s especially helpful when your non-Hodgkin lymphoma is localized. It’s often used following chemotherapy to kill any cells the drugs may have missed.
Immunotherapy: This relatively new therapy stimulates your immune system to identify and kill cancer cells. A lab-created protein, called a monoclonal antibody, binds to cancer cells so your body can attack them. It’s often used with chemotherapy in treating non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
Targeted therapy: This is another new therapy that works like chemotherapy, but is much more exact in targeting specific cancer genes and proteins. It also has fewer side effects. It’s especially helpful for non-Hodgkin lymphoma with clear markers, like follicular lymphoma.
Bone marrow transplant: Replacing your cancerous bone marrow with new healthy cells, often from stem cells, is an effective treatment. It can help people with aggressive non-Hodgkin lymphoma or non-Hodgkin lymphoma that has started growing after a period of remission. High-dose chemotherapy kills your diseased marrow before the transplant.
Active surveillance: If you have a very slow-growing non-Hodgkin lymphoma, doctors may want to wait and see how it develops. That way, they can devise the most effective treatment with the least negative side effects for you.
Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy: This type of immunotherapy involves genetically engineering your T-cells, which are grown specifically for you and your type of cancer. These cells attack your specific kind of non-Hodgkin lymphoma. This cutting-edge and expensive therapy is used for the most aggressive forms of non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
Life after a non-Hodgkin lymphoma diagnosis is changed forever. You can expect to go through waves of emotion as you deal with the physical effects of treatments. You will also need to handle the financial side of the disease.
Try to maintain your normal routines and devote time to the things and people that give you joy. Get as much help as you can. You don’t earn points by toughing it out alone. Turning to various non-Hodgkin lymphoma support resources can help you cope and achieve the best potential outcomes.
We invite you to learn more about caring for someone with non-Hodgkin lymphoma, and about the tools and support available to you. Various financial assistance programs and patient advocacy services can connect you with help dealing with bills and insurance. In some cases, you may have legal options for financial compensation.
Written by:
Lisa Merriam is an experienced copywriter specializing in medical content, combining technical precision with clarity to ensure articles are accessible and accurate.
Medical review by:
Dr. Sarmiento is a physician, consultant, and entrepreneur with a diverse background in surgery, public health, and business. His experience includes solving complex problems in healthcare and beyond, with a strong focus on personalized, preventive medicine.
Legal review by:
Sean Duddy is a seasoned attorney with a strong background in technology and litigation. He specializes in mass torts and class action cases. He is recognized for his innovative approach to legal challenges, having developed platforms to manage large-scale arbitrations and secure substantial settlements.
