Lymph Cancer Treatment Options
Lymphoma is a type of cancer that affects lymph nodes. It’s also known as Hodgkin’s disease or non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
Lymphoma is a cancer that starts in the cells of the immune system called lymphocytes. The most common form of lymphoma is Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL). NHL is a group of cancers that affect the lymphatic system.
The first line of defense against lymphoma is early detection
Early detection is key to successful treatment. If detected early, lymphoma has a high cure rate. However, if not treated, lymphoma can spread throughout the body and become more difficult to treat.
There are two main types of treatment options available for lymphoma patients
Radiation therapy uses radiation beams to kill cancer cells. This method is used to treat lymphomas that have been diagnosed at an early stage. Chemotherapy uses drugs to destroy cancer cells. This method works well when treating lymphomas that have spread to other parts of the body.
Radiation therapy is one option
Radiation therapy is often combined with chemotherapy to improve treatment outcomes. In some cases, surgery is performed to remove the affected lymph node(s). If the cancer has not spread outside the lymph nodes, then radiation therapy alone might be sufficient.
Chemotherapy is another option
Chemotherapy uses drugs to kill cancer cells. This treatment is usually given by injection into a vein (intravenously) or through an IV catheter.
Surgery may be an option too
If chemotherapy isn’t effective, surgery may be used to remove the affected lymph node(s). In some cases, radiation therapy may be used instead of surgery. Radiation therapy uses high energy x-rays to destroy cancer cells.