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Access Advanced Lymphoma Cancer Care

Lymphoma Cancer Treatment

Focused on your needs — from diagnosis to cancer management

If you are diagnosed with lymphoma, you and your loved ones will have many questions. You can rely on the expertise and experience of the blood cancer hematologists, oncologists and other dedicated lymphoma specialists at Novant Health Cancer Institute to put you at ease. We’ll quickly identify your specific cancer type and develop a personalized treatment plan using the latest lymphoma treatments and clinical trials.

What is Lymphoma cancer?

One of the most common types of cancers, lymphomas account for about 6% of all cancers. Lymphomas are cancers that affect blood cells called lymphocytes, which protect your body from infections and control inflammation. Lymphocytes can build in your bloodstream, bone marrow and organs but most commonly affect the lymph nodes located throughout your body. There are two primary kinds of Lymphoma:

Hodgkin lymphoma, also called Hodgkin disease
Non-Hodgkin lymphoma

There are dozens of subtypes of lymphoma, so having a physician who specializes in this cancer type can lead to better care for you. Knowing what type of lymphoma cancer you have is important to ensure you receive the best results for your condition. Your treatment plan may include chemotherapy, radiation therapy, cellular immunotherapy and stem cell transplantation.

Hodgkin Lymphoma

This is a rare subtype of lymphoma that usually affects people in their 20s or their 70s. Fortunately, this is a highly curable type of cancer when appropriate care is delivered timely.

Hodgkin Lymphoma symptoms

The most common symptom of Hodgkin lymphoma is enlarged (swollen) lymph nodes, found in the neck, upper chest, armpit, abdomen or groin. The swollen lymph node is usually painless. Other Hodgkin lymphoma symptoms may include:

• Drenching night sweats
• Sudden weight loss
• Unexplained fever
• Persistent fatigue
• Cough and shortness of breath (due to enlarged lymph nodes in the chest)
• Itchy skin, especially after bathing or drinking alcohol
• Decreased appetite
• Abdominal pain or swelling and feeling of fullness (due to an enlarged spleen)
• Occasional pain in lymph nodes after drinking alcohol

Hodgkin Lymphoma treatment

To diagnose Hodgkin lymphoma, we’ll start with a biopsy of the enlarged lymph node, followed by blood tests, imaging tests and/or blood marrow tests. Your hematologist and oncologist will work with you to develop an individualized treatment plan that best meets your needs. Treatment for lymphomas may include:

• Chemotherapy or other drug therapies
• Radiation therapy
• Cellular immunotherapy
• Stem cell transplantation
• Clinical trials, when available

Non-Hodgkin Lymphomas

Non-Hodgkin Lymphomas are more common than Hodgkin lymphoma. There are over 50 subtypes of non-Hodgkin lymphomas, including aggressive and slow-growing (indolent) types. Non-Hodgkin lymphoma can affect people at any age and may take years to be diagnosed. Given the many subtypes and specific treatments for each, having a lymphoma specialist by your side is important to make sure you get the best outcomes.

Non-Hodgkin symptoms

Common symptoms of Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma include:

Painless swelling in one or more lymph nodes
Unexplained fever
Drenching night sweats
Persistent fatigue
Loss of appetite
Weight loss
Cough or chest pain
Abdominal pain
Sensation of bloating or fullness (due to an enlarged spleen)
Itchy skin
Enlargement of the spleen or liver
Rashes or skin lumps

Hodgkin treatment

Your individualized treatment plan will depend on multiple factors, including the subtype and stage of your lymphoma, your age, symptoms and other health factors. Your treatment plan at Novant Health Cancer Institute may include:

• Chemotherapy or other drug therapies
• Radiation therapy
• Cellular immunotherapy
• Stem cell transplantation
• Watch and wait approach
• Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy
• Clinical trials, when available

Our lymphoma specialists are here for you

From diagnosis to management, our blood cancer doctors at the Novant Health Cancer Institute have the experience and expertise to treat all types of blood cancers at locations across North Carolina. These include the many different sub-types of lymphomas.

Your team of lymphoma specialists will use their years of experience along with the most advanced diagnostic and cancer-fighting tools available to deliver the quality care you deserve. Our multi-disciplinary team of specialists meet weekly to review your treatment options and progress. Your team typically includes members with expertise in:

• Medical oncology 
• Radiation oncology 
• Pathology 
• Mental health 
• Nutrition 
• Symptom management
• Cellular immunotherapy  
• Stem cell transplantation

You’re Entitled to a Second Opinion.

Are you concerned or confused about a cancer diagnosis or treatment recommendation you've received?

Another perspective on your case and options can give you some peace of mind. Reach out for a virtual session or in-person consultation.

Experience the Future of Cancer Care, Today.

Novant Health is one of the first cancer centers in the Carolinas to Tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte (TIL) therapy. TIL is a new, FDA-approved treatment that uses naturally occurring immune cells to help you fight melanoma when other treatments haven’t worked.

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