Your GP will arrange the first tests to assess your symptoms. If these tests do not rule out cancer, you will usually be referred to a specialist, such as a haematologist or medical oncologist. The specialist will arrange further tests to work out if you have non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
If non-Hodgkin lymphoma is diagnosed, the specialist will consider your treatment options. Often these will be discussed with other health professionals at what is known as a multidisciplinary team (MDT) meeting. During and after treatment, you will see a range of health professionals who specialise in different areas of your care.
Health professionals you may see
| haematologist* | diagnoses and treats diseases of the blood, bone marrow and lymphatic system; prescribes chemotherapy, immunotherapy and other drug therapies; conducts stem cell transplants and CAR T-cell therapy |
| medical oncologist* | treats cancer with chemotherapy and other drugs such as targeted therapy; in some cases, may be the main treating specialist instead of a haematologist |
| radiation oncologist* | treats cancer by prescribing and overseeing a course of radiation therapy |
| radiation therapist | plans and delivers radiation therapy |
| cancer care coordinator | coordinates care, liaises with other members of the MDT and supports you and family throughout treatment; care may also be coordinated by a clinical nurse consultant (CNC) or clinical nurse specialist (CNS) |
| nurse or nurse practitioner | administers chemotherapy and other drugs; provides care, information and support throughout treatment |
| social worker | links you to support services and helps you with emotional, practical and financial issues |
| counsellor, psychologist | help you manage your emotional response to diagnosis and treatment |
| pharmacist | dispenses medicines and gives advice about dosage and side effects |
| dietitian | helps with nutrition concerns and recommends changes to diet during treatment and recovery |
| palliative care specialists* and nurses | work closely with your GP and cancer specialists to help control symptoms and maintain quality of life |
* Specialist doctor
Key resource
Download a PDF booklet on this topic.
More resources
A/Prof Christina Brown, Haematologist, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital; Khaled Aly, Consumer; Kevin Bloom, Senior Social Worker, Haematology and Bone Marrow Transplant, Royal North Shore Hospital; Katrina Debosz, CAR-T and Lymphoma Nurse Practitioner, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital; Dr Samuel Dickson, Radiation Oncologist, Calvary Mater Newcastle; Dr Wojt Janowski, Haematologist, Calvary Mater Newcastle; Yvonne King, 13 11 20 Consultant, Cancer Council NSW; Karen Maddock, Blood Transplant and Cell Therapy Nurse Practitioner, Westmead Hospital; Sheridan Wellings, Consumer.
View the Cancer Council NSW editorial policy.
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