Treatment for non-Hodgkin lymphoma

When planning your treatment, your doctor will consider the type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma you have, the stage, your age and general health, and your preferences.

The aim of treatment is to reduce or get rid of all signs and symptoms of the lymphoma. This is called remission. Remission may last for a long period of time and most people have a good quality of life. Sometimes non-Hodgkin lymphoma becomes active again and further treatment is required.

Learn more about:

• Treatment options
• Making treatment decisions
• What to do before treatment starts
• Watchful waiting
• Chemotherapy
• Steroid therapy
• Targeted therapy
• Radiation therapy
• Late effects of treatment
• Stem cell transplant
• Palliative treatment

Treatment options

Treatment will depend on the type of B-cell or T-cell lymphoma and how fast the lymphoma is growing (the grade).

Low-grade (slow-growing or indolent) lymphoma – You may not need treatment straightaway but have regular check-ups (watchful waiting). If a change or growth in the cancer is causing symptoms or other warning signs, your doctor will recommend treatment.

Intermediate-grade and high-grade (fast-growing or aggressive) lymphoma – You may need to be treated quickly. The main treatment option is chemotherapy.

Relapsed or refractory non-Hodgkin lymphoma – If lymphoma comes back after treatment (relapsed) or does not respond to treatment (refractory), you may be offered drug therapies (such as targeted therapy or immunotherapy) or a stem cell transplant.

Podcast: Making Treatment Decisions

Listen to more episodes from our podcast for people affected by cancer