what is the prognosis of non hodgkin lymphoma?

Answer 1

It depends entirely on two things: first, which TYPE of Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma you have (slow or fast-growing) and what stage it is in when it's diagnosed. I had the Fast-growing type, and it was at stage three, (three out of four) when I was diagnosed, and I was treated and am now in remission for the fourth year.

Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma is one of the most curable cancers. But doctors won't give you a "prognosis" because cancer treatment is dependent on many things, including your own attitude! Keep a very positive outlook. Believe you will be cured. As dumb as this may sound, it's very helpful. I had chemotherapy (C.H.O.P. treatments) and monoclonal antibodies; afterwards, I was treated for the anemia with Procrit. It wasn't so bad--yes, I lost my hair, and I was very tired and I lost a lot of weight, and there were side-effects, but generally they weren't as bad as the cancer, which was very very painful and scary.

There's a nice support group on Yahoo Groups for Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma. Good luck and best wishes to you.

Answer 2

There are 2 main types of lymphomas. Hodgkin lymphoma (also known as Hodgkin's lymphoma, Hodgkin disease, or Hodgkin's disease) is named after Dr. Thomas Hodgkin, who first described it as a new disease in 1832. All other types of lymphoma are called non-Hodgkin lymphomas.

These 2 types of lymphoma can usually be distinguished from each other by examining the cancerous tissue under a microscope. In some cases, more tests to identify specific chemical components of the lymphoma cells may be needed. Hodgkin disease is discussed in a separate American Cancer Society document.

Lymphoid Tissue

Lymphoid tissue is formed by several types of immune system cells that work together mainly to resist infections. Lymphoid tissue is found in many places throughout the body.
Although this lymphoma isn’t curable, most patients live longer than 5 years.

The outlook for people with this condition is poor. But about 30% to 50% of people can live at least 5 years with today's treatmentThis group has no other name. Most patients with this form are in their 60s. The lymphoma tends to be widespread and grows quickly. Cells can be small or large. Few patients survive 5 years.About 1% to 2% of lymphomas are this kind. The cells are large. It is more common in young people, but it does occur in patients in their 50s and 60s. It usually starts in lymph nodes and can also spread to skin. There is also a form that begins in the skin. Although this type of lymphoma appears to be a fast growing, treatment with chemotherapy often works well. Many patients with this lymphoma are cured.

Answer 3

It totally depends on the type of lymphoma (there are low grade, intermediate and high grade types), the stage of disease, your age and other factors. The outcomes are very different for different individual situations but most lymphomas are currently very treatable. Yahoo Answers and many other places on the web are terrible places to get an answer to this type of question but the Leukemia/Lymphoma website (http://www.leukemia-lymphoma.org/hm_lls ) does provide some useful information. Far and away the best thing you can do is to have a good discussion with a specialist or two (a Hematologist or Oncologist) at a reputable treatment center.

Answer 4

I am forever the optomist. I think a lot depends on the stage of the disease when it is discovered, the age of the pt and other co-morbidities (health problems like heart dissease, diabetes, kidney problems etc...
Sometimes non hodgkins is so aggressive, it has a very poor prognosis, I have also seen pts go into remission and stay there for 5-6 years.

Answer 5

The slow growing form is almost always fatal, but can take several years to reach its final outcome & can be treated again & again.

The fast growing type is highly treatable & often has a good outcome, which is why they treat it into the fourth stage. It can be treated w/chemo, radiation, and monoclonal antibodies. The monoclonal antibodies are truly miracles - I think it's called Rituximab. I had Neupogen to build up the white cells after chemo.

I was diagnosed at stage four (5-1/2 years ago) w/metasases to the pelvis & spine. I wasn't diagnosed until my hip broke in three places! 'm still in remission - it wasn't an easy trip , but I'm still kicking.

Also make sure you keep an eye out for depression, which can be debilitating and get meds, if necessary. Good luck!

Answer 6

depends on age of patient and how far abvanced, my mom died in march this year, she'd been having stomach problems for about 2 years was treated for gastrointesinidus, pain go so bad we took her to Wake Forest Medical Center here in north carolina,they found she had non hodgkins lymphoma, they did a biopcy and found it was on every major organ in her body, the doctor said if she didnt have cemo she would die before Easter my mom was 79, she had parkinson and was very weak already, she dicided not to take cemo, she died March 22,they found it Jan 15th

Answer 7

that's a tough one to battle.
You'll need to go through heavy chemotherapy.

lymphomas tend to spread like wildfire. This about as bad as leukemia.

Answer 8

poor