could you help me, what wuold you think is the survival rate of some one that has.......refer to details pls?

Question

.....lymphoma....small and large cell....both forms are slow growing and aggesive forms........have been treated with chemo, radiation, stem cell transplant with own stem cells and now a stem cell transplant from a sibling and seem t be showing signs again of the lymphoma....i would appriciate your most honest take on this........question from someone in onatrio canada.thank you very very much

rituxan....had 4 "infusions" of that aswell....one a week for 4 weeks

Answer 1

I can share my survivorship story with you if that would help. This is my profile from Myspace. My site is listed below and it is dedicated to cancer survivorship and awareness. please read:

I was diagnosed with stage IIIA Hodgkin’s lymphoma in early 2004. Hearing it for the first time was a very surreal moment. I thought that the Doctor was talking about someone else at first, then I looked at the tear rolling down my wife’s face, and I knew it was me. I’ve always been a very active person; just six months before this, me and my two awesome kids (see my pics and videos) had earned our 1st Degree Black Belts in Tae Kwon Do. I’ve always been a fighter, and it was very hard to have to step back and go into treatment, but it was time fight a different fight. I was afraid, but I knew I would win this one, I knew I’d be fine.

I underwent six cycles of ABVD (chemo) and two additional cycles of ABV. (Those last two were without the Bleomycin, which has harsh side effects and has given me some difficulties.) Each cycle consists of 2 chemo treatments. I would get a treatment and wait two weeks to recover, then get another. I did have a mediport put in for the chemo. After all that, I underwent 40 cycle’s of radiation therapy, which was not as bad as the chemo. All this took a little over a year. (This is the short “clinical” version of the whole treatment experience.)

It’s been over two years since my last treatment and I’m doing well. I do get easily fatigued and a little short of breath now, (Bleomycin) but I’m doing good for 42 years young. I had a lot of family support and I tried to keep a positive attitude the entire time.

Right after my treatments, my oncologist explained to me that because of the advanced stage of my lymphoma at the time it was diagnosed, my chances of recurrence was about 60%. (60/40...I'll take it, I like my chances) He also said that the further out I get from my last treatment the lesser the chance of recurrence. My percentages would have been different of course if I were originally diagnosed at a lower stage. (And at a younger age too) I’ll be following up with CT scans and lab work and what ever else over the long term.

I don’t mind sharing my experience. There's been so much in a relatively short time; it sometimes overwhelms me to think back over it all. But I am continuing everyday to get better physically, mentally, and spiritually.

Answer 2

I had diffuse large B cell NHL. I had 6 rounds of CHOP with Rituxan. It's been three years and I still have no evidence of disease. My doctor says the agressive forms respond better to treatment than the slower-growing types. I saw several people during my treatment who were dealing with lymphoma multiple times. One lady was on her 6th bout with Lymphoma, but she was still in the game. So, I think anything is possible. Keep fighting, you are worth it!
Here's where you'll find the best info:
http://www.leukemia-lymphoma.org/hm_lls
Best wishes

Answer 3

In everyday language, 'survival rate' refers to a group of people, and what you want to know is the remaining life expectancy for an individual. They're two different questions and only the first can be answered statistically, looking back at group averages. No one including doctors can really answer the second.

Hospices have lots of experience with the difficulty of prediction. One patient may survive years beyond the 6-month US reimbursement limit, and another dies before diagnosis is even complete.

Have hope and look for joy and peace in the present moments.

Answer 4

There is the question of your age, young people do better than old people. My father in law had a non-Hodgkin small cell, mostly stayed under his skin, but after six years it went everywhere. Also, some markers are good, other are less good, like any cancer. It sounds like you have a good doctor if you had chemo and two transplants. What is he/she saying? I'm sure that your doctors are as frustrated as you are. Hang in there, and take one day at the time.

Answer 5

I am just wondering if you have had a trial of Rituxan and if they even have it in Canada.
I am sorry to say that if the MD says it is aggressive, the survival rate is not good. The pt must pursue treatment agressively now.