Hi there! Thank you for seeking a second opinion here. The treatment choice for Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL) depends on GRADE of the tumour, stage ( it will be calculated on the number of nodes involved), histology (the type of Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma which will be determined using a microscope, symptoms, performance status (ECOG - a performance status is an attempt to quantify cancer patients’ general well-being and activities of daily life), age and omorbidities.

There are 2 grades of Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma; high grade and low grade. The treatment options are different for both. For low grade, treatment is usually started right away and for high grade, a watch and wait strategy sometimes employed. This is because in high grade lymphoma, early treatment does not necessarily prolong survival.

The treatment options available are:

1. Corticosteroids

2. Chemotherapy

3. Alkylating agents (eg Cyclophosphamide, Doxorubicin) – they are anti-cancer drugs that are sometimes used with chemotherapy.

4. Targeted agents (eg. PI3K inhibitors, BTK inhibitors) - Inhibits key cancer growth pathways in the cancer cells.

5. Monoclonal antibodies (eg. Rituximab – anti CD20) - Inhibits the immune tolerance of the cancer and turns up the immune response to the cancer cells.

6. Radiotherapy

7. High dose therapy and stem cell transplantation (is rarely used as initial treatment in lymphoma, but mostly to consolidate a second or subsequent remission)

All types of lymphomas are extremely RADIOSENSITIVE. What this mean is all lymphomas respond well to radiotherapy (a therapy using radiation control or kill cancer cells). The dose of radiotherapy depends on histology, risk and on intent of treatment. To answer your question, the survival rate of NHL depends on the grade.

For low grade NHL the median survival is 8-10 years where for high grade NHL it had 40% 5 year survival rate. The survival rate is also determined by the factors mentioned above. Control of the disease is achieved using the treatment options mentioned above as well.

Please click on this link (DoctorOnCall) to talk to us privately online and discuss further about your inquiries. Thank you.