Lymphoma Program

Why Choose Us?

The Lymphoma Program offers every patient a dedicated team of medical experts to support them, and their family, throughout their cancer journey. The multidisciplinary team meets daily to discuss each patient’s needs, their progress and to decide the best, most patient-friendly treatment plan.

What We Treat

Lymphoma is cancer of the lymphatic system, which is a part of the body’s immune system, and includes the lymph nodes, thymus gland, spleen, and bone marrow. The main types of lymphoma are called Hodgkin lymphoma and non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

Hodgkin Lymphoma: A cancer that affects the lymphatic system, which is part of the body’s immune system, and is one of the most curable forms of cancer.

Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma: Is not one disease but rather a diverse group of blood cancers originating in the lymphocytes. The disease can develop in one or multiple sites in the body and can either be slow or fast-growing depending on the sub-type.

Types of lymphoma that we treat include: 

• Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma 
• Primary mediastinal B-cell lymphoma 
• Mantle cell lymphoma 
• Follicular lymphoma 
• Marginal zone lymphoma 
• T-cell lymphoma 
• Anaplastic large cell lymphoma 
• Central nervous system lymphoma 
• Burkitt lymphoma 
• Cutaneous B-cell lymphoma 
• Cutaneous T-cell lymphoma 
• Waldenstrom Macroglobulinemia 
• Others.

Symptoms, Causes & Risk Factors

Symptoms of Lymphoma

Symptoms of lymphoma may include: 

• Swelling of the lymph nodes in your neck, groin or armpit  
• Persistent tiredness  
• Fever 
• Night sweats 
• Shortness of breath 
• Unexplained weight loss  
• Cough or chest pain 
• Itchy skin 

Causes & Risk Factors of Lymphoma

Doctors don’t really know what causes lymphoma, but it happens when a white blood cell called a lymphocyte (which usually fights infection) develops a genetic mutation. This causes the cell to multiply rapidly and allows it to go on living when normal cells would usually die, leading to many diseased and ineffective lymphocytes in the lymph nodes and causing them, the spleen and liver to swell. 

Things that can increase your risk of lymphoma include:

• Age: Some types are more common in young adults (age 15 to 40) and others in people over the age of 55. 
  
• Gender: Men have a slightly increased risk. 
  
• Certain viruses: Epstein-Barr virus, HIV, and helicobacter pylori infection are associated with an increased risk. 

Diagnosis & Treatment

Diagnosis of Lymphoma 

Diagnosing lymphoma can involve a number of tests and procedures, including: 

• Physical examination  
• Blood tests
• Lymph node biopsies 
• Bone marrow biopsies

Imaging scans, including: 

• CT scan 
• MRI scan 
• PET scan 
• X-ray 
• Ultrasound 

Treatment of Lymphoma 

After a diagnosis has been confirmed, the team will decide on the most effective treatment plan, based on several factors including the type of lymphoma you have, the stage of the lymphoma and your overall health. Treatment may include: 

• Immune therapy: The use of monoclonal antibodies to target the cancer cells. 
  
• Targeted therapy: Using new drugs to target specific mutation on cancer cells. 
  
• Chemotherapy: The use of anticancer drugs, sometimes in combination, to stop the growth of cancer cells.  
  
• Stem cell transplantation: Infusing healthy blood-forming stem cells, collected from the bone marrow, circulating blood or umbilical cord blood, into the body. 
  
• Cellular therapy: Using modified immune cells to fight cancer. 
  
• Radiation therapy: Given to destroy cancer cells or to relieve pain or discomfort.  

Prevention & Screening

Researchers are still unsure how to prevent lymphoma. Most people with the disease have no preventable risk factors, meaning there is no way to prevent the disease.  

However, being aware of the symptoms may be helpful. Following a healthy lifestyle, eating a balanced diet and taking regular exercise can reduce your chances of developing many types of cancer.

Program Caregivers

Our Lymphoma Program doctors have extensive expertise in the field of lymphoma and are board certified medical oncology specialties. The team provides excellent, Patients First medical care based on current United States and international guidelines. Caregivers involved in patient care for this program include: 

• Consultant physicians in hematology and oncology 
• Pharmacists 
• Nurses 
• Pathologists 
• Radiologists 
• Radiation therapists 
• Social Workers 
• Case Managers 
• Physical therapists 
• Infectious diseases specialists 
• Cardiologists 
• Nephrologists 
• Patient coordinators 
• Patient educators.