Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma Treatment
Non-Hodgkin’s lymphomas are the generic name for a clinically, morphologically, immunophenotypically and cytogenetically very diverse group of lymphomas, including all lymphomas, except for “Hodgkin’s lymphoma” (lymphogranulomatosis). There are many varieties of NHL that differ in nature. Experts identify the following types of pathology: indolent (sluggish), that is, relatively slowly progressing even in the absence of specific treatment, and aggressive, that is, rapidly developing. Children and adolescents suffer almost exclusively from aggressive lymphomas, which determines the tactics of their treatment.
Treatment
The Israeli clinic Tel Aviv Medical Clinic employs highly qualified specialists who provide patients with professional and effective care. Our urology department is equipped with modern equipment, with the help of which it is possible to identify the disease at the initial stage. Each doctor in our department has the necessary knowledge and skills in the field of oncological pathologies. Our medical staff takes care of each patient and uses an individual approach to treatment. To make the correct diagnosis and choose a therapy strategy, we involve various narrow specialists. Thus, our patients receive a comprehensive approach to treatment, which is the most effective.
Aggressive lymphomas respond better to therapy than indolent lymphomas and in many cases can be completely cured, especially if diagnosed early. The main treatment for aggressive lymphomas is polychemotherapy, while radiation therapy and surgery are of secondary importance. This is because aggressive NHL is not a local, but a systemic process, and therefore therapy should be directed not so much to a specific affected area as to the body as a whole.
B-cell lymphomas, which include most lymphomas, are usually treated with several short, intensive courses of chemotherapy with high doses of chemotherapy. Intrathecal therapy is also performed to prevent damage to the central nervous system. In addition to cytostatic drugs, rituximab (Mabthera) has been successfully used in the therapy of B-cell NHL in recent years; this drug belongs to the class of monoclonal antibodies and provides a specific effect on B-lymphocytes.
Treatment of T-cell lymphoblastic lymphoma is very similar to the treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukaemia: courses of induction of remission and consolidation are carried out, courses of re-induction and intrathecal therapy are also used to treat and/or prevent damage to the central nervous system. Intensive hospital treatment is followed by a long phase of supportive care.