Chemotherapy for lymphoma is the main treatment. This is the use of special anti-cancer drugs that enter the bloodstream and affect the body systemically. The active substance covers all the affected areas of the lymphatic system, therefore it destroys even such cancer cells that have managed to spread. Chemotherapy is used alone or in combination with targeted, radiation or immunotherapy.
What types of chemotherapy are used for lymphoma?
Depending on the number of prescribed drugs, there are:
- monochemotherapy - treatment with one drug to which the tumor is most sensitive;
- polychemotherapy - several drugs are prescribed simultaneously or in a certain sequence.
As a rule, for lymphoma, doctors prescribe polychemotherapy, which includes 2 to 7 drugs.
What is High Dose Chemotherapy for Lymphoma?
If the examination shows that the lymphoma cancer cells are resistant to standard treatment protocols, doctors may prescribe high-dose chemotherapy. In this case, the patient is prescribed the same drugs, but in a much higher dosage.
What chemotherapy drugs are used to treat lymphoma?
According to American protocols, the doctor prescribes drugs according to a certain scheme, taking into account their principle of action.
Chemotherapy drugs for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma
For chemotherapy of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, there are 6 main groups of drugs:
- alkylating agents - Cyclophosphamide, Chlorambucil, Bendamustine, Ifosfamide;
- corticosteroids - Prednisolone, Dexamethasone;
- platinum drugs - Cisplatin, Carboplatin, Oxaliplatin;
- purine antagonists - Fludarabine, Pentostatin, Cladribine;
- antimetabolites - Cytarabine, Gemcitabine, Methotrexate, Pralatrexate;
- anthracyclines - Doxorubicin, Liposomal doxorubicin.
For complex chemotherapy of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, doctors prescribe several drugs from different groups to the patient. The most common combinations are CHOP (Cyclophosphamide, Doxorubicin, Vincristine, Prednisolone) and CVP (Cyclophosphamide, Vincristine, Prednisolone).
Chemotherapy drugs for Hodgkin's lymphoma
Commonly prescribed combinations of chemotherapy drugs for Hodgkin's lymphoma:
- ABVD - Adriamycin, Bleomycin, Vinblastine, Dacarbazine;
- BEACOPP - Bleomycin, Etoposide, Cyclophosphamide, Onkovin, Procarbazine, Prednisolone;
- Stanford V - Doxorubicin, Mechlorethamine, Vincristine, Vinblastine, Bleomycin, Etoposide, Prednisolone.
What examination is necessary to undergo for the selection of chemotherapy for lymphoma?
A comprehensive diagnostic program for the selection of chemotherapy for lymphoma includes:
- general and biochemical blood test;
- Ultrasound of lymph nodes and abdominal organs;
- CT or MRI;
- PET-CT;
- tumor biopsy and immunohistochemistry.
How many courses of chemotherapy are needed for lymphoma?
The number of courses and their duration depend on the forms of the disease and the drugs prescribed. According to American medical protocols, the patient needs to complete 2 to 8 courses.
How long does chemotherapy for lymphoma take?
Each course of chemotherapy lasts 2-4 weeks. This is followed by a break to allow the patient's body to recover. The average duration of treatment for lymphoma with chemotherapy is 6 to 12 months. The patient can either come to the clinic for a course, or purchase drugs and undergo treatment at home.
What are the consequences of chemotherapy for lymphoma?
After chemotherapy, the patient may experience the following side effects:
- nausea and vomiting,
- loss of appetite;
- weakness and fatigue;
- hair loss;
- diarrhea or constipation.
These effects are temporary and disappear a few days after the end of the course.
In high-dose chemotherapy for lymphoma, drugs can damage the bone marrow and its hematopoietic function, so the patient needs to undergo additional treatment.
Do I need additional treatment for lymphoma with chemotherapy?
Depending on the type and stage of lymphoma, chemotherapy is used alone or in combination with targeted, immuno- or radiation therapy. If a high concentration of chemotherapy drugs has damaged the patient's bone marrow, he needs a transplant that will restore hematopoietic function.
What determines the cost of chemotherapy for lymphoma?
The cost of chemotherapy for lymphoma depends on the chosen clinic, the stage of the disease, the drugs prescribed and the number of courses. You can find out the exact price after consulting a doctor.