Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma

Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma is a type of cancer. Lymphoma is a general term for cancers that develop in the lymphatic system. Hodgkin's disease is one type of lymphoma. All other lymphomas are grouped together and are called non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Lymphomas account for about 5 percent of all cases of cancer in the United States.

Preparing for treatment

Many people with cancer want to learn all they can about their disease and their treatment choices so they can take an active part in decisions about their medical care. When a person is diagnosed with cancer, shock and stress are natural reactions. These feelings may make it difficult for people to think of everything they want to ask the doctor. Often, it helps to make a list of questions. To help remember what the doctor says, patients may take notes or ask whether they may use a tape recorder. Some people also want to have a family member or friend with them when they talk to the doctor -- to take part in the discussion, to take notes, or just to listen.

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These are some questions a patient may want to ask the doctor before treatment begins:

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• What kind of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma do I have?
• What is the stage of the disease?
• What are my treatment choices? Which do you recommend for me? Why?
• What are the risks and possible side effects of each treatment?
• What side effects should I report to you?
• How long will treatment last?
• What are the chances that the treatment will be successful?
• Will treatment affect my normal activities? If so, for how long?
• Are new treatments under study? Would a clinical trial be appropriate for me?
• What is the treatment likely to cost?

Patients do not need to ask all their questions or remember all the answers at one time. They will have other chances to ask the doctor to explain things and to get more information.

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