Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma treatment at GenesisCare

Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma is cancer of the lymphatic system. According to Cancer Research UK, around 14,000 people are diagnosed with the condition each year in the UK, and it is the sixth most common type of cancer among adults. However, early diagnosis and treatment can result in a positive outcome for many. 

We are the UK’s leading specialist private cancer care provider. By choosing us, you can be reassured that your treatment will be managed by a team of specialists working together with you to decide the best personalised care plan for your diagnosis. 

It is our commitment to offering world-class care to every patient with cancer. 

There are a number of options of treatment available for non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma at GenesisCare, such as:  

• Chemotherapy – anti-cancer (cytotoxic) drugs which destroy the cancerous cells 
• Targeted therapy – a specialised group of drugs that attack or block certain processes in the cancer cells, causing them to die  
• Immunotherapy – therapies that help your body’s immune system recognise and fight the cancer 
• Radiotherapy – high-energy radiation beams which are targeted at the cancer cells 
• Surgery – removal of a lymph node for further testing or to manage the cancer’s effect on other organs 
• Transplants – replace abnormal blood cells and damaged stem cells 

 At GenesisCare, we diagnose and treat a wide range of cancers, and we understand that this can be a very worrying time. Our diagnostic services are world-class, and our commitment is to give you the answers you need, as quickly as possible. It’s important to remember that symptoms can often be caused by conditions other than non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Whatever your diagnosis, we can make sure you get the expert care you need and without delay. 

If you’re concerned about non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma symptoms, we offer fast access to specialist non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma tests and diagnostics. We also offer a dedicated Rapid Access Haematology Service at some of our centres. Here you’ll see one of our expert consultants who specialise in blood and bone marrow cancers. They’ll assess your symptoms and, if necessary, refer you for diagnostic tests such as core biopsy, blood tests, X-ray and CT scanning. Appointments are usually available within 24 hours. 

The most common symptom of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma is a painless swelling in a lymph node, often in the armpit, groin or neck. 

Other signs can include: 

• Abdominal pain 
• Fever 
• Breathlessness 
• Fatigue 
• Unexplained weight loss 
• Itchy skin  
• Sweating throughout the night 

If you have any concerns, you should seek medical advice or book an appointment through our Rapid Access Haematology Service. 

Our centres have all received the Macmillan Quality Environment Mark to reflect the high quality of care we provide for people living with cancer. 

There are different types of drug treatments, also called systemic anti-cancer therapies. Our expert teams continually review and assess new treatments to make these available to GenesisCare patients as early as possible. 

Chemotherapy for non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma 

Chemotherapy uses cytotoxic (anti-cancer) drugs to destroy cancer cells. Chemotherapy is the most common non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma treatment. It may be delivered on its own or in combination with other treatments, such as radiotherapy (chemoradiation) or steroids. 

If initial treatment doesn’t improve your condition, you may have a course of high-dose chemotherapy. Although intensive chemotherapy can successfully treat non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, you’ll need to have a stem cell or bone marrow transplant alongside this treatment. 

Targeted therapy for non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma 

Targeted (also called biological) therapies are a specialised group of drugs that are designed to attack or block certain processes in cancer cells that tumours depend on to survive and grow. Monoclonal antibodies (MABs) are the primary type of targeted therapy for non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and work by encouraging your body’s immune system to attack and destroy the lymphoma cells.  

Other targeted therapies, such as tyrosine kinase inhibitors, Bcl-2 inhibitors and PI3k inhibitors, can be used in combination with each other to either control or kill lymphoma cells. 

You may need to continue targeted maintenance therapy for several years after your cancer is in remission. Your doctor will explain this in more detail to you.  

Immunotherapy for non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma 

Immunotherapies work by helping your body’s immune system to recognise and fight the cancer. CAR–T cell therapy uses modified immune cells from your own blood as a cell infusion to treat relapsed non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Your haematologists will perform this treatment in collaboration with other specialists at one of our partner hospitals.  

Palliative care 

If your cancer has become resistant to treatment or recurred, it’s called advanced or relapsed non-Hodgkin lymphoma. At GenesisCare, you can receive palliative drug treatment for advanced non-Hodgkin lymphoma to reduce your cancer’s progress and ease any symptoms.  

Personalised medicine 

For some advanced cancers, we use specialist tests, such as liquid biopsy or genomic testing, to understand the genetic make-up of cancer cells. This helps us to identify which drugs are available to work against the particular genetic mutations in a cancer, allowing us to start effective treatment without delay. 

Clinical trials  

There may be opportunities to access clinical trials for the newest treatments for non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Clinical trials can be considered a suitable treatment option if you’ve exhausted standard therapies or evidence suggests the trial treatment will be more successful at treating your condition. Your haematologist will discuss these opportunities in more detail with you.  

Drug treatment side effects 

No treatment is without side effects. Your doctor will explain these to you depending on your drug treatment, together with the ways your treatment plan and supportive care can help to manage or minimise these. 

Volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) is a modern radiotherapy technique that directs beams of radiation in an arc across the treatment area. Together with surface-guided radiotherapy (SGRT), it’s possible to precisely target areas of cancer, adjusting the beam and intensity of the radiation dose to allow for movements in the body and avoid healthy tissues. Side effects of radiotherapy occur when healthy tissues receive radiation, so using this technique helps to limit the dose to tissues and organs surrounding the tumour. At GenesisCare, we offer VMAT wherever possible because it is widely recognised to be the highest standard of care currently available for patients needing this type of radiotherapy. 

Total body irradiation (TBI) delivers radiation to your whole body and is used to help kill unwanted bone marrows cells, prior to a bone marrow or stem cell transplant.  

We offer palliative VMAT radiotherapy for patients with advanced non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, where it has spread outside the lymph nodes and throughout the body, to improve pain management and increase mobility. We understand that fast access to palliative care is paramount and can usually provide treatment within 48 hours of a planning imaging scan. 

Transplants are often used to replace damaged stem cells in your bone marrow following high-dose chemotherapy for non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. If your consultant recommends a transplant, this can be arranged conveniently at one of our partner hospitals.  

Stem cells are early types of cells which are found in your bone marrow and can develop into red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets.  

Stem cell transplants are more commonly used than bone marrow transplants when treating non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. You may have an allogeneic stem cell transplant, where the stem cells are from a donor, or an autologous stem cell transplant, where the stem cells are collected from your body before treatment.  

Your consultant may suggest a transplant for non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma if your condition: 

• Is in remission but is likely to come back 
• Is in second remission 
• Hasn’t responded to other treatments 

No treatment is without side effects. Your doctor will explain these to you, together with the ways your treatment plan and supportive care can help manage or minimise these. 

Exercise medicine is a personalised programme of carefully planned and supported physical activity that has been shown to improve outcomes for cancer patients, enhancing quality of life and limiting the impact of cancer, such as by improving strength and reducing fatigue. One of our physiotherapists specialising in exercise for people living with cancer will provide a 12-week programme tailored to your needs and supported by our dedicated GenesisCare Exercise Medicine app. They’ll work closely with you to monitor changes in your health and support you throughout the programme to help you get the best results. This is available at selected GenesisCare centres. 

We also offer a wellbeing expert and holistic therapies such as counselling, acupuncture, massage and reflexology through our unique partnership with the Penny Brohn UK charity. This service is available to all non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma patients at any of our 14 UK centres.  

Our dedicated cancer centres are convenient and easy-to-access. You can use your private medical insurance, and we’re recognised by all leading insurers. 

Throughout the COVID-19 outbreak, our priority is to continue providing the very best cancer care. We have meticulous measures in place to ensure our patients receive the treatments they need safely and without delay. You can find out more about our COVID-19 safety measures here. 

We are proud that so many patients rate our care as excellent as we help them through their cancer journey. Find out more about the unique experiences of people who have had their cancer diagnosis or treatment at GenesisCare in our patient stories section.