Lymphoma Diagnosis and Treatment
At Orange County Radiation Oncology, once lymphoma has been diagnosed, our specialists may order diagnostic testing and imaging to help determine the stage and extent of the disease. It is very important to do a comprehensive lymphoma work-up to carefully evaluate the extent of the cancer.
- Medical history and physical exam
- Lymph node biopsy and molecular assessment
- Blood tests and tumor markers
- Bone marrow aspiration and biopsy
- Chest x-ray
- MRI scan
- CT scan
- PET imaging
- Ultrasound
- Bone scan
- Lumbar puncture
- Pleural or peritoneal fluid sampling
Depending on the type and stage (severity) of the lymphoma, the following treatments may be necessary. At Orange County Radiation Oncology, we use the most advanced therapies available to treat lymphoma. An individualized plan of care may include multiple types of treatments.
Types of treatment for lymphoma include the following:
Radiation – Any remaining cancer cells left after surgery are destroyed with high-energy radiation beams. For some lymphomas, treating with chemotherapy at the same time can make radiation therapy work better. It is possible to receive radiation therapy before, during or after surgical intervention. Also, when surgery is not possible, radiation can be used to help slow the growth of the tumor.
Chemotherapy – Chemotherapy (chemo) are anti-cancer drugs that may be given intravenously (injected into your vein) or by mouth. The drugs travel through the bloodstream to reach cancer cells in most parts of the body. Chemotherapy can sometimes be given before, during or after surgery. At Orange County Radiation Oncology, our team provide extensive education and supportive care through your therapy. Chemotherapy is the hallmark treatment for lymphoma.
Targeted Treatments – Targeted drugs work differently from chemo drugs. They sometimes work when chemo drugs don’t, and they often have different side effects. They can be used either along with chemotherapy or by themselves if chemotherapy is no longer working. Targeted treatment options are determined by further genetic testing of the tumor cells. This type of testing is usually done on the biopsied tissue of the tumor cells.
Immunotherapy – Immunotherapy is the use of medicines to help a person’s own immune system better recognize and destroy cancer cells. Immunotherapy can be used to treat some people with advanced lymphomas.
