Recent Feedback
Hi Dr David, It's Val again. Currently I have cemotherapy for early stage of limpfoma. I was ask my doctor to include radio therapy also. My question is: It is better to get the two treatments together, or this will be unncesary over treatment if my limpfoma responding well to cemotherapy. Which will be indicators for this, and how quickli is the normal time forthe enlarged limpf glen to shrink completely?
Optional Information: Person's Age: 62 Already Tried: First corse of cemotherapy
Hello, this is Dr. David. I have read your question and am ready to help.
the best treatment for lymphoma would be sequential therapy of chemotherapy followed by a short course of radiation therapy
chemotherapy and radiation are not given together for lymphoma
it is one followed by the other
a treatment plan is devised to best treat your lymphoma prior to start of therapy so we don't do scans during the therapy.
your lymphoma will shrink well with chemotherapy and could basically disappear
the radiation afterwards is sort of like more of an insurance policy to further decrease the chances of the lymphoma coming back in the location
Experience: Experienced Oncology Physician, Trained in NYC, Ready to help.
Dr David, what is the indications for good , normal, or slow respond to the treatment.How quickly the limpf glen in the neck normaly shrink with cemotherapy?And is this is the only indication for succes?
the lymphoma in the neck can shrink quickly with chemotherapy.if the lymphoma is gone on PET scan after 2 cycles of chemotherapy this is the fastest and best response possible. you will would need radiation but your chances of being free of lymhoma recurrences are highest with this.if the lymphoma is gone on PET scan after 4 cycles of chemotherapy this is considered average response. if the lymphoma is gone on PET after 6 cycles, this is considered a slow reponsive lymphoma.