Lymphoma Radiation Therapy

Radiation treatment is sometimes used to address lymphoma cells that have accumulated in a certain area of a patient’s body. In most cases, radiation treatment is combined with other therapies, such as chemotherapy, because lymphoma develops in white blood cells (lymphocytes) and tends to travel through the immune system instead of remaining in a single area of the body. Therefore, while targeted treatments like radiation therapy can be helpful for treating large masses and swollen lymph nodes, systemic treatment is usually necessary for both Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

For these reasons, a combination of radiation therapy and chemotherapy is usually the preferred treatment approach for early-stage lymphoma. Through this type of multispecialty therapy, a patient can benefit from the targeted delivery of high-energy X-rays to shrink identifiable masses of lymphoma cells, as well as the systemic delivery of chemotherapy drugs to reach lymphoma cells located in distant areas throughout his or her body.

When is radiation therapy used to treat lymphoma?

The specific treatment regimen created for a patient, and whether or not it will include lymphoma radiation therapy, is determined based on several factors:

• The subtype and stage of the patient’s lymphoma
• Whether the condition is relapsed (after remission) or refractory (after initial treatment)/li>
• A patient’s overall health condition, including any co-existing conditions like anemia, diabetes or heart, lung or kidney disease
• Whether a patient is pregnant

Moffitt Cancer Center’s Malignant Hematology Program has a multispecialty team of experts in wide-ranging disciplines who focus on providing comprehensive lymphoma treatment and supportive care to assist patients and their families with the various physical, emotional and psychological aspects of a cancer journey. Starting a lymphoma radiation treatment regimen is an important step that can help a patient focus on moving forward toward recovery. 

If you’d like to learn more about lymphoma radiation treatment options, the experts at Moffitt can provide detailed information that is customized to your unique situation. Call 1-888-663-3488 or complete a new patient registration form online. We see patients with and without referrals.