If you have non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, you'll have a lot of help to make sure you get the best possible care. Your team of doctors, nurses, and other health care pros will treat more than your body. You can turn to them for emotional and mental health issues, too.
There are over 60 different kinds of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, and your treatment depends on which one you have. Together, your team will find out the type and stage of your cancer. Then, they'll work closely with you to come up with a treatment plan.
Your Treatment Team
Depending on your needs, you may see some of these experts:
Hematologist. This doctor tests and treats blood diseases, including non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. They can help figure out which type of cancer you have and which treatment is best.
Medical oncologist. They're specialist who treats cancer with drugs. If you get chemotherapy -- one of the most common treatments for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma -- you'll work closely with one.
Often, either a medical oncologist or hematologist will head your care team.
Neuro-oncologist. This type of doctor focuses on cancers that cause problems with the nervous system. If your illness affects your brain and spine, they may be on your team.
Radiation oncologist. They treat cancer with radiation, a common therapy for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.
Surgical oncologist. You'll see them if you need surgery to treat your cancer. It's not the most common treatment for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, but it's used in some cases.
More often, surgery is done for some types of biopsies. Doctors remove a lymph node or other tissue to test which type of cancer you have.
Oncology nurse. They have advanced training in caring for people with cancer. They may:
- Give you chemotherapy, as directed by your medical oncologist
- Manage the details of your care, from making appointments to handling insurance problems
- Teach you and your family about treatments and side effects
Other doctors. Since both the disease and the treatment for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma can affect different parts of your body, some specialists you may need to see are:
- Dermatologists, who care for skin diseases
- Endocrinologists, who treat problems with the glands that make hormones, like your thyroid or adrenal glands
- Neurologists, who handle trouble in your nervous system
Getting Tested
It's not always easy to tell which kind of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma you have, but it makes a big difference in your treatment. Your team includes members who test for different types of diseases.
Cytogeneticist. They may help find the kind of cancer you have based on certain features or changes in your genes.
Pathologist. They use lab tests to learn what disease a person has. You may have different pathologists on your team, such as:
- Hematopathologists, who study blood cells to find disease types
- Lymphoma pathologists, who work just on lymphomas
- Surgical pathologists, who look for disease using a person's blood, fluids, and tissue
Radiologist. They interpret X-rays and other images, which is another way to learn the type and stage of your cancer.
Keeping Up Your Quality of Life
Mental health professionals. They can lend a hand if anxiety hits and your spirits start to sag. Some you may see are:
- Counselors
- Psychiatrists
- Psychologists
Social workers may also help coordinate your care and find resources and services in your community.
Dietitians and nutrition specialists. Some treatments, like radiation, might cause you to lose your appetite. These experts can help you with a plan to get the healthy foods you need. They may even come up with a diet that limits some side effects.
Physical and occupational therapists. They help you manage your everyday tasks and activities. For example, they can teach you to:
- Exercise even when you feel wiped out
- Keep up your strength and range of motion
- Lower your pain and stress levels