Lymphoma is a term for cancers that develop from cells of the lymphatic system (which is part of the body's immune system) called lymphocytes (a subset of white blood cells responsible for immunity and fighting infections). Lymphomas first start from errors that occur in the DNA of lymphocytes in either the lymph nodes or other lymphoid tissue. When one of these cells undergoes a transformation into a malignant cell and begins to grow abnormally, lymphoma arises.

There are two basic categories of lymphomas: Hodgkin's lymphoma (also called Hodgkin's disease) and non-Hodgkin's lymphomas. The difference between these is in the specific lymphocytes involved. Hodgkin's lymphoma is marked by the presence of an abnormal lymphocyte called the Reed-Sternberg cell (or B lymphocyte). Non-Hodgkin's lymphomas (NHL) include all other types of lymphomas. NHL develops from white blood cells in other parts of the lymphatic system, including the bone marrow, spleen, thymus and lymph nodes. There are more than 30 different types of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, including aggressive (fast-growing) or indolent (slow-growing) types.

If you or a loved one has been recently diagnosed with lymphoma, or have been battling lymphoma for some time and are exploring your treatment options, you have come to the right place. Cancer Treatment Centers of America (CTCA) offers a comprehensive, personalized approach to lymphoma treatment. Here, we are committed to caring for you like family. Our doctors and practitioners will empower you with information, listen to your concerns, and deliver an integrative lymphoma treatment plan tailored to your needs.

Lymphomas may cause many different signs and symptoms, depending on the type of lymphoma and where it is found in the body. Potential lymphoma symptoms include:

• Swelling in the lymph nodes in the neck, groin, armpit
• Abdominal pain or swelling
• Loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting
• Fever
• Night sweats
• Unexplained weight loss
• Severe itchiness
• Persistent fatigue, feeling of tiredness
• Coughing or shortness of breath
• Headaches
• Difficulty moving parts of the body

NOTE: It is important to remember that these potential symptoms may be attributed to a number of conditions other than cancer, such as an infection or other illness. Only a medical professional make this determination.

Your doctor may use the following screening and diagnostic tests to make a diagnosis:

• Health history - to determine your health now and in the past
• Physical examination - to determine the size and consistency of your lymph nodes
• Blood and urine tests - to rule out an infection or other disease
• Imaging tests - to view and determine the location of tumors in the body
• Biopsy - removing a small amount of tissue to determine the type of lymphoma, the growth rate of the tumor, and whether it has spread

A lymphoma diagnosis can make you feel shocked, scared and anxious. At Cancer Treatment Centers of America (CTCA), we are here to help you manage your feelings, make informed decisions about your care, and cope with the journey ahead. Our team of expert doctors and technologists use the latest lymphoma detection tools to accurately determine the grade (degree of cell maturity) and stage (extent of cancer in the body) of the disease. Using this information, your CTCA care team will develop the most appropriate treatment plan for you.

Chemotherapy and radiation therapy are the most commonly used lymphoma treatments, and may be used alone or combined. Chemotherapy is a systemic treatment that uses a combination of several drugs, given by IV injection or by mouth, to kill the malignant cells. It is typically given in cycles, based on the duration of the drug's effect and other factors. Radiation therapy is a local treatment that uses high-energy rays to target and kill cancer cells in a specific area. Since lymphoma cells are likely to be present in widespread areas, radiation therapy is not commonly used alone.

Additional lymphoma treatments include stem cell transplantation (SCT), biological therapy, or surgery. SCT replaces damaged or destroyed cells with healthy stem cells from a donor (allogeneic) or from the patient themselves (autologous). Biological therapy (also called immunotherapy or biological response modifier therapy) uses the body's immune system to fight cancer or to lessen the side effects of cancer treatment. Surgery may be performed to remove a tumor and nearby lymph nodes. Surgery is more often used to obtain a tissue sample to diagnose lymphoma, rather than as a lymphoma treatment option.

At CTCA, we provide a variety of innovative lymphoma treatment options and technologies that offer new hope and a greater quality of life. Based on your individualized treatment plan, some of the lymphoma treatments you may receive include various forms of radiation therapy, chemotherapy, biotherapy, and/or stem cell transplantation. We also understand that caring for you means caring for all of you, not just the disease. In addition to your conventional lymphoma treatments, we offer complementary medicine therapies, such as nutrition therapy, physical therapy, mind-body medicine and more.

When facing intensive therapy for lymphoma, it becomes all too clear how much you will rely on your medical team. It is important to find knowledgeable and experienced doctors who are familiar with your disease type and unique needs, and who take time to listen to you. At CTCA, we purposefully select physicians who can demonstrate a combination of medical expertise and attentive, compassionate care.

Here, you will find a care team of doctors and practitioners who are committed to exploring every treatment option available to you. Your care team will include oncologists, pain management clinicians, dietitians, naturopaths, rehabilitation therapists, psychotherapists, and even pastoral care staff. And, since they reside in one location, our cancer experts are able to communicate regularly with each other about the progress of your treatment. This means you get a seamless experience and quality care each day.

At CTCA, we recognize that you are more than just a "cancer patient." You are a unique, whole individual. Our doctors and practitioners abide by a Mother Standard® of care, meaning we support you and your needs as we would a member of our own family. Here, your care team will take the time to answer your questions-providing information, comfort and support to help you fight lymphoma.

Cancer affects each person differently. Your lymphoma treatment should reflect your unique situation and needs. As a patient at CTCA, you will have your very own team of cancer experts who are committed to your fight. Your care team will work closely with you to develop a personalized treatment plan that best suits your needs. With our integrative, personalized approach to cancer treatment, we promise you more time, more attention and more comprehensive care at CTCA.

Throughout your treatment, your care team will visit with you to answer your questions and make sure your needs are being met. If you are hospitalized at any point, our team of medical professionals will meet regularly with you during what we call "Comfort Rounds." This is an opportunity for you and your caregivers to meet face-to-face with doctors and practitioners from various departments within the hospital-to discuss your physical, emotional, spiritual, financial or other concerns.

At CTCA, we also encourage you to take an active role in your care and treatment decisions. With our Patient Empowerment Medicine^SM (PEM) model, you are at the center of your care. We will work with you at whatever level you are comfortable to empower you with clear information, guidance and support the way you need it. At CTCA, you will receive the kind of care and personalized attention you need and deserve.

We understand you might be feeling overwhelmed by what's ahead. At Cancer Treatment Centers of America (CTCA), we are here to help you in your journey towards healing. From the moment you step inside a CTCA hospital, you will discover a treatment center that is welcoming and positive-one which brings the concept of hope and healing to life.

Should you decide to become a patient at Cancer Treatment Centers of America (CTCA), we will handle all the details for you to make your arrival at one of our hospitals as seamless and effortless as possible. Once you get here, all of your care is handled under one roof, with reduced wait times for appointments and test results, giving you more time to spend with family and friends. When your treatment is complete, our Aftercare Program aims to help you develop a plan for maintaining your health and taking the next steps in recovery.

To learn more about your lymphoma treatment options at CTCA, call us anytime at 800-392-8155. Our Oncology Information Specialists (OIS) are here for you 24 hours a day, every day of the year, to listen and help in the decision-making process. You can also send them an email or chat online. At CTCA, we are here to help you take the next steps towards healing.