Remission Does Not Improve Survival Rates?

I am a small b-cell stage 3/4 indolent NHL.  I'm 30yo and have no b-symptoms.  Obviously I want to have the highest quality of life for the longest time.

I went for my 2nd opinion today and my doctor advised that 2 studies showed that in the absence of b-symptoms or other incidental issues, using chemo to push the lymphoma into temporary remission does not improve survival rates.  He said that at the moment, treatment has not been shown to affect survival rates.  Therefore r-chop or r-cvp treatment will serve no real purpose if the tumors are not causing an immediate problem.

This therefore disagrees with my primary oncologist's recommendation to start R-CVP to reduce the swelling of my lymph nodes.

Comments, please.

Dave 

Hello Dave.....My b cell indolent non Hodgkin's lymphoma was diagnosed in May 2004. I had a very large tumor in my chest which had caused infection in and the collapse of the center lobe of my right lung. During surgery to clear away the infection and unentrap the lung an enlarged lymph node was noted on my heart, needle biopsied and it tested postive for non Hodgkin's lymphoma. The tumor was inoperable. Chemo was recommended. I instead opted to follow an alternative path, worked with a naturopath and integrative doctor and through diet, supplements, lifestyle changes, meditation etc. built my immune system to an optimum level. I have no symptoms of disease and feel strong and healthy. If you would like to have a copy of the Regimen I follow please send me a private message and I'll gladly share what I do and what I have learned. Shemay

On 7/5/2007 Long_runner wrote:

I am a small b-cell stage 3/4 indolent NHL.  I'm 30yo and have no b-symptoms.  Obviously I want to have the highest quality of life for the longest time.

I went for my 2nd opinion today and my doctor advised that 2 studies showed that in the absence of b-symptoms or other incidental issues, using chemo to push the lymphoma into temporary remission does not improve survival rates.  He said that at the moment, treatment has not been shown to affect survival rates.  Therefore r-chop or r-cvp treatment will serve no real purpose if the tumors are not causing an immediate problem.

This therefore disagrees with my primary oncologist's recommendation to start R-CVP to reduce the swelling of my lymph nodes.

Comments, please.

Dave 

Thank you for your input but I am not interested in non-conventional therapies.

And you didn't address my question either.

 

On 7/5/2007 Shemay wrote:

Hello Dave.....My b cell indolent non Hodgkin's lymphoma was diagnosed in May 2004. I had a very large tumor in my chest which had caused infection in and the collapse of the center lobe of my right lung. During surgery to clear away the infection and unentrap the lung an enlarged lymph node was noted on my heart, needle biopsied and it tested postive for non Hodgkin's lymphoma. The tumor was inoperable. Chemo was recommended. I instead opted to follow an alternative path, worked with a naturopath and integrative doctor and through diet, supplements, lifestyle changes, meditation etc. built my immune system to an optimum level. I have no symptoms of disease and feel strong and healthy. If you would like to have a copy of the Regimen I follow please send me a private message and I'll gladly share what I do and what I have learned. Shemay

 

On 7/5/2007 Long_runner wrote:

I am a small b-cell stage 3/4 indolent NHL.  I'm 30yo and have no b-symptoms.  Obviously I want to have the highest quality of life for the longest time.

I went for my 2nd opinion today and my doctor advised that 2 studies showed that in the absence of b-symptoms or other incidental issues, using chemo to push the lymphoma into temporary remission does not improve survival rates.  He said that at the moment, treatment has not been shown to affect survival rates.  Therefore r-chop or r-cvp treatment will serve no real purpose if the tumors are not causing an immediate problem.

This therefore disagrees with my primary oncologist's recommendation to start R-CVP to reduce the swelling of my lymph nodes.

Comments, please.

Dave 

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Shemay:

Don't treat small indolent Stage IV NHL.  It could stay that way for a long time.  If you treat it it can mutate into a more aggressive form like mine did.

I had indolent small B cell follicular Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma.  It did nothing for 7 yrs.  Then I developed Hodgkins Lymphoma.  It is treatable and has a 95% cure rate.  I was treated for the Hodgkins.  It took away both lymphomas.  The bad/sad part was that the NHL came back grade 3 a more aggressive form and its been treated several times because it comes back so fast.  I am out of options now.  Rituxan is being used to try to keep it at bay.

Who knows how long I could have gone without treating the indolent if I hadn't gotten Hodgkins as well.  I've heard of people living 20 to 30 yrs with it.

Now all I can do is hope God will give me more time.  I don't qualify for any kind of treatment because my immune system and body are so damaged.

If you have indolent, leave it alone!

Kitty

Dave!

Your 30 years old and you will need to learn how to survive with lymphoma.  Check out this website...it goes on a more integrative approach, medical and natural...there are survivors on this site that have lived with lymphoma for 19+ years. 

Take the medical approach, learn from this site what needs to be done.

You will not be disappointed.... it is www.lymphomasurvival.com.  HOPE began here for me and my father who on Jan 17/08 was diagnosed with Stage 4B Grade 3 intermediate lymphoma. 

Best of health, take control of it, know what your dealing with and then you can make the best choices for your disease.