Malt

Hi My husband has just been diagnosed with Malt Lymphoma. I am hoping that by talking to people who have it will prove to be the best source of information. My Husband is 46 yrs old. the oncologist says to wait and see. no treatment right now. He just finished a dose of antibiodics and we will go back in month for more tests. Is this normal treatment for malt? What can we expect to happen in the future as to symptoms. treatments etc. According to our dr,This is a very treatable,curable type of cancer. I am asking you.....is he right?????

I have Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma and just underwent a partial gastrectomy for a MALT tumor there. I am told that many times, depending on where the tumor is located, the best course of treatment is to "watch and wait". I could not bear this as my anxiety level was too high so I opted for part of my stomach being surgically removed. I am told by my surgeon, gastroenterologist, and oncologist that my type of cancer is very treatable and even if it does come back (in the same place or different place) that it is very treatable. There are varibles - what stage is your husband, where is the tumor located, etc? Mine was fortunately stage 1 which is virtually unheard of in stomach cancer. I am hoping you have the same good fortune I have, as I was just told I am now cancer free. But I will undergo another EGD and PET scan in 3 months so I know the cancer can return. That is the scary part! I will remember you and your family in my prayers. Keep us posted on the board! This is a great support system we have here.
Hugs,
Melody

Hi, My Mom has Malt-Lymphoma and she just started her Rituxan treatment today. She has swollen nodes in her lung area and maybe in her stomach area. She didn't have any reaction for the treatment today. They say it could give chills during getting the medication but she did just fine. They say she won't have any of the normal chemo side-effects. Hopefully that is right.

How is your husband doing? Hope all is well.

My mother's in in a really early stage and they told her it is very treatable. Not 100% on curable. We will be checking with the doctor.

When I was 42 I was diagnosed with malt lymphoma originating in my stomach lining which had moved to my lungs. I had "CHOP" chemotherapy and have been in excellent health for 18 months now. I was told that this cancer has no actual cure but it can be held at bay very successfully. From my knowledge the reason there can be no cure is that for me it is not a "localized" cancer i.e. it is evident both in my blood and bones and major organs. As such it could not really be operated on to remove it as in the case of a localized tumour. Fortunately for me the lymphoma was low grade (meaning that my cancer cells were not too different to ordinary cells) and as such my chemo. was very successful and not difficult at all. In fact I swam 10 kilometres (not all at once!) whilst having chemo. over several months. I have also adopted a cancer prevention lifestyle.

I would suggest that in your case if your husband is being treated with antibiotics then this is promising as from my reading this may effect a cure. It was only relatively recently that doctors discovered that some people can really benefit from this approach although I was unable to due to their inability to detect the particular bacterium (I think it was a bacteria,from memory)that would have called for such a treatment.

The "wait and see" approach is more often adopted with people whose symptoms are not causing too many difficulties but as my breathing and loss of appetite were severe that was not possible with me.

Go to recommended medical websites,find out what you can and join an ongoing cancer education/support group.The hardest part of cancer for me has been living with the knowledge that it may return and I think only now (18 months after the end of my treatment) have I been able to conquer these fears. I am now living a "fearless" life (which I am certain is very important for my health,immune function etc.) and as such a much happier life than most people.I have not actually explored any "alternative" treatments.

I am happy to provide you with any further information you may need. I still believe in a cure even if the doctors cannot.