new to Lymphoma - treatment & dr's

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Hello, everyone. I am really from the Multiple Myeloma board, but now have an issue for a good friend who's father was just diagnosed with Lymphoma.

Firstly, can anyone recommend - what are the best places or a good dr. for treatment in New York? And if anyone here happens to live in Brooklyn, again, same question....

Regarding treatment, can anyone give me a quick 411? Not sure yet of the type of Lymphoma, but i think it might be B cell Lymphoma. (i will double check when they have the info). What is the basic chemo regimen and is it very rough or fairly tolerable? This would be for a 70 year old man.

Any info or links you could offer would be greatly appreciated.

Good luck to all of you, thanks.

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Abbala

Hi, I'm 70 and my lymphoma has been treated with radiation and I responded very well to this therapy.

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Sheila5

Hello,

My husband has been treated for CNS Lymphoma of the Brain and eyes. It is a B cell, which I think is the fairly common type. The CHOP treatment is a pretty standard chemo plan. It is 4 different chemo medications that are given over a period of months, some of the medications are given weekly. Alot, as you already know, depends on the type and place the Lymphoma occurs. I have a close friend in his 80's who has a very slow growing form that has been maintained for several years. The doctors told him he would pass away from something else before his lymphoma. It does affect his stamina and sometimes he has set backs, but he handles everything well. As you know treatments effect everyone differently. Hopefully, all goes well with your friend and they have caught it in the early stages or it is a slow form of Lymphoma. Best wishes to you and yours, Sheila

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subito

On Mar 06, 2011 2:56 PM DebJr wrote:
Hello, everyone. I am really from the Multiple Myeloma board, but now have an issue for a good friend who's father was just diagnosed with Lymphoma.

Firstly, can anyone recommend - what are the best places or a good dr. for treatment in New York? And if anyone here happens to live in Brooklyn, again, same question....

Regarding treatment, can anyone give me a quick 411? Not sure yet of the type of Lymphoma, but i think it might be B cell Lymphoma. (i will double check when they have the info). What is the basic chemo regimen and is it very rough or fairly tolerable? This would be for a 70 year old man.

Any info or links you could offer would be greatly appreciated.

Good luck to all of you, thanks.

The protocol for CNSL is usually high-dose methotrexate (MTX). That's generally the first course of action for people at any age (although radiation is sometimes used first). There are international CNSL experts at Sloane Kettering in NYC--Lauren Abrey among others. MTX is generally tolerable although some have kidney complications but, from what I've read, most people do well. The treatment itself takes just a few hours, but you have to be in the hospital for a few days for them to check your kidney function. CHOP is generally used for lymphoma outside the brain but not inside the brain. Radiation is also an option. There are concerns with the combination of MTX and radiation with people over 60. This is a rare cancer so you want to go where they know about it. I would think any teaching hospital would be a good choice. My husband had this and I read everything I could on the topic.

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EstherMSKCC

Dear DebJr,

I'm sorry to hear about your friend's father's diagnosis. I'm an employee of Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York City and am writing to offer some resources that may be helpful as he gathers more information about lymphoma, treatment options, and where to receive his cancer care.

The National Cancer Institute (NCI) is always a good place to start when gathering information about a particular type of cancer. They offer disease overviews, including information about staging and treatment options: www.cancer.gov

The American Cancer Society is also a good resource for information about lymphoma, including stories of hope: www.cancer.org

In both cases, he can search for the type of lymphoma he has once he gets more information about his diagnosis.

The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society is another great resource offering educational materials and support for people with these diseases: http://www.leukemia.org/hm_lls

The NCI is a reliable source of information when researching cancer care facilities. The NCI's web site offers cancer patients and their families a searchable database of cancer centers by location, type of center, or keyword. The database contains contact information and descriptions of the different types of NCI-designated cancer centers, which are recognized for their excellence and experience in cancer research, prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. Here is the link to the database of centers: http://cancercenters.cancer.gov/cancer_centers/cancer-center

Memorial Sloan-Kettering is one of four NCI designated comprehensive cancer centers listed in the NY metro area. If your friend's father is considering Memorial Sloan-Kettering for his treatment, here is a link with more information about making care choices and how to contact our Physician Referral Service staff to make an appointment: http://www.mskcc.org/mskcc/html/5306.cfm

The American Cancer Society also has a good overview page on how to choose a doctor and treatment facility: www.cancer.org /Treatment/FindingandPayingforTreatment/ChoosingYourTreatmentTeam/choosing-a-doctor-and-a-hospital" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">http://www.cancer.org /Treatment/FindingandPayingforTreatment

I hope this information is useful and wish your friend's father the best of luck as he moves forward with treatment.

-Esther

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ChiefR

I was diagnosed with left lung MALT lymphoma, lower lobe after treatment for pheumonia 3 years ago and a follow up Xray. I have had 17 half strength radiation treatments and my follow up is in April. Mine was 1a or caught early and my Oncologist said if you have to get cancer MALT was the one to get as it is indolent or slow growing. I have a thumb print stump left in my lower left lung and my breathing is very good.

Ron

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scottiej

If it is Follicular grade b small cleaved cel lymphoma- stage 4- that is me- age 61 - bulfy tumor. I am on wait and watch. The doc rec R-CVP but I am feeling good and seeking other ways to get my body right while I wait for a change.

I have had other cancers, so I have practice at waiting to decide. As FL cannot be "cured" by convential medicine, I would suggest reading "surviving lymphoma" and then looking for ways to correct health imbalances. Unless there is pain or acute compression- waiting is really appropriate...

You can always drop in for treatment - or met the docs in ER if it goes ballastic...as my doc agreed- there is not difference in treating now or treating later - so why rush - these protocols are always waiting.

Good luck. Also, I ran into anothe member Shebee on the board and she has used anothe approach and after her story I was convinced that I can wait and seek other care. If you cannot find this - friedn me and I will try to help you contact her- she has loads of documentation.

Scottie

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7 Posts | Page(s): 1