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If Lymphoma goes into remission does that indicate the person is cured and can live normally?
My partner unfortunately has been diagnosed with Lymphoma. I am scared that I will lose him. He is beginning an aggressive one month round of Chemo therapy and I’m wondering if after the chemo, the Lymphoma goes into remission, does that eventually mean he is “cured” and can live a normal life?
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#2 written by scat201 2 years ago
the remission time for a “cure” is five years and if he still is remission after that time he is classed as cured. There will always be a chance of relapse even after five years but it is classed a unlikely if he has not relapsed after five years.
Stay positive for him and support him as much as you as that can do alot for him at this point in time. Hope the treatment goes well for him. -
#3 written by chris d 2 years ago
i myself am in remission right now.
i had anaplastic large cell lymphomaan estimated 3 months after the tests show that he is clear of the cancer,he will get his port out(if he has a port,in my case i do)
he is able to live a normal life now,just with limits.
you will not lose your partner,think positive and only positive,and make sure he takes all of his meds.
if the chemotherapy he is prescribed is right for him,he will live and probably 5 years after they say he is cured,he will never be able to have that type of cancer EVER again. - Comment Feed for this Post
A few different things to consider.
There are two major kinds of lymphoma. There is a specific type called Hodgkin’s Disease and then there is Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, which is basically every other lymphatic system cancer that isn’t considered Hodgkin’s Disease. There are about 30 different kinds of Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
A remission generally means that the person simply has no evidence of disease. In lymphoma, a person often will go into remission, but then still need more chemotherapy and/or radiation to make sure any microscopic disease has been wiped out. For example, in Hodgkin’s Disease, two cycles of “extra” chemotherapy are commonly given beyond the initial remission point.
A cure in lymphoma is generally defined as being in remission for five or more years, with no relapse. For purposes of defining “cure,” the period of time is measured from the end of treatment, not the initial remission point. Hodgkin’s Disease and some kinds of Non-Hodgkin’s are considered curable. Some kinds of Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma are considered treatable, but incurable. This means that although it may be possible to control the lymphoma or even achieve a remission, it will almost always come back.
Lymphoma that comes back after initial remission may bey treated with high dose chemotherapy and stem or bone marrow transplant. This treatment can provide very long-term remission rates for some people, possibly even cure.
A person with lymphoma in remission should be able to live a normal life. Sometimes the drugs used to treat the lymphoma have long term side effects, but many people return to normal life and are able to exercise, work, etc. It depends on the individual.
Because lymphoma is such a diverse set of cancers, it is difficult to generalize without knowing what a person’s specific subtype is. Generally, the type of lymphoma (HD vs. NHL, then what specific type of NHL), stage of disease, and the person’s overall health are most important to determining how well a person does.
Best of luck to you both.