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What Is The Life Expectancy Of Someone With Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma?

Posted on Mon, 21 Nov 2016

Question: 89 year old Female just diagnosed nonHodgkins lymphoma; poor general health, overweight, blood clot currently in right leg. Treatment suggested was chemo and radiation. Can she tolerate such treatments? Would they extend her life few months? If no treatment, hospice? Life expectancy range? Oncologist told family treatment or not up to us; couldn't/wouldn't answer about quality of life, expectancy with/without treatment. Looking for advice/guidelines what to do. Thank you.

Answered by Dr. Deepak Sundriyal (16 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Hello dear. Please share some more information.

Detailed Answer:
Hello dear. I have read the details. I would like to know some more details. Please update me regarding
1. Her level of activities. Does she can take self care liking bathing, eating , changing clothes? or bed ridden or chair bound?
2. What is the subtype of non hodgkin lymphoma? like diffuse large b cell, follicular, small cell, mantle etc
3. Any comorbid condition like diabetes, hypertension, cardiac illness?
4. Stage of the disease
After knowing al these i can give your all answers in a more definite way.
Thanks and regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D

Follow up: Dr. Deepak Sundriyal (1 hour later)

1. At this time, bed/wheelbound; limited self-care, needs help
2. Subtype unknown by family, will try to find out from current oncologist
3. Borderline diabetes
4. Stage is unknown by family, will ask current oncologist

Family just told, didn't know to ask type and stage. Will ask her oncologist ASAP and respond further.

Answered by Dr. Deepak Sundriyal (8 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Hello. Treatment can be given.

Detailed Answer:
Hello dear. So lymphoma is one illness in which treatment can be given even in a chairbound patient. Usually we start with a combination of drugs but in her case we can give single drug and then add other when her condition improves. At her age we can expect a survival of atleast 2 years if things go right. Please provide with further details
Thanks and regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D

Follow up: Dr. Deepak Sundriyal (24 hours later)

Oncologist stated lymphoma is subtype diffuse large B cell, intermedia grade. How would this determine treatment and life expectancy as well as quality of life?
What are all possible side effects of chemo? Of radiation? Thank you.

Answered by Dr. Deepak Sundriyal (5 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
So dlbcl is a curable type of lymphoma

Detailed Answer:
Hello dear. So dlbcl is a curable type of lymphoma. Cure rates vary from around 85 percent in stage1 to 30 percent in stage 4. RCHOP is the chemo protocol containing 5 drugs but in her case i would like to start with minichop protocol n by giving only a single drug at a time. Side effects will be loss of hairs, nause, loss of taste, weakness etc. Radiation may or may not be required.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D

Follow up: Dr. Deepak Sundriyal (23 minutes later)

If radiation is used, what are side effects? Thank you.

Answered by Dr. Deepak Sundriyal (5 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Radiation alone is not of help

Detailed Answer:
Hello dear. Radiation alone has no help in dlbcl. Side effect of radiation include, fatigue, weakness and mucositis.
Thanks and regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad

Follow up: Dr. Deepak Sundriyal (7 hours later)

Oncologist suggested chemo every 3 - 4 weeks for 6 months. Is this standard protocol? Will the chemo just reduce the size and will it return/regrow or will the chemo eliminate it? Thank you.

Answered by Dr. Deepak Sundriyal (12 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Yes, they are right, don't worry

Detailed Answer:
Hello dear. Yes this chemo is given every 3weekly. It has potential for cure. Go ahead with the treatment.

Thanks and regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee

Follow up: Dr. Deepak Sundriyal (18 minutes later)

Thank you for your help/advice. Family appreciates it.

Answered by Dr. Deepak Sundriyal (1 minute later)

Brief Answer:
Welcome

Detailed Answer:
Your welcome

Feel free to ask further at any time.
Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee

Follow up: Dr. Deepak Sundriyal (25 hours later)

Will the chemo reduce size or eliminate mass? Possibly regrow after chemo? ReAppear in lymph node elsewhere in body?

Answered by Dr. Deepak Sundriyal (29 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Hello dear.. Dlbcl is curable.

Detailed Answer:
Hello dear. As i said earlier, dlbcl us curable. However the percentage of patients getting completely cured vary by the stage of disease. Some patient may regrow tumor, but we cant predict those patients.
Thanks and regards

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Nagamani Ng