Treatment for non-Hodgkin's depends on the cancer stage, or severity.
Individuals diagnosed in the very early stages will likely not undergo
treatment. In this case, the cancer is generally indolent, thus immediate
treatment is not necessary. However, as the cancer advances, physicians will
recommend either chemotherapy or radiation treatment. Chemotherapy
consists of a group of drugs that are intended to kill cancerous cells and
prevent the growth of new cancerous cells. Radiation therapy
has the same purpose; however, this method of treatment is also effective with
shrinking tumors.
Patients that suffer recurrent bouts of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma may require a
bone marrow transplant. Chemotherapy and radiation are high
dosage treatments that may severely damage healthy cells. A bone marrow
transplant is effective because the marrow will produce healthy cells, which
protects the patient against infections.