Can anyone tell me please the difference between progressive Lymphoma and non progressive.

Thankyou!! :confused:

Hi Jane, I wonder if you mean the difference between aggressive and non-aggressive, ie indolent? We have to remember that there are about 40 different types of lymphoma so it is difficult to make general statements, without more information. However, from what I know, aggressive types may require more urgent attention, but are often curable. Indolent types may not need any treatment, but are generally only treatable, not curable. Whether they are treated or not can depend on staging, and if they are causing problems. If they are not, they can be monitored for change or progression.

Please correct me, anyone, if I am on the wrong track here!

I hope this helps!

Assuming we are talking about ( Non Hodgkins Lymphoma ) Which I assume because Hodgkins Lymphoma isn't an indolent type.

( Alisons ) description is correct it is called either aggressive ( fast growing ) or indolent ( slow growing ) but as she said there are many different types.
With the indolent they often do what they call a watch and wait, they will monitor the disease until the patient has symptoms or until any problems arise from the disease that need attention, or as she said if the lymphoma has already grown to a stage III or IV then they will treat it. Often over time the indolent lymphoma will transform into aggressive lymphoma. They would then treat the aggressive which is easier treated than the indolent. But even it transforms and they treat it into remission the indolent is still there lurking in the background and will return at some time or another.

Staging the disease is explained below:
Stage I: Either of the following means the disease is a stage I:
The lymphoma is in a lymph node or nodes in only 1 region, such as the neck, groin, underarm, and so on.
The cancer is found only in 1 area of a single organ outside of the lymph system (IE).

Stage II: Either of the following means the disease is a stage II:
The lymphoma is in 2 groups or more of lymph nodes on the same side of (above or below) the diaphragm (the breathing muscle that aids breathing and separates the chest and abdomen). For example, this might include nodes in the underarm and neck area but not the combination of underarm and groin nodes.
If the cancer extends locally from a single group of lymph node(s) into nearby organ, it is called IIE.

Stage III: Either of the following means the disease is a stage III:
The lymphoma is found in lymph node areas on both sides of (above and below) the diaphragm.
The cancer may also have extended into an area or organ next to the lymph node (IIIE), into the spleen (IIIS), or both (IIISE).

Stage IV: Any of the following means the disease is a stage IV:
The lymphoma has spread outside of the lymph system into an organ that is not immediately adjacent to an involved node.

After they determine the stage number, they add either an A or B Example Stage II A would mean stage 2 without symptoms as Stage II B would mean stage 2 with symptoms
the symptoms are unexplained weight loss (more than 10% of weight)
soaking night sweats, unexplained fever 100°

My husband was diagnosed with indolent Follicular lymphoma ( stageIII A ) in 2004. He went through 8 R-CHOP treatments ( chemo and rituxan ) every three weeks, he had a partial remission but it did not give him a complete remission, he was then put on watch and wait..... 14 months later a tumor was discovered wrapping around his spine so they decided to give him radiation due to the fact that it could cause him to have a spinal injury. The radiation shrunk the tumor but did not get rid of it. He went back three months later for a re-check and the spinal tumor and others had grown more than they should have for indolent lymphoma. Reason being his indolent lymphoma had transformed into aggressive lymphoma. We are now looking at a stem cell transplant, which there are three different options we need to choose from, which is no easy task each option has different statisics and risk factors....... he has had 3 hospital stays for what they call mega doses of chemo ( intense Chemo ) and we now have to choose which type of transplant he will do. #1 Using his own stem cells it is less risky but only buys him a short time in remission, #2 ( Donor transplant ) by standard statistics buys more time but has many risks .....#3 ( different type of donor transplant ) by standard statistics would give him the longest remission but the risks of different complications are higher than the other two ( very hard decision ) I guess I didn't need to go into all of that but it made it easier to explain with first hand knowledge from my husbands case.
Hope that helped answer some of your questions.

We have been told that they won't be able to cure my dads cancer just put it in remission.

Hi Jane,
I take it your father has been diagnosed with Indolent Lymphoma is that correct? Most likely Indolent Follicular Lymphoma. If that is correct then what the doctors are saying is true. There are several types of Lymphoma, but all are either Indolent ( slow growing ) or aggressive ( fast growing ) Aggressive Lymphoma can be put into remission and may never come back if caught early enough, where as Indolent can not.

Instead they usually do what they call " Watch and wait "
This is done when the patient has no symptoms, and there are no major organs at risk. Since indolent lymphomas cannot be cured the main goal of treatment is to keep the patient in good health as long as possible. Virtually all the low grade or indolent lymphoma patients follow the same pattern of having treatment, going into remission, and then at some point and time having a relapse. Each remission being shorter than the previous one.
Which is why they do not want to give patients these toxic treatments if they do not have to.

When treatment is necessary they use the least toxic options first, and save the "big guns" as they call it, until later.
The reasoning behind that is since follicular lymphoma cannot be cured, and no matter what treatments you choose the life expectancy is the same. So they work on trying to protect the patients quality of life by choosing the least toxic regimen, and saving the harder stuff for later as the condition worsens.

When first diagnosed there are many different factors on whether they will treat the patient or not, the stage of the disease is the biggest factor if it is already in several areas they will treat it right away other wise it will be the watch and wait process.

Hope that helped you understand the disease a little bit better. But remember I am assuming which type your father actually has.

I'm so sorry your father has contracted this disease good luck to you and your family.

Tiffany

Hi Jane,
I take it your father has been diagnosed with Indolent Lymphoma is that correct? Most likely Indolent Follicular Lymphoma. If that is correct then what the doctors are saying is true. There are several types of Lymphoma, but all are either Indolent ( slow growing ) or aggressive ( fast growing ) Aggressive Lymphoma can be put into remission and may never come back if caught early enough, where as Indolent can not.

Instead they usually do what they call " Watch and wait "
This is done when the patient has no symptoms, and there are no major organs at risk. Since indolent lymphomas cannot be cured the main goal of treatment is to keep the patient in good health as long as possible. Virtually all the low grade or indolent lymphoma patients follow the same pattern of having treatment, going into remission, and then at some point and time having a relapse. Each remission being shorter than the previous one.
Which is why they do not want to give patients these toxic treatments if they do not have to.

When treatment is necessary they use the least toxic options first, and save the "big guns" as they call it, until later.
The reasoning behind that is since follicular lymphoma cannot be cured, and no matter what treatments you choose the life expectancy is the same. So they work on trying to protect the patients quality of life by choosing the least toxic regimen, and saving the harder stuff for later as the condition worsens.

When first diagnosed there are many different factors on whether they will treat the patient or not, the stage of the disease is the biggest factor if it is already in several areas they will treat it right away other wise it will be the watch and wait process.

Hope that helped you understand the disease a little bit better. But remember I am assuming which type your father actually has.

I'm so sorry your father has contracted this disease good luck to you and your family.

Tiffany

Given the bad new this week, my dad has been given Max 3 months to live. He is now in a Hospice. I really cannot beleive I am not going to see him again soon!! He is so weak he cannot walk. He coughs and coughs. His appitite is nothing and he is sleeping most of the time. When he is not asleep he talks a lot of mumbo jumbo bless hi,. Its horrible to see this happen to a once stong man. Head of out household.
His 1st lot of chemo and the only lot he had 3 months ago was given on top of an infection. It knocked him sidewards and had never recovered.

Jane, I am so very sorry to hear your sad news. I am glad your father is being taken care of in Hospice but I can imagine how shocked and saddened you are to see him like this. My heart goes out to you. The most important thing for him now is to be free from pain and to be at peace during his remaining months.

Love and prayers,