Watchful Waiting (Surveillance) for Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma
Treatment Overview
Watchful waiting (surveillance) is a period in the treatment of
some types of
non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) in which you are not having treatment. It does not mean that your doctors are giving
up or refusing to give you treatment.
What To Expect After Treatment
During this time, you will:
- Receive periodic medical tests, including chest
X-rays, CT scans, and blood tests, such as chemistry screens and complete blood
counts (CBCs).
- See your doctor on a regular basis.
- Be
told which symptoms to report to your doctor immediately.
Why It Is Done
Watchful waiting may be an option for you if:
- Your lymphoma is slow-growing (indolent or low-grade).
- Your lymphoma may be a kind that
does not respond well to
chemotherapy or
radiation therapy in its current state.
- You are living comfortably and do not have significant
symptoms from your lymphoma.
How Well It Works
Watchful waiting is often as effective as other treatments
for some types of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL). Some people with slow-growing NHL may live a long time without symptoms.
Risks
There do not seem to be any risks involved in watchful waiting for some types of
NHL when you are being watched closely by your doctor. If your lymphoma changes, other treatments such as chemotherapy or
radiation therapy may be used to control your disease.
What To Think About
Watchful waiting may be a good option if your lymphoma is not the
type that can be cured with standard therapy, you are not having troublesome
symptoms, and standard therapy is not likely to prolong your life.
Watchful waiting ends when one of the following occurs:
- Symptoms develop.
- Lymphoma tumor size increases.
- Organs do not function normally.
Complete the special treatment information form (PDF) (What is a PDF document?) to help you understand this treatment.
Credits
| By | Healthwise Staff |
|---|
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Anne C. Poinier, MD - Internal Medicine |
|---|
| Specialist Medical Reviewer | Douglas A. Stewart, MD - Medical Oncology |
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| Last Revised | March 29, 2012 |
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Last Revised:
March 29, 2012
