The aim of treatment for lymphoma is to control the cancer so it goes into remission. This is when the symptoms and signs of cancer reduce or disappear.
Learn more about:
Overview
When planning your treatment, your doctor will consider the type of lymphoma you have, the stage and grade, your age and general health, and your preferences.
The aim of treatment is to make the signs and symptoms of lymphoma reduce or disappear. This is called remission. Remission can last for a long period of time. Sometimes lymphoma becomes active again and further treatment is required. This is called a relapse.
While Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin lymphomas are both types of cancer that start in the lymphatic system, they are often treated in different ways because some treatments work better for one type than the other. However, some treatments are used for both lymphomas – these include chemotherapy, steroid therapy and immunotherapy.
We describe the types of treatments you may have. The table below shows what treatments can be used for Hodgkin lymphoma and non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
Treatment options for each lymphoma
Treatment | Hodgkin (HL) | Non-Hodgkin (NHL) |
| watchful waiting | rarely used | can be used with low-grade NHL |
| chemotherapy | a main treatment, often combined with radiation therapy | a main treatment, often combined with other drug therapies |
| radiation therapy | a main treatment, often combined with chemotherapy | can be used for low-grade NHL, and sometimes after chemotherapy |
| steroid therapy | often used with chemotherapy | often used with chemotherapy |
| targeted therapy | used sometimes | used for some types of NHL |
| immunotherapy | checkpoint inhibitors may be used | may be used for some types of NHL |
| CAR T-cell therapy | rarely used | used for some B-cell lymphomas that have come back or not responded to other treatment |
| stem cell transplant | can be used if cancer comes back or does not respond to treatment | can be used if cancer comes back or does not respond to treatment |
Watchful waiting
If you are diagnosed with low-grade non-Hodgkin lymphoma, you may not need treatment straightaway. Instead, you may have regular check-ups to monitor the lymphoma. This approach is called watchful waiting (or watch and wait). It is rarely used with Hodgkin lymphoma.
Watchful waiting does not mean that nothing is done. You will still see the doctor regularly to check for signs the lymphoma is progressing.
Having treatment earlier than necessary can cause side effects. Many people who have no treatment for low-grade non-Hodgkin lymphoma continue their usual daily activities for many years. Some people find watchful waiting hard to accept and prefer to have treatment immediately. If waiting for treatment makes you feel anxious, speak with your treatment team.
Fertility and treatment for lymphoma
Some types of chemotherapy and radiation therapy can affect the ability to have children naturally.
If you produce sperm, you may not make as many. If you have periods, they may become irregular or stop permanently (menopause). Most people treated for lymphoma don’t become infertile. Your doctor will talk to you about the risk and refer you to a fertility specialist if it may be an issue for you. If there is enough time before treatment begins, you may be able to preserve some semen or freeze embryos or eggs.
Learn more about fertility and cancer.
→ READ MORE: Making treatment decisions
On the first day of my treatment, I ate plain foods and reduced caffeine. I wrote down my drug regime, so I was clear on what to take and when.
Amy
Podcast: Making Treatment Decisions
Listen to more episodes from our podcast for people affected by cancer
Video: Understanding cancer tests, treatment and support
Being told you have cancer can be overwhelming — but you’re not alone. This video explains what happens after a diagnosis, the different treatment options, and how Cancer Council can support you.
Click on Settings 
to turn on auto-generated subtitles in your language.
Video: Centrelink payments
Discover the financial support options available if you need to stop working due to illness. Learn about Centrelink payments, healthcare cards, and resources from the Cancer Council to help manage your financial situation.
Click on Settings to turn on auto-generated subtitles in your language.
Video: Insurance and superannuation
Discover the financial support options available if you need to stop working due to illness. Learn about Centrelink payments, healthcare cards, and resources from the Cancer Council to help manage your financial situation.
Click on Settings to turn on auto-generated subtitles in your language.
More resources
Dr Ian Bilmon, Haematologist, Westmead Hospital and Sydney Adventist Hospital, NSW; Suzanne Basha, Consumer; Jo Cryer, Clinical Nurse Consultant Haematology, St George Hospital, NSW; Jessica Elliott, Senior Social Worker, Youth Cancer Services, Crown Princess Mary Centre Westmead, NSW; Dr Robin Gasiorowski, Haematologist, Concord and Macquarie University Hospitals, NSW; Prof Angela Hong, Radiation Oncologist, Chris O’Brien Lifehouse, Melanoma Institute Australia, GenesisCare, and Clinical Professor, The University of Sydney, NSW; Karen Maddock, CAR T Cell and Cell Therapy Nurse Practitioner, Westmead Hospital, NSW; Jenn Partenfelder, 13 11 20 Consultant, Cancer Council NSW; Elise Toyer, Clinical Nurse Consultant Haematology, Blacktown Hospital, NSW.
View the Cancer Council NSW editorial policy.
