Lymphoma Treatment

Lymphoma is a type of malignant tumor originating from the lymphatic system. It affects a wide range of people, commonly seen in young and middle-aged adults as well as the elderly. Without timely treatment, the condition may worsen rapidly, impair immune function, and damage organ health. Treatment options are diverse, but missing the optimal treatment window reduces the cure rate and quality of life.

Emerging Treatment Methods

Immune Reconstitution Cell Therapy

Immune reconstitution cell therapy uses the patient’s own or donor immune cells, which are activated and expanded to strengthen the immune system’s ability to recognize and eliminate tumors. This therapy can specifically target lymphoma cells and reduce the risk of recurrence.

① Activates the patient’s immune system to enhance anti-tumor efficacy.

② Regulates the tumor microenvironment to suppress tumor growth.

③ Can be combined with other therapies to improve overall effectiveness.

In clinical practice, lymphoma patients often experience immune dysfunction, increased infection risks, and slow recovery due to surgery, chemotherapy, or radiotherapy. To better support patients during treatment, improve tolerance, and enhance survival and quality of life, a phased and scientifically designed immune reconstitution plan is necessary.

● Short-term plan: Rapidly improve immunity through immune cell transfusion, enhancing the effect of anti-tumor therapies.

● Mid-term plan: Reduce side effects of conventional therapies, promote recovery, and help complete standard treatment courses.

● Long-term plan: Enhance overall immunity by rebuilding immune cells, gut immunity, elemental immunity, and nutritional immunity to improve quality of life and extend survival.

Conventional Treatment Methods

1. Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy is the traditional mainstay for lymphoma treatment, using drugs to kill rapidly dividing cancer cells. Common regimens include CHOP and ABVD, usually administered over multiple cycles. Chemotherapy effectively controls the disease but requires monitoring for side effects such as bone marrow suppression and nausea.

2. Radiotherapy

Radiotherapy targets localized lymphoma lesions by using high-energy radiation to damage the DNA of cancer cells, reducing tumor size. It is often used for early-stage localized lymphoma or as postoperative adjuvant therapy to improve local control.

3. Targeted Therapy

Targeted therapy identifies specific molecules on lymphoma cells for precise killing. Anti-CD20 monoclonal antibodies (e.g., Rituximab) are representative drugs, often combined with chemotherapy to improve treatment outcomes and reduce toxicity.

4. Minimally Invasive Treatments

Some patients may undergo minimally invasive techniques for symptom relief or localized treatment, such as lymph node biopsy combined with local ablation. These methods reduce trauma and recovery time, typically serving as adjuncts to systemic therapy.

5. Interventional Chemoembolization

A catheter is inserted into the femoral artery to deliver chemotherapy drugs and embolic agents (such as drug-loaded microspheres) into the tumor’s blood vessels. For hepatic/splenic large B-cell lymphoma, this increases local drug concentration tenfold and significantly lowers systemic toxicity, enhancing the effect when combined with systemic chemotherapy.

6. Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation

For relapsed or refractory lymphoma, hematopoietic stem cell transplantation is an important treatment option. After high-dose chemotherapy, healthy stem cells are transplanted to restore hematopoiesis and immune function, prolonging survival.

7. Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA)

Under CT guidance, an electrode needle is inserted into the lymph node, where high temperature ablates the tumor. This method is best for superficial or isolated lymphomas (e.g., splenic marginal zone lymphoma) smaller than 3 cm. It is performed under local anesthesia with quick recovery, but unsuitable for diffuse cases.

8. Photodynamic Therapy (PDT)

After intravenous injection of a photosensitizer, laser light is directed at skin/mucosal lesions. This treatment selectively kills malignant cells in T-cell lymphoma (e.g., mycosis fungoides). It leaves no scars, can be repeated, but requires light protection for one month.

Conclusion

Lymphoma treatment options are extensive, with immune reconstitution cell therapy representing a significant breakthrough. Experts from United Life International Medical Center emphasize that individualized treatment strategies are key to improving cure rates, with early diagnosis and comprehensive therapy being inseparable.