NHL marginal zone

Hi Jenkins,

Welcome to the online community and I hope you find the support and information helpful.

It can be a very anxious time waiting for results that will help decide what is the best treatment for your NHL. A group of experts called a multidisciplinary team (MDT) will meet to plan your treatment. After the meeting, your specialist will talk to you about the treatment options. This depends on the types, grade and stage of the NHL . It will also depend on your general health and what you may prefer.

You wrote about some treatments you may have, and concerns about side effects .

Some side effects are more common than others, but you will not have them all. Unfortunately, there is no way to predict who will get what and to what extent. Sometimes the side effects of chemo can be unpleasant, but it can help to remember that: 

• most side effects are short term during treatment
• they’ll begin to go once the treatment has completed
• patients can have medicines and support to reduce most side effects and help to manage them.

Have a look below for details of how each treatment may be given and possible side effects.

  Bendamustine and Rituximab  

  R-CHOP

 Hair loss or hair thinning are possible side effects of both of these treatments. Many people wonder whether they can have their own hair cut off and made into a wig. This may only be possible if your natural hair is long and in good condition. Even if it is, you may not have enough hair to make a full wig. This is a specialised technique, so it will be expensive and will usually take at least 10 weeks to make.

Cancer haircare offers free support and advice.

Their contact number is 01438 311 322.

You have asked about whether you will have a line into your chest or arm, and either is possible with the treatments you have mentioned.

IV chemotherapy can be given through a soft plastic tube called a cannula or  

through a central  line  a PICC line or an Implantable Port   .Your consultant and clinical nurse specialist will discuss this with you .It may be helpful to have a look over some of the advantages and disadvantages of each before your consultation .

You will be wearing your own clothes during chemotherapy and when getting a cannula inserted, and a hospital gown if you need a central line inserted.

Your consultant and clinical nurse specialist are best placed to inform and support you with your treatment plan .Here are some questions you may want to discuss with your healthcare team .

I hope that this information is helpful. If you have any other questions, please don’t hesitate to get in touch again. We often find that we can help people more by talking to them directly.  You can speak to one of our experienced cancer information nurses by calling our free helpline on 0808 808 00 00 seven days a week 8am – 8pm. You can also email us back and we aim to reply within two working day

Our ref: BS/ED