Understanding Your Early-Stage Lymphoma Diagnosis

A diagnosis of lymphoma can be a lot to process. This guide is designed to provide clear, actionable information about your condition, specifically focusing on early-stage disease. Our goal is to empower you with knowledge so you can have productive and confident conversations with your healthcare team.

What is Lymphoma? A Patient's Guide to the Basics

Lymphoma is a type of cancer that begins in the lymphocytes, a crucial type of white blood cell that is part of your immune system. These cells are primarily found in the lymphatic system, a network of tissues and organs that help the body fight off infections. The lymphatic system includes the lymph nodes, spleen, thymus and bone marrow.

When a person has lymphoma, these lymphocytes grow and divide uncontrollably. This can lead to swollen lymph nodes and other symptoms. Lymphoma is broadly categorized into two main types:

Hodgkin Lymphoma (HL): This type is characterized by the presence of a specific type of abnormal cell called the Reed-Sternberg cell. It typically spreads in an orderly, predictable manner from one group of lymph nodes to the next.

Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma (NHL): This category includes all other types of lymphoma. There are many subtypes of NHL, which are classified based on the type of lymphocyte they affect (B-cells or T-cells) and how quickly they grow.

What Does "Early-Stage" Mean?

In simple terms, "early-stage" or "Stage 1" lymphoma means the cancer is localized. It's found in only one lymph node group or in one specific area of the body. In many cases, especially for Hodgkin lymphoma and certain types of non-Hodgkin lymphoma, an early diagnosis is associated with a high chance of a cure.

How Is Lymphoma Diagnosed? The Diagnostic Process

The first sign of lymphoma is often a painless swelling in a lymph node, commonly in the neck, armpit or groin. Other symptoms, known as "B symptoms," can include unexplained fever, drenching night sweats and significant weight loss.

To confirm a diagnosis and determine the stage of the disease, your doctor will use a series of tests:

Biopsy: This is the most definitive test. A surgeon will remove all or part of an affected lymph node for examination under a microscope. This is essential to identify the specific type of lymphoma.

Imaging Tests: Scans like a PET-CT or a CT scan are used to see if the lymphoma has spread to other areas of the body. These images are critical for accurately staging the disease.

Blood Tests: These are used to check for markers of the disease and assess your overall health, including your blood cell counts, which can be affected by the lymphoma.

Treatment Options for Early-Stage Lymphoma

The treatment for early-stage lymphoma is highly personalized and depends on the specific type of lymphoma you have. The goal is to eradicate the cancer with a plan that minimizes long-term side effects.

Hodgkin Lymphoma

For early-stage Hodgkin lymphoma, the standard approach often involves a combination of treatments, known as combined modality therapy:

Chemotherapy: This is a regimen of drugs designed to kill cancer cells. The most common regimen is ABVD (Adriamycin, Bleomycin, Vinblastine, Dacarbazine) or A+AVD (Brentuximab Vedotin, Doxorubicin, Vinblastine, Dacarbazine) given over a few cycles.

Radiation Therapy: High-energy beams are used to target and destroy cancer cells in a specific, localized area. This is often used to treat the lymph node group where the cancer originated.

Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma (NHL)

Treatment for early-stage NHL depends on whether the subtype is considered "indolent" (slow-growing) or "aggressive" (fast-growing).

Indolent NHL (e.g., Follicular Lymphoma): Because these are slow-growing, some Stage 1 cases may be monitored with a "watch and wait" approach. For others, a simple course of radiation therapy to the affected area may be all that is needed.

Aggressive NHL (e.g., Diffuse Large B-cell Lymphoma): These require prompt treatment. The standard is often a chemotherapy regimen called R-CHOP (Rituximab, Cyclophosphamide, Doxorubicin, Vincristine, Prednisone). For early-stage disease, this is typically given for a few cycles, and sometimes followed by radiation therapy.

Managing Side Effects of Lymphoma Treatment

Treatments for lymphoma, while highly effective, can cause a range of side effects. It is vital to communicate openly with your healthcare team about any symptoms you experience. Many of these effects can be managed with supportive care.

Fatigue: This is a very common side effect of both chemotherapy and radiation.

Nausea and Vomiting: Medications are available to help manage these gastrointestinal issues.

Hair Loss: Chemotherapy often causes temporary hair loss, while radiation can cause localized hair loss in the treated area.

Skin Changes: The skin in the treated area may become red, dry, or itchy due to radiation.

Beyond traditional medical treatments, many patients find relief from side effects by incorporating complementary therapies. Follicular lymphoma survivor Troy Anderson found that acupuncture became a valuable part of his care during early treatment, noting that it helped manage stress and reduce inflammation..

“I started doing acupuncture really early in my treatment when I got Keytruda (pembrolizumab). I began acupuncture then, and I still do it now,” he explained in an interview with CURE. “The ability to keep inflammation down helped a lot... I also brought in a naturopathic oncology specialist and met with him several times to talk about nutrition, side effect management, and related topics. That was valuable”

Your Journey Forward: Conclusion and Next Steps

Receiving a diagnosis of early-stage lymphoma can be overwhelming, but it is important to remember that this disease is often very treatable. With today's advanced therapies, many people go on to live long, healthy lives.

For a new perspective on the journey, we can look to the words of Daniel Jernazian, a two-time cancer survivor. He shared his story in an interview with CURE, aiming to give hope to others, saying, “Think about how far you’ve come. Use every bit of strength in your life — mental, emotional, spiritual — to push forward.”

“Have the courage to face cancer... letting it know you will earn your respect one way or another. I share many quotes in my book, like, 'Hope is a good thing, maybe the best of things, and no good thing ever dies.' That mindset is what I’ve instilled,” he added.

The most important step you can take now is to work closely with your healthcare team. Use this information as a foundation for your conversations. Ask questions, discuss your concerns, and share any side effects you experience so your team can make the best decisions for your care and well-being.

Editor’s Note: This guide is designed to be a starting point. Your personal experience will be unique. By using this information as a foundation for your discussions, you can partner with your oncologist to make the best decisions for your health.

References

1. “A Survivor and Patient Advocate Reflects on Beating Cancer Twice,” by Spencer Feldman. CURE; July 9, 2025. https://www.curetoday.com/view/a-survivor-and-patient-advocate-reflects-on-beating-cancer-twice
2. “Survivor Shares How Acupuncture and Nutrition Supported Treatment,” by Spencer Feldman. CURE; Aug. 13, 2025. https://www.curetoday.com/view/survivor-shares-how-acupuncture-and-nutrition-supported-treatment

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