Information for the public
Medical terms explained
Medical terms explained
Chemotherapy
A treatment that uses anticancer drugs to destroy cancer cells. In non‑Hodgkin lymphoma it is often used together with an antibody drug called rituximab – this is sometimes called 'immunochemotherapy'.
High-grade
Non‑Hodgkin lymphomas are divided into 2 types, high‑grade and low‑grade. A high‑grade ('aggressive') lymphoma is made up of large cells and usually grows quickly.
Late effects
These are side effects of treatment that can appear months or even years after treatment has finished.
Low-grade
Non‑Hodgkin lymphomas are divided into 2 types, high‑grade and low‑grade. A low‑grade ('indolent') lymphoma is made up of small cells, and usually grows slowly and can take a long time to develop. Sometimes a low‑grade lymphoma can transform into a high‑grade lymphoma.
Off-label medicines
In the UK, medicines are licensed to show that they work well enough and are safe enough to be used for specific conditions and groups of people. Some medicines can also be helpful for conditions or people they are not specifically licensed for. This is called 'off‑label' use. There is more information about licensing medicines on NHS Choices.
PET-CT scan
A combination of a CT scan and a positron emission tomography (PET) scan. A CT scan gives a 3‑dimensional picture of the internal organs, and a PET scan shows the most active cells in the body. This helps to show which cells in your body are cancerous because lymphoma cells are usually very active.
Remission
If you are in remission it means that most or all signs of the lymphoma have gone. 'Complete' remission means that no signs of the lymphoma can be seen.
Rituximab
A type of antibody drug that helps your immune system to destroy cancer cells. In non‑Hodgkin lymphoma it is often used together with chemotherapy.
Stage 2
The lymphoma is affecting 2 or more groups of lymph nodes either above or below your diaphragm (the spleen counts as a lymph node in this definition). If your lymphoma is 'stage 2A' it means that you don't have any of the following symptoms: weight loss, heavy sweating (especially at night) or a high temperature that is not caused by infection.
Stage 3
The lymphoma is affecting lymph nodes both above and below your diaphragm (the spleen counts as a lymph node in this definition).
Stage 4
The lymphoma is found in organs outside the lymph nodes and spleen – for example, the liver or bone.
Stem cell transplant
Having high‑dose chemotherapy damages stem cells in your bone marrow – these cells are needed to make new blood cells. To help your bone marrow recover, you can be given a transplant of stem cells after your chemotherapy. In an autologous stem cell transplant, you have some stem cells collected from your blood before your chemotherapy – these are stored and then replaced after your treatment. In an allogeneic transplant the stem cells come from another person (called a donor).
Watch and wait
This means not starting treatment straight away, but waiting until it is needed. This can work well for some people with low-grade lymphoma who are feeling well, because treatment is given when it can make the greatest difference, and the side effects of treatment are avoided for longer. You will have regular check‑ups to look out for signs that you might need treatment.