When should I call my care team?

Fever of 100.4 F (38 C) or higher, or chills; Confusion, trouble speaking, shaking, or being very hard to wake up, especially after CAR T-cell therapy or a bispecific antibody; Trouble breathing, chest pain, or a fast heartbeat; Swelling of the face, neck, or arms, or new trouble swallowing; Bleeding that will not stop, or new bruises or tiny red spots on the skin; Dizziness or fainting; Vomiting or diarrhea that will not stop, or you cannot keep fluids down; New weakness, numbness, severe headache, or vision changes; Yellow skin or eyes.

What chemotherapy plans are used for lymphoma?

Common treatment plans include AAVD, ABVD, BEAM, BV-CHP, DA-EPOCH-R, R-CHOP, R-DHAP, R-GemOx, RICE. Your care team picks the plan that fits your cancer and your health.

Lymphoma

Lymphoma is a group of blood cancers with many good treatment options, and many people are cured or live well for years.

Hi, I'm Rosa. Today we'll go through lymphoma together, one step at a time. I'll keep it simple, and you can pause me, go back, or skip ahead whenever you like. Just so you know, this is for learning only. It is not medical advice, so please check everything with your own doctor and care team. Okay, let's get started.

What lymphoma is

Let's start with the basics. Lymphoma is a cancer of lymphocytes. Lymphocytes are white blood cells that fight infection. They live in your lymph nodes, spleen, bone marrow, and blood. Lymph nodes are small, bean-shaped glands. In lymphoma, one type of lymphocyte grows out of control. This often makes lymph nodes swell. Some people get fevers, soaking night sweats, or weight loss. Many people only notice a painless lump. Some types grow fast, and others grow slowly. Your care team will explain the goal of treatment for you.

The main types

Let's talk briefly about the types. There are two main groups. Hodgkin lymphoma has large, unusual cells. It is most common in young adults and older adults. Non-Hodgkin lymphoma is the larger group, with many subtypes. Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma is the most common lymphoma. It grows fast, so it is treated soon. Follicular lymphoma is the most common slow-growing type. Many people with it do not need treatment right away. Double-hit lymphoma grows fast and may need stronger treatment. There are other rare subtypes too. Ask your care team which one you have.

Tests you may have

Now let's talk about tests. A biopsy is the key test. A doctor removes a lymph node, or part of one. It is checked under a microscope. A PET-CT scan shows where the lymphoma is. Later, it shows how well treatment worked. Blood tests check your counts, liver, and kidneys. You will also be tested for hepatitis and other infections. Some people need a bone marrow biopsy. A heart ultrasound or breathing tests may come before some medicines. A spinal tap is done only in some cases. You can read more about each test in the guide.

What the stage means

Next up, let's talk about stages. The stage tells how far the lymphoma has spread. Why do doctors use stages? They help your care team plan treatment. They also help everyone talk the same language. There are four stages. Stages 1 and 2 are called early stage. Stages 3 and 4 are called advanced stage. A high stage does not always mean it cannot be cured. Your stage may also have a letter. The letter B means fevers, night sweats, or weight loss. Your doctor will explain what your stage means for you.

Subtype and lab tests

Before we move to treatment, there are some things to know. Lab tests on your biopsy show your exact subtype. This matters because each subtype is treated differently. The lab looks for markers on the cell surface. It also looks for changes in certain genes. There are many different markers. Each one has a different role. Some point to medicines that target that marker. You do not need to memorize them. Your doctor will tell you which ones you have and what they mean. You can read more in the guide. The Questions to ask page can help too.

Main treatment options

Now let's look at treatment. For some slow-growing types, watch and wait is an option. You have regular visits, and treatment starts if needed. Chemotherapy is often combined with an antibody medicine. Radiation aims high energy beams at one area. Targeted medicines carry a strong drug straight to lymphoma cells. Another option changes your own immune cells in a lab to fight lymphoma. Other medicines bring your immune cells right to the lymphoma. A stem cell transplant may help if lymphoma comes back. Clinical trials are research studies that may offer new options. Ask your care team if one fits you.

Side effects and what helps

Let's talk about side effects. Treatment can lower the cells that fight germs. Wash your hands often, and call right away for a fever. Feeling very tired is common. Short walks and rest can help. Nausea medicine works best taken before you feel sick. Some medicines cause tingling in the hands and feet. Tell your team early. Some immune treatments can cause fever or confusion. Caregivers should watch for this and call right away. Hair often grows back after treatment. We have a whole side effects guide on this site.

Living well with it

Last, let's talk about living well. After treatment, you will have regular checkups. Tell your team about new lumps, fevers, sweats, or weight loss. Some treatments can affect the heart or fertility years later. Ask what checkups you need. Staying active and not smoking both help. It is normal to feel worried or low. Support groups and counselors can help. Call right away for a fever, trouble breathing, or new confusion. If it feels very bad, call 911. Also see our new Screening, prevention and survivorship section.

You did great today. That was a lot, and you took it one step at a time. Write down your questions and bring them to your next visit. Call your care team any time something worries you. You are not alone in this.

Call your care team right away if you have

Fever of 100.4 F (38 C) or higher, or chills
Confusion, trouble speaking, shaking, or being very hard to wake up, especially after CAR T-cell therapy or a bispecific antibody
Trouble breathing, chest pain, or a fast heartbeat
Swelling of the face, neck, or arms, or new trouble swallowing
Bleeding that will not stop, or new bruises or tiny red spots on the skin
Dizziness or fainting
Vomiting or diarrhea that will not stop, or you cannot keep fluids down
New weakness, numbness, severe headache, or vision changes
Yellow skin or eyes

Treatment plans (regimens)

Medicines often used

Side effects: what helps

Sources

Quick answers

What is lymphoma?: Lymphoma is a cancer of lymphocytes. Lymphocytes are white blood cells that help fight infection. They live in your lymph nodes, spleen, bone marrow, and blood. Lymph nodes are small, bean-shaped glands. You have them in your neck, armpits, chest, belly, and groin. In lymphoma, one type of lymphocyte grows out of control. This often makes lymph nodes swell.
When should I call my care team?: Fever of 100.4 F (38 C) or higher, or chills; Confusion, trouble speaking, shaking, or being very hard to wake up, especially after CAR T-cell therapy or a bispecific antibody; Trouble breathing, chest pain, or a fast heartbeat; Swelling of the face, neck, or arms, or new trouble swallowing; Bleeding that will not stop, or new bruises or tiny red spots on the skin; Dizziness or fainting; Vomiting or diarrhea that will not stop, or you cannot keep fluids down; New weakness, numbness, severe headache, or vision changes; Yellow skin or eyes.
What chemotherapy plans are used for lymphoma?: Common treatment plans include AAVD, ABVD, BEAM, BV-CHP, DA-EPOCH-R, R-CHOP, R-DHAP, R-GemOx, RICE. Your care team picks the plan that fits your cancer and your health.

Last updated: 2026-10-27. Medically reviewed by Veli Bakalov, MD, medical oncologist (October 2026). General education from Step by Step, the patient portal of HemeOncBuddy.