100 Questions & Answers About Lymphoma, 2nd Edition » (2E)

EMPOWER YOURSELF!Whether you're a newly diagnosed lymphoma patient, a survivor, or a friend or relative of either, this book offers help. The only text to provide the doctor's and patient's views, 100 Questions and Answers About Lymphoma gives you authoritative, practical answers to your questions about treatment options, post-treatment quality of life, sources of support, and much more. The updated Second Edition of this text is an invaluable resource for anyone coping with the physical and emotional turmoil of this frightening disease.

Introduction v

Part 1 The Basics: Understanding the Immune and Circulatory Systems 1

Questions 1-7 introduce the immune and circulatory systems, describing their function and involvement in lymphoma through such questions as:

What is the immune system?

How do the components of the immune system function?

What is bone marrow?

Part 2 Diagnosis and Classification of Lymphoma 17

Questions 8-43 briefly outline the different types of lymphoma and describe their diagnosis and classification, including:

What is lymphoma?

What is the difference between Hodgkin's disease and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma?

What are the symptoms of lymphoma?

Part 3 Staging and Treatment of Lymphoma 77

Questions 44-58 provide a derailed account of the different stages of lymphoma and the methods by which the lymphoma is treated, including:

What happens after I'm told I have lymphoma?

Should I get a second opinion?

Apart from the biopsy, what other information is needed?

Part 4 Chemotherapy and Radiation Therapy 109

Questions 59-76 discuss the goals and side effects of two common forms of therapy for lymphoma, including:

What is chemotherapy?

What chemotherapy drugs are used to treat lymphoma?

How is chemotherapy given?

Part 5 Other Therapies 141

Questions 77-96 describe methods of treatment beyond chemotherapy and radiation therapy, including new treatments, experimental therapies, and alternative medicine, including:

What is immunotherapy

What are monoclonal antibodies?

How is rituximab (Rituxan) administered?

Part 6 Coping with Lymphoma 171

Questions 97-100 address common concerns for the lymphoma patient's daily life, such as:

Can Icontinue to work?

Should I join a support group?

If I am dying, how do I cope?

Appendix 177

A list of web sites, organizations, and literature to help lymphoma patients and their families find additional resources on general and specific topics related to lymphoma

Glossary 183

Index 193