There are various factors that may increase one’s risk of developing Lymphoma. These include age, gender, and family history. Those aged between 15 to 40 or those over 55 are at higher risk of developing Lymphoma. Similarly, men are more likely to develop Lymphoma when compared to women.

For many patients diagnosed with Lymphoma, no risk factors can be changed. However, some studies indicate that building and maintaining a strong immune system may help lower your risk of developing Lymphoma. For example, staying within a healthy weight range, keeping active, and following a nutrient-dense diet which has less red meats and processed foods may help reduce the risk of developing Lymphoma.

Some of the most common initial signs of Lymphoma include painless swellings in the neck, armpits, or groin, persistent fatigue, and night sweats. Patients may also report shortness of breath and unexplained weight loss as some of the first signs of Lymphoma.

A blood test alone is usually insufficient to make a diagnosis of Lymphoma.

A diagnosis of Lymphoma is usually confirmed through a combination of a detailed clinical assessment, blood tests, a PET-CT scan as well a biopsy of the affected lymph nodes. In many patients, a bone marrow evaluation will also be performed as part of staging to assess whether there is Lymphoma involvement in the bone marrow.

Lymphoma of the brain or spinal cord, also known as primary central nervous system (CNS) Lymphoma, is a rare form of leukaemia which begins in the lymph tissue of the brain or spinal cord. However, Lymphoma of the brain or the spinal cord is rare, with around only 4 in every 100 brain or spinal cord tumours (4%) being Lymphomas..

Sometimes, particularly in patients with aggressive stage 3 or 4 Lymphoma, the disease can also spread to the Central Nervous System.

Patients diagnosed with Lymphoma should aim to eat a healthy and balanced diet to supplement the body. This should consist of a high-fibre diet made up of fruits and vegetables while avoiding saturated fats found in highly processed foods.

While there is no specific diet for patients diagnosed with Lymphoma, sticking to a nutrient-dense, well-balanced diet can help support your body as you undergo treatment. Try to include complex carbohydrates, lean proteins, healthy fats, and ample fresh fruits and vegetables.

This often depends on the sub-type of Lymphoma. Some low-grade forms of Lymphoma can be very slow progressing and may just need observation with no active therapy..

However, high-grade sub-types of Lymphoma can be very aggressive, and patients can become seriously unwell in a matter of weeks to months without proper treatment

While high-grade Lymphomas tend to progress more rapidly, a good proportion of high-grade Lymphomas can be effectively treated with a low risk of relapse..

Low-grade Lymphomas often respond well to treatments available. However, they are not usually cured and may recur eventually over time.

Low-grade Lymphomas tend to respond well to the available therapies. However, many of these Lymphomas tend to recur over time..

While a significant proportion of high-grade Lymphomas can be successfully treated with chemotherapy, certain forms of high-grade Lymphomas are highly aggressive as determined by their Lymphoma sub-type (from the analysis of the tissue biopsy). Unfortunately, many of these aggressive forms of Lymphoma have a poorer prognosis.

If the Lymphoma isn’t growing at an accelerated rate or causing problems, it can be watched closely without treatment over a period. If treatment is required, it depends on the stage of the Lymphoma. When the Lymphoma is only in one lymph node or area (stage I), it may be treated with radiation therapy. The majority of patients with Lymphoma require treatment with a combination of chemotherapy and targeted drug therapy.

During radiation therapy, you will be asked to lie on a table and a large machine will move around you to direct the beams of energy to the affected lymph nodes and destroy them.

Some biological therapy medications used for Lymphoma treatments are rituximab, ibrutinib and ibritumomab tiuxetan.

In order for doctors to determine if your bone marrow transplant is successful, your blood count levels need to return to normal along with your immune system. This can take between 6 to 12 months. Our transplant team will continue to monitor you during this period for any issues that may surface.

There are a number of complications that can occur after a stem cell transplant. These include both short term and long term complications.

Patients may experience short term complications such as mouth and throat pain, vomiting or nausea, infection, or graft-versus-host-disease (GVHD). Longer-term complications include disease relapse, GVHD, cardiac and hormonal changes, as well as secondary cancers.

Our transplant team will work closely with you through the different phases of your transplant to monitor, prevent and manage any such complications.

CAR-T cell therapy has been shown to be effective in patients with B-cell Lymphoma who have relapsed or refractory diffuse large B-cell Lymphoma, transformed Follicular Lymphoma, as well as primary mediastinal B-cell Lymphoma.

In Singapore, the current approved form of CAR-T is indicated for patients with Diffuse Large B-cell Lymphoma (DLBCL) who have previously failed at least 2 lines of standard treatment.

Common complications related to Lymphoma treatment include:

• Hair loss
• Gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea and vomiting
• Lethargy
• Sore mouth
• Sore skin from radiation
• Increased risk of infections

Patients treated for Lymphoma are also at increased risk for longer-term complications, including cardiac issues, reduced fertility and an increased risk of secondary cancers..

Our team at CFCH will guide you through the potential complications of your therapy and discuss the best approaches towards managing your symptoms.

Most Lymphoma cases are treated with a combination of chemotherapy agents and sometimes targeted therapy. Patients are often treated in cycles of therapy using the same drug combination every few weeks to gradually eliminate the Lymphoma..

Patients usually receive 6-8 cycles of treatment depending on the disease stage and sub-type. Upfront treatment for Lymphoma can last typically for 4-6 months. Our haematology specialists at CFCH will be able to advise you in detail on your specific treatment pathway.

The cost of Lymphoma treatment in Singapore varies depending on factors such as your type of Lymphoma and the treatment plan recommended for you. For more information on the cost of Lymphoma in Singapore and the insurance claims you may be eligible for, get in touch with us at CFCH.