New Delhi: Advanced treatments such as targeted therapy, CAR-T cell therapy and bone marrow transplant (BMT) are yielding better outcomes for patients of lymphoma, a type of blood cancer that affects the immune system, experts said on Monday.
The month of September is celebrated as World Lymphoma Awareness Month.
Lymphoma is considered a fairly common cancer in India and develops in white blood cells called lymphocytes. It accounts for about 3-4 percent of all cancers globally and is divided into two main types: Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) and non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL), with NHL being the more common form.
In India, the incidence of lymphoma is about 1.8-2.5 cases per 100,000 people annually, with NHL being more prevalent, especially in older adults. Survival rates for lymphoma have improved significantly over the years, with 5-year survival rates of about 86 percent for HL and about 72 percent for NHL.
Hodgkin's develops primarily in the upper part of the body, such as the neck, chest or armpits, while non-Hodgkin's develops in lymph nodes anywhere in the body.
Dr Ashish Gupta, Medical Oncologist at Unique Hospital Cancer Centre, New Delhi, told IANS, “Modern treatment modalities along with safe and effective treatment options like targeted therapy, CAR-T cell therapy and BMT have helped in improving the clinical outcomes to a great extent. Many patients recover successfully even after being declared terminal, due to the use of innovative modules, proving to be an effective treatment option.”
Early detection is particularly important for Hodgkin lymphoma, as cure rates are much higher when detected early.
Raising awareness helps people recognise key symptoms such as swollen lymph nodes, fever, night sweats and fatigue, which are often misunderstood as common illnesses.
Dr CN Patil, head and principal consultant, department of medical oncology and hemato-oncology, Aster RV Hospital, told IANS, “Immunotherapy, especially CAR-T cell therapy, has emerged as a breakthrough for the treatment of certain types of lymphomas, especially those that are resistant to other treatments. Precision medicine through genetic profiling allows personalised treatment strategies, increasing efficacy and minimising harm.”
Advances in technology have significantly changed the treatment of lymphoma, making it more effective and with fewer side effects.
Overall survival rates have increased, with Hodgkin lymphoma seeing a cure rate of 80–90 percent when treated in a timely manner. Non-Hodgkin lymphoma, which has several subtypes, has varying survival rates depending on the aggressiveness of the subtype, but this has improved with newer treatments.
Targeted therapies, such as drugs like rituximab and brentuximab, specifically attack cancer cells while leaving healthy cells unharmed, leading to better outcomes for patients.
Additionally, improvements in radiation therapy have made treatment more focused, reducing damage to surrounding healthy tissue and improving overall patient care.