Blood disordersCancer

Treating an aggressive form of Non-Hodgkin lymphoma

Learn about the goals of treatment, the treatment options and the important questions to ask your healthcare team.

Jan, 2026
LearnHematologyNon-hodgkin lymphomaTreating an aggressive form of Non-Hodgkin lymphoma
Slide 1
Treatment goals
First-line treatments
Stem cell transplant
Tests to monitor NHL
Questions to ask your doctor

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Slide 1

Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL) is a type of cancer that begins in white blood cells called lymphocytes, which are part of the immune system. There are more than 60 different subtypes of NHL. These are categorized based on the type of lymphocytes in which the cancer cells develop, the appearance of the cancer cells, the genetic features of the cancer cells and other factors.

NHL is also categorized as indolent or aggressive. Indolent NHLs grow slowly, and may not be treated until symptoms appear. Aggressive NHLs spread quickly and will require fast and intense treatment.

Here, you will learn more about the goals for treating the aggressive types of this disease. You will also learn about available treatments, tests used to monitor your condition and questions to ask your doctor.

Written bySharecare Editorial Team.
Medically reviewed byAnn Wendling, MD, MPH.November, 2023
Sources: Cancer.net. “Lymphoma - Non-Hodgkin: Subtypes.” August 2019. Accessed October 9 + 28
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  6. Cancer.net. “Lymphoma - Non-Hodgkin: Symptoms and Signs.” August 2019. Accessed October 9, 2020.
  7. MedicineNet. “Mantle Cell Lymphoma.” 2020. Accessed October 9, 2020.
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  13. Merck Manual Consumer Version. “Radiation Therapy for Cancer.” September 2020. Accessed October 9, 2020.
  14. American Cancer Society. “Immunotherapy for Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma.” August 3, 2020. Accessed October 9, 2020.
  15. Cancer.net. “Understanding Immunotherapy.” May 2020. Accessed October 9, 2020.
  16. MedicineNet. “More Aggressive Chemo May Help Younger Lymphoma Patients: Study.” November 24, 2011.
  17. NH Fowler. “Role of Maintenance Rituximab (Rituxan) Therapy In the Treatment of Follicular Lymphoma.” P & T: A Peer-Reviewed Journal for Formulary Management. September 2011. 36(9), 590–598.
  18. Cancer.net. “Understanding Maintenance Therapy.” May 2019. Accessed October 9, 2020.
  19. Cancer.net. “Bone Marrow/Stem Cell Transplantation.” 2020. Accessed October 9, 2020.
  20. American Cancer Society. “Types of Stem Cell and Bone Marrow Transplants.” March 2020. Accessed October 9, 2020.
  21. American Cancer Society. “Getting a Stem Cell or Bone Marrow Transplant.” March 2020. Accessed October 9, 2020.
  22. MedlinePlus. “Pelvic CT scan.” December 23, 2018. Accessed October 9, 2020.
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  24. National Cancer Institute. “PET scan.” 2020. Accessed October 9, 2020.
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  27. National Cancer Institute. “Hematopoietic stem cell.” 2020. Accessed October 13, 2020.
  28. Johns Hopkins Medicine/The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center. “Types of Bone Marrow Transplants.”
  29. Sarah C. Rutherford. “Surveillance Scanning in Lymphoma.” Clinical Advances in Hematology & Oncology. June 2019 - Volume 17, Issue 6.

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