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Lymphoma FAQs
Are my family members at risk of developing lymphoma?
Can I take any nutritional supplements during chemotherapy?
Can I exercise while I am receiving chemotherapy?
Why did I get lymphoma?
The origins of lymphoma are complicated and not completely understood. Part of the problem is that there are many different subtypes of lymphoma, each one with different risk factors.
The short answer for most subtypes is that we don’t know why one person may get lymphoma and another person does not. The biggest risk factors are probably related to problems with the immune system, since lymphoma is a cancer of the immune system. Interestingly, both an underactive immune system (e.g. immunodeficiency related to hereditary conditions, infections, or medications) and an overactive immune system (e.g. autoimmune disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis) are associated with the development of lymphoma. However, the majority of people with these risk factors never develop lymphoma, suggesting that additional factors play an important role. There may also be some genetic risk factors, but it unlikely a specific genetic mutation would be sufficient to cause lymphoma in the absence of other events. back to top
Are my family members at risk of developing lymphoma?
Some cancers are definitely associated with hereditary risk factors (e.g. breast cancer and inheritance of specific BRCA gene mutations). Whether or not lymphoma may have a hereditary component is unclear. For the most part, the answer appears to be that there is no significant increase in risk among family members. A small percentage of people with lymphoma however, may have an inherited risk factor that other family members may share. It is important to remember that the absolute risk of developing lymphoma is very low, so a small increase in relative risk still results in a fairly low absolute risk that a family member will develop lymphoma. back to top
Will I lose my hair?
Hair loss, also called alopecia, is a common side effect of many chemotherapy drugs. Whether or not a person experiences hair loss depends in part on the drugs that they receive and in part on personal factors (i.e. luck). Many new, “targeted” drugs do not cause hair loss. Your doctor can tell you what drugs you are receiving and can discuss the likelihood of hair loss.
Hair loss is an emotionally charged issue that can serve as a visible reminder of the challenges that cancer patients face. Although hair loss cannot always be avoided, there are a number of ways to deal with it. This may be the time to explore the world of hats or fashionable scarves. Wigs are available at many specialty stores and are often paid for by insurance. It can also be helpful to remember that chemotherapy-related hair loss is not permanent. back to top
Can I take nutritional supplements during chemotherapy?
Nutritional supplements range from over-the-counter vitamins to various natural or naturopathic compounds prescribed by alternative health care practitioners. Many people take supplements during their regular life and want to know whether they can continue during chemotherapy. Other people want to start new supplements during chemotherapy to make the cancer go away faster or avoid treatment-related side effects.
Unfortunately, there is very little published data regarding the safety or effectiveness of combining supplements with more conventional chemotherapy regimens. It is important to remember that natural or not, all supplements may contain active ingredients with the potential to interact with other medications. Regardless of the drugs or supplements you are considering taking, it is important to have an open discussion with your doctor. back to top
Can I exercise while receiving chemotherapy?
The decision to exercise during chemotherapy is a personal one. There is no evidence that exercise is likely to improve or worsen response to treatment. However, regular aerobic exercise can improve physical functioning and quality of life in patients undergoing chemotherapy for lymphoma. If you are interested in beginning and exercise program, ask your doctor if he or she has any concerns. back to top
New Developments in Lymphoma 