Just been diagnosed with lymphoma? You're not alone, and there is a lot that can be done.

Lymphoma is a cancer of the immune system. There are many types. Some grow slowly and may not need treatment right away. Others grow faster and need treatment soon, and that treatment often aims to get rid of the lymphoma completely. Treatments have improved a great deal. Here you'll find clear, friendly guides for you and your family, one step at a time.

Updated September 30, 2026

In an emergency, call 9-1-1 or your local emergency number.

Start here

Your first 30 days: a checklist

Save the phone number of your cancer centre's 24-hour line, and ask who to call day and night.
Ask exactly what type of lymphoma you have, and whether it is slow-growing or faster-growing.
Write down your questions before each visit, and bring someone with you if you can.
Ask about fertility before treatment starts if you might want children in the future.
See your dentist, and ask your team which vaccines you should have before treatment.
Buy a digital thermometer, and learn what temperature means you need to call.
Keep an up-to-date list of all your medicines, vitamins and supplements, and share it with your team.
Tell your team if you feel low, worried or can't sleep for more than two weeks.

Your first weeks after a cancer diagnosis: A calm, step-by-step guide to the first weeks after being told you have cancer: getting organized, understanding your diagnosis, planning treatment and finding support. (6 min read)

Understand it

Lymphoma, Explained: Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin, for you and your family (video coming soon)

Understanding lymphoma: What lymphoma is, the difference between Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin lymphoma, slow-growing and faster-growing types, what the stages mean, and the tests you may have. (6 min read)

Your treatment

Chemotherapy, Explained: medicines that travel through your body (video coming soon)
R-CHOP: what to expect from this lymphoma treatment (video coming soon)
Targeted Therapy and Biologics: medicines aimed at a cancer's weak spots (video coming soon)
Immunotherapy and Checkpoint Inhibitors: helping your immune system fight cancer, and side effects to report (video coming soon)
Radiation Therapy, Explained: focused energy aimed at cancer cells (video coming soon)

Treatment options for lymphoma: A plain-language guide to lymphoma treatments: watch and wait, chemotherapy with immunotherapy, radiation, targeted drugs, stem cell transplant, CAR T-cell therapy and bispecific antibodies. (6 min read)
Clinical trials explained: What cancer clinical trials are, how the phases work, what randomization and placebos mean, how you are protected, and how to find a trial that might suit you. (6 min read)

Living well

What Exercise Does for Your Body: and how much you really need (video, 4:38)

Managing side effects of cancer treatment: Practical, friendly tips for common side effects of cancer treatment: tiredness, nausea, mouth sores, hair loss, numbness and tingling, skin changes, low blood counts and "chemo brain." Report them, don't just endure them. (7 min read)
Eating well during cancer treatment: Practical tips for eating well during cancer treatment: getting enough protein and energy, coping with poor appetite, nausea and taste changes, food safety, and what to know about supplements. (6 min read)
Your feelings matter: emotional health and support with cancer: Fear, sadness, anger and worry are common after a cancer diagnosis. Practical ways to cope, when to ask for help, crisis support (9-8-8), talking with family, and support for caregivers. (6 min read)
Work, money and practical matters: Practical help after a cancer diagnosis: telling your employer, time off and benefits, fertility preservation before treatment, getting to appointments, and keeping paperwork in order. (6 min read)

When to get help

Call 9-1-1 now

Trouble breathing, or breathing that suddenly gets much worse
Chest pain or pressure
Swelling of the face, neck or arms that comes with trouble breathing
Fainting, or confusion that comes on suddenly
A seizure, or new trouble speaking, shaking or twitching, especially in the weeks after CAR T-cell therapy
Bleeding that won't stop, or throwing up or coughing up blood
Signs of a severe allergic reaction: swelling of the lips, tongue or throat, wheezing or a widespread rash
Fever while on chemotherapy along with feeling very unwell, confusion, fainting or trouble breathing

Call 9-1-1 or your local emergency number. Don't drive yourself.

Call your cancer centre now

A temperature of 38 °C (100.4 °F) or higher, or shaking chills, during chemotherapy: call your cancer centre's 24-hour line right away. If you can't reach them, go to the nearest emergency department.
Any fever in the weeks after CAR T-cell therapy or while on a bispecific antibody: call your treatment team right away
Easy bruising, bleeding gums, nosebleeds or tiny red spots on the skin
Mouth sores that make it hard to eat or drink
Diarrhea, nausea or vomiting that doesn't settle with your medicines, or peeing much less than usual
A new cough, or a painful rash with blisters on one side of the body (possible shingles)
Numbness or tingling in your hands or feet, or constipation for more than 2 or 3 days
Redness, swelling, pain or discharge where your IV line or port goes in
New drenching night sweats, weight loss without trying, or lumps that are growing
Low mood or worry that lasts more than two weeks

Use the 24-hour line. Don't wait for your next appointment. If you can't reach anyone and you're worried, go to emergency.

If you have any of the signs in the first list, call 9-1-1 or your local emergency number right away. During treatment, your body may not be able to fight infection well, so a fever can be serious even if you feel okay. Keep a thermometer at home and your cancer centre's 24-hour number close by. Don't take medicine to lower a fever before you've called, unless your team has told you to. If you're not sure, call.

Fever and when to get help during cancer treatment: Clear lists to help you decide: a fever of 38.0 °C (100.4 °F) during chemotherapy is an emergency. Plus when to call 9-1-1, when to call your cancer centre's 24-hour line, and immunotherapy side effects to report. (6 min read)

Questions to ask your team

A printable list of questions to bring to your next appointment.

Go deeper

Written for clinicians and students. More technical material from Hibbert Medical, for readers who want more detail.

Podcast summaries

Cancer podcasts, summarized: Hematology and oncology podcasts, including lymphoma research, with written summaries.
Nutrition podcasts: Researchers and dietitians on eating well, including during illness.
Mental health podcasts: Stress, mood and coping with a serious illness.

Lectures

Lymphomas: Medical school: the main types of lymphoma and how they are treated.
Hodgkin Lymphoma: Residency hematology: diagnosis, staging and treatment.
Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma: The most common fast-growing lymphoma, and R-CHOP-based treatment.
Follicular and Marginal Zone Lymphomas: Slow-growing lymphomas and watch and wait.
FDG PET/CT in Lymphoma: How PET scans stage lymphoma and check response.
Hodgkin Lymphoma: Involved-Site Radiation Therapy: When radiation is part of lymphoma treatment.
Febrile Neutropenia: Why a fever during chemotherapy is treated as an emergency.

Seminars

Pediatric Hematology and Oncology: Clerkship seminar: blood cancers, including lymphoma, in children and teens.

Clinical cases

Classical Hodgkin Lymphoma: A young adult with a painless lump in the neck.
Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma (DLBCL): A fast-growing lymphoma, and treatment with R-CHOP.
Follicular Lymphoma: A slow-growing lymphoma and watch and wait.
PET/CT for Lymphoma Staging: How a PET scan shows where lymphoma is.

Oncology regimen tutorials

R-CHOP: Rituximab plus CHOP chemotherapy for large B-cell lymphoma.
ABVD: Chemotherapy for classical Hodgkin lymphoma, with PET-adapted de-escalation.
Monoclonal antibodies and biologics in oncology: Special tutorial: mechanisms, antibody–drug conjugates, bispecifics and class toxicities.
Immune checkpoint inhibitors and irAEs: Special tutorial: how PD-1, PD-L1 and CTLA-4 blockade works, and managing immune-related side effects.

Common questions

What is lymphoma?

Lymphoma is a cancer that starts in lymphocytes, a type of white blood cell that helps fight infection. Lymphocytes live in your lymph nodes and other parts of your immune system. In lymphoma, some lymphocytes change and grow out of control. It often shows up as a painless swelling in the neck, armpit or groin. It is not caused by anything you did.

What is the difference between Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin lymphoma?

They are the two main groups of lymphoma. Doctors tell them apart by looking at the cells under a microscope. Hodgkin lymphoma has a special kind of large abnormal cell called a Reed-Sternberg cell. All other lymphomas are called non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Non-Hodgkin lymphoma is more common and includes many different types. The group and type you have helps your team choose the best treatment.

My doctor said we will 'watch and wait'. Why not treat it now?

Some slow-growing (indolent) lymphomas don't cause problems for a long time. For these, starting treatment early doesn't help people live longer, and waiting spares you side effects. You will have regular check-ups and tests. Treatment starts if the lymphoma begins to grow, causes symptoms or affects your organs. Many people find waiting hard. It's okay to talk about those feelings with your team.

Can lymphoma be treated successfully?

Yes. Many lymphomas respond very well to treatment. For Hodgkin lymphoma and many faster-growing non-Hodgkin lymphomas, treatment often aims to get rid of the lymphoma completely. Slow-growing lymphomas can often be kept under control for many years. Everyone's situation is different, so ask your team what the goal of your treatment is.

Will I lose my hair?

It depends on the treatment. Some chemotherapy combinations cause hair loss, and some don't. Radiation only causes hair loss in the area being treated. Hair usually grows back after treatment ends, though it may be a slightly different colour or texture at first. Ask your team what to expect with your treatment, and about wigs, scarves and caps if you'd like them.

Sources for this page

Back to Cancer: types of treatment, side effects and support for any cancer

General information, not medical advice. It does not replace your own care team. If you think you or someone else is having a medical emergency, call 9-1-1 or your local emergency number. If you are in crisis or thinking about suicide, call or text 9-8-8 (Canada and the US).

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