As a result, its side effects can include anemia, an increased risk of infection, mouth sores or bleeding, hair loss, nausea, and vomiting. Some of the chemotherapy drugs used to treat NHL, such as doxorubicin and mitoxantrone, can damage heart tissue, making some people with heart disorders unable to tolerate this treatment. These patients may be given alternative kinds of chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Radiation therapy alone may be the treatment of choice for some patients, especially those who have only a single, small tumor. Some types of NHL respond best to chemotherapy followed by radiation therapy.
Radiation therapy is directed to the areas of the body known to harbor cancer cells.
As an extra precaution, radiation may be directed to a broader area, such as to all the lymph nodes in the region of a known cancerous site. The treatment is generally given on an outpatient basis. Radiation therapy can cause fatigue and red or dry skin in the treated area. Radiation directed to the chest and neck can cause patients to have a dry, sore throat and some trouble swallowing. Patients may also have shortness of breath or a dry cough.