Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma Overview
Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, or NHL, is a type of cancer that starts in the body’s lymphatic system. This is the network of tissues and organs that store and carry immune cells such as lymphocytes (a type of white blood cell). These cells help defend your body from disease.
NHL can occur in white blood cells called B-cells or T-cells. But most NHL occurs in B-cells. In fact, 85% of all lymphomas are B-cell lymphomas, and only about 10% to 15% of the lymphomas are T-cell lymphomas.
How common is non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma?
NHL is now the 6th most common cancer in the United States. And the number of people with NHL continues to rise. NHL occurs in about 66,000 new patients each year and it is estimated there are between 400,000 and 500,000 patients in the United States living with NHL. But there is good news. There have been advances in treatment in the last decade. And patients with NHL have more treatment options than ever before.
This information does not take the place of talking with your doctor. Discuss with your doctor any questions you have about your medical condition or your treatment.
INDICATIONS and IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
RITUXAN® is indicated for the treatment of patients with:
- Relapsed or refractory, low-grade or follicular, CD20-positive, B-cell NHL as a single agent
- Previously untreated follicular, CD20-positive, B-cell NHL in combination with CVP chemotherapy
- Non-progressing (including stable disease), low-grade, CD20-positive, B-cell NHL, as a single agent, after first-line CVP chemotherapy
- Previously untreated diffuse large B-cell, CD20-positive NHL in combination with CHOP or other anthracycline-based chemotherapy regimens
Important Safety Information
RITUXAN® can cause serious side effects, some of which can be life-threatening, including: progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML), infusion reactions, tumor lysis syndrome (TLS), and severe skin reactions. Other serious and life-threatening side effects with RITUXAN include: hepatitis B virus reactivation, heart problems, infections, and stomach and bowel problems. Common side effects during RITUXAN infusions include: fever, headache, chills and shakes, nausea, itching, hives, cough, sneezing, and throat irritation or tightness.
Tell your doctor about any side effects that bother you or that do not go away. These are not all of the possible side effects with RITUXAN. Ask your doctor for more information.
Please read the Medication Guide in HTML or PDF versions and the full prescribing information for more information.
