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A

Aggressive:

A type of cancer that grows quickly (intermediate and high-grade).

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    B

    B-cell:

    A type of white blood cell that helps the body fight disease. B-cells are a type of immune cell.

      Bone marrow:

      The soft, spongy material that fills the inside of bones. Bone marrow is the source of new blood cells. Red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets are made in the bone marrow.

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        C

        Chemotherapy:

        A drug treatment that kills cancer cells.

          CHOP chemotherapy:

          A type of chemotherapy with cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone.

            CT scan:

            Computed tomography scan. A medical test that uses a computer linked to an X-ray machine to take pictures of the inside of the body.

              CVP chemotherapy:

              A type of chemotherapy with cyclophosphamide, vincristine, and prednisone or prednisolone.

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                D

                DLBCL (diffuse large B-cell lymphoma):

                The most common type of aggressive lymphoma. More than 3 out of 10 patients with NHL have DLBCL.

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                  F

                  FCM chemotherapy:

                  A type of chemotherapy with fludarabine, cyclophosphamide, and mitoxantrone.

                    Flow cytometry:

                    This test identifies the type of cancer and number of cells involved.

                      Follicular:

                      Having cells that grow in circular groups, or follicles.

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                        I

                        Immune cells:

                        Cells that defend the body from infection. These cells are part of the immune system.

                          Immune system:

                          The group of organs and cells that defend the body from infection.

                            Immunotherapy:

                            A treatment (such as monoclonal antibodies) that uses your body’s immune system to help fight cancer.

                              Indolent:

                              A type of cancer that grows slowly (low-grade).

                                Initial treatment:

                                The first type of treatment given for a condition or disease.

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                                  L

                                  Lymph node:

                                  A small, bean-shaped organ that stores white blood cells and helps remove cell waste, germs, and other harmful substances from the body.

                                    Lymphocytes:

                                    A type of white blood cell that has an important role in fighting infection.

                                      Lymphoma:

                                      A cancer of the lymphatic system. Lymphoma involves a type of white blood cell called lymphocytes. The 2 main types of lymphoma are Hodgkin's and non-Hodgkin's.

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                                        M

                                        Monoclonal antibodies:

                                        A type of targeted therapy used to find and destroy specific cells within the body (for example, the B-cells where NHL starts). This is a type of immunotherapy.

                                          MRI scan:

                                          Magnetic resonance imaging scan. A medical test that uses magnetic waves to create pictures of areas inside the body.

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                                            N

                                            Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma:

                                            A group of cancers that start in immune cells and can form tumors in the lymphatic system.

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                                              O

                                              Oncologist:

                                              A doctor who specializes in treating cancer.

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                                                P

                                                PET scan:

                                                Positron emission tomography scan. A medical test that uses a small amount of radioactive molecules to create pictures of the inside of the body. These pictures can be used to help find cancer cells.

                                                  Platelet:

                                                  A type of cell found in the blood. Platelets help prevent bleeding by forming blood clots.

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                                                    R

                                                    Relapse:

                                                    A term used to describe the return of disease after it has responded to treatment.

                                                      Remission:

                                                      A term used to describe a response to treatment. Partial remission means the cancer is significantly improved, but evidence of the cancer remains. Complete remission means all evidence of the cancer is gone for a period of time.

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                                                        T

                                                        Targeted therapy:

                                                        A type of treatment that attacks specific cells.

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                                                          X

                                                          X-ray:

                                                          A type of high-energy radiation. In low doses, X-rays are used to take pictures of the inside of the body.

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                                                            Indications

                                                            RITUXAN® (Rituximab) is indicated for the treatment of patients with:

                                                            • Previously untreated follicular, CD20-positive, B-cell NHL in combination with first-line chemotherapy and, in patients achieving a complete or partial response to RITUXAN in combination with chemotherapy, as single-agent maintenance therapy
                                                            • 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
                                                            • Relapsed or refractory, low-grade or follicular, CD20-positive, B-cell NHL as a single agent

                                                            People with serious infections should not receive RITUXAN.

                                                            Important Safety Information

                                                            • RITUXAN can cause serious side effects that can lead to death, including infusion reactions, tumor lysis syndrome (TLS; kidney failure due to fast breakdown of cancer cells), severe skin and mouth reactions, and progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML; a rare, serious brain infection).
                                                            • RITUXAN has also been associated with serious and life-threatening side effects, including the return of active hepatitis B virus infection with sudden and serious liver problems including liver failure, and death, other serious infections that can lead to death, heart problems, kidney problems, and stomach and serious bowel problems including blockage and tears in the bowel that can sometimes lead to death.
                                                            • The most common side effects of RITUXAN seen in patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma were infusion reactions, fever, chills, low white blood cells, infections, body aches, and tiredness. Before starting treatment with RITUXAN it is important to talk to your doctor about your medical history.
                                                            • Tell your doctor about any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away. These are not all of the possible side effects with RITUXAN. For more information, ask your doctor.

                                                            Please see full Prescribing Information, including Medication Guide.

                                                            CVP=cyclophosphamide, vincristine, and prednisone or prednisolone; CHOP=cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone.