After treatment for non-Hodgkin lymphoma

What follow-up do I need?

Once treatment is over and you are in remission, you will still need to go back to hospital for regular check-ups. This is called follow-up. Your doctor will examine you and do blood tests and possibly scans. You can tell the doctor how you’re feeling and if you have any symptoms or side-effects.

It’s important to go to your follow-up appointments. They let your doctor:

Check for signs of relapse
Help with any symptoms
Arrange for you to get any treatment you need as early as possible.

If you are between check-ups and have a symptom or problem that is worrying you, contact your doctor or specialist nurse for advice and to make an appointment, if necessary.

If you become suddenly unwell and can’t contact your specialist nurse or hospital team, go to your GP or the emergency department at the hospital.

What if the cancer comes back?

If the lymphoma cells come back after being treated, it’s called a relapse. A relapse can happen during or soon after treatment, or months or years later. It’s not unusual for low-grade NHL to relapse, and high-grade NHL can relapse too. Lymphoma can still be treated after a relapse - to try to put it back into remission.

Feelings after treatment

It can take some time to come to terms with a cancer diagnosis, even after your treatment has ended. Read about feelings after treatment and where to get support.

Living with lymphoma

Many people with lymphoma can live a normal life once their disease is in remission. Others may have symptoms. We have some tips to help you to avoid unnecessary complications and stay as well as possible. See Living with lymphoma.