Prognosis and duration
Treatments effectively control disease in 60-80% of people although it does relapse eventually. The median time to recurrence is 3-4 years. Refer to table of types of lymphoma for information on outcome for less common types of lymphoma.
Treatments are arduous especially bone marrow or stem cell transplant, treatment and recovery may take 12-18 months. Combination chemotherapy treatments may also be arduous therefore time limited awards of 1 year are recommended if needs are identified.
In people under the age of 60 five year recurrence-free survival is approximately 60% and in people over the age of 60 recurrence-free survival rates drop to 50%. A return to health is expected in the typical case. People whose disease relapses a second or third time do less well and are generally incurable; this group may collect enduring disabling problems related to the disease or its treatment. In this group long term or life awards are more appropriate – some may be terminally ill. Refer to the lymphoma tables for information on less common types of lymphoma.
High grade Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma First line treatment for early disease
A return to health is expected in the typical case. 5 year survival is as high as 70%. There are unlikely to be any long term care and mobility needs after treatment. The exception to this are the enduring but rare side effects of chemotherapy or radiotherapy. In the rare situation where an award is appropriate during treatment with chemotherapy, the award should last for the duration of treatment and then be reviewed.
For long term side effects some years after successful treatment of high or low grade Non-Hodgkin lymphoma click the links below:
- Radiotherapy and Brachytherapy
- Problems in adults who had cancer treatment as children
- Side effects of Chemotherapy
Any needs arising from these are likely to be long term and life awards are recommended.
All information must be taken into account when considering the duration of disabling effects and the duration of disabling effects must be based on the particular circumstances of the individual claimant.
Amended February 2009
