Why and how is radiation used for non-hodgkin's lymphoma

I am so confused about everything. It is happening so fast. What is going on in my body?

Spooski:
Generally speaking, in cancer treatment radiation has two aims: Either to cure the cancer, or to provide some relief from symptoms, known as palliation.

In non-Hodgkin's Lymphomas, the use of radiation is rather rare. The reason is this: Cancers can be loosely divided into two groups: Hematological [blood] cancers like leukemias and lymphomas, and solid tumor cancers- just about all other cancers- lung, bladder, etc.

Because lymphomas are blood cancers and tend to be in more than one place, as well as in the bloodstream, and they don't tend to have these big tumors, radiation is considered less effective. Radiation works best when it is focused on a solid tumor, and it can actively make that tumor shrink. Most lymphomas don't work that way. Yes, you can develop swollen areas during lymphomas, but normal radiation can only be focused on a single area of the body, and unless a doc can be sure that your lymphoma is localized only, radiation isn't regarded as effective.

Doesn't mean it isn't used, but chemotherapy is far more common than radiation in treating lymphomas.

Ross