For individuals, friends and families who are looking to connect during life's challenging times. Share personal experiences, evaluate information and get support during times of need, illness, treatment or recovery.
Community
Treatment
- NHL Treatment
- Hodgkin's Treatment
- Clinical Trials
- Treatment Centers
- Chemotherapy
- Immunotherapy
- Monoclonal Antibodies
- Radiotherapy
- Radioimmunotherapy
Understand
- Where to Start
- What is Lymphoma?
- The Lymphatic System
- Lymphoma Symptoms
- Lymphoma Causes
- Lymphoma Prognosis
- Lymphoma Stages
- Refractory/Relapsed Lymphoma
- Indolent lymphoma
tatterpie- A person with
tatterpie-
A person with lymphoma- Hodgkins or otherwise- is considered immunocompromised, but technically speaking the drugs given for Hodgkin's don't attack the immune system. They do what all chemo drugs do- they kill fast-dividing cells. This means cells in certain parts of the body-- hair follicles, gastro-intestinal system and reproductive system for instance-- along with cells that are cancerous, which also tend to be fast-dividing. So while chemo does interfere with the normal function of some parts of the body, it doesn't attack the immune system perse.
However, because lymphoma patients are immunocompromised by their cancer, they're often encouraged to look for ways to protect themselves against opportunistic illnesses, by getting the flu shot for instance, or asking their caregivers to get the flu shot.
Ross