Current therapeutic approaches in the treatment of Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.
OBJECTIVE
To review the causes, classification, treatment, and new treatment modalities of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.


METHODS
Published literature and experimental therapies.


CONCLUSIONS
The increasing incidence of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma can be attributed to a growth in the number of immunodeficiency and autoimmune disorders, infectious agents, and human T-cell leukemia-lymphoma virus. Treatment options include watch-and-wait, radiation, chemotherapy, biologic therapy, and stem cell/bone marrow transplant. New therapies include the use of monoclonal antibodies and radioimmunotherapy. Experimental therapies include high-dose radioimmunotherapy and stem cell transplantation, vaccines, and antisense antiangiogensis agents.


CONCLUSIONS
Nurses will need to become versed in this modality, and will play an important part not only in therapy but also in patient education.
O'Brien
Teresa
T
Section of Hematology, Rush, Presbyterian St. Luke's Medical Center, 1725 W Harrison, Suite 809, Chicago, IL 60612, USA.
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008228:Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin / Q000145:classification / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000451:nursing; D011379:Prognosis
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents