Side effects of treatment

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Having treatment for lymphoma can be complicated by side-effects you get from the treatments. Some side-effects will be from the anti-cancer treatment, and others may be from the supportive treatments used to help your treatment work more effectively.

Side-effects of treatment

It is important to understand what side-effects you may have and when to contact your doctor. Some side-effects can become very serious, even life-threatening if not managed right; while others may be more of a nuisance but not life threatening.

You will not get all of the below side-effects. The side-effects you get will depend on the types of treatment you have. Also, not all people on the same treatments will get the same side-effects.

Ask your haematologist/oncologist or nurse what side-effects you may get from your treatment.

Learn more

Click on the links below to learn more about the side-effects of treatment, find tips on how to prevent or manage them at home, and when to contact your doctor.

Finishing Treatment

For more info see

Finishing Treatment

Late Effects - After treatment ends

Once you finish treatment you may still experience some of the above side-effects. For some, these may last several weeks, but for others they may last longer. Some side-effects may not start until months or years in the future. To learn more about late effects, click the headings below.

Avascular necrosis (AVN)

Early menopause and ovarian insufficiency

Fertility after treatment

Heart conditions – Ongoing, or late onset

Hypogammaglobulinemia (low antibodies) – Infection risk

Mental health and emotions

Neutropenia – Ongoing, or late onset

A second cancer

Weight changes

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Lymphoma Australia is the only incorporated charity in Australia dedicated to solely providing education, support, awareness and advocacy initiatives for Australians touched by lymphoma and chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL).

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Patient Support Hotline

General Enquiries

Please note: Lymphoma Australia staff are only able to reply to emails sent in English language.

For people living in Australia, we can offer a phone translation service. Have your nurse or English speaking relative call us to arrange this.

Useful Definitions

Refractory: This means the lymphoma does not get better with treatment. The treatment didn’t work as hoped.
Relapsed: This means the lymphoma came back after being gone for a while after treatment.
2nd line treatment: This is the second treatment you get if the first one didn’t work (refractory) or if the lymphoma comes back (relapse).
3rd line treatment: This is the third treatment you get if the second one didn’t work or the lymphoma comes back again.
Approved: Available in Australia and listed by the Therapeutics Goods Administration (TGA).
Funded: Costs are covered for Australian citizens. This means if you have a Medicare card, you shouldn’t have to pay for the treatment.[WO7]

You need healthy T-cells to make CAR T-cells. For this reason, CAR T-cell therapy cannot be used if you have a T-cell lymphoma – yet.

For more information on CAR T-cells and T-cell lymphoma click here.

Special Note: Although your T-cells are removed from your blood for CAR T-cell therapy, most of our T-cells live outside of our blood – in our lymph nodes, thymus, spleen and other organs.

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Side effects of treatment