These findings could have long-reaching effects on patient care for people diagnosed with follicular lymphoma, Shadman said.
“We always start by saying ‘You start with me this year, you’ll stay with me for the rest of your life. We can treat your disease, but we’ll never discharge you from the cancer center,’” he said. In contrast, some patients with other types of lymphomas (such as aggressive lymphomas) that are considered curable may eventually “graduate” back into a standard care environment.
“Now, we can just give the hope [to patients with follicular lymphoma] that yes, you may be someone who, after a few years, we can send back to your primary care provider,” Shadman said. “These findings also support eliminating the need for indefinite radiologic surveillance.”
The analysis also…