After DLBCL treatment

Finishing treatment can be a time of mixed emotions. You may feel relieved and excited, or you may feel worried and scared. You may even alternate between all of these emotions. This is very normal.

However, you will not be alone. You will continue to see your specialist team on a regular basis, and be checked for any signs and symptoms of your lymphoma relapsing, and your doctor will also want to make sure you’re not having any side effects from your treatment. Your doctor will let you know how often they want to see you, however the longer time you are in remission the less often they will need to see you.

Prognosis is the term used to describe the likely path of your disease, how it will respond to treatment and how you will do during and after treatment.

There are many factors that contribute to your prognosis and it is not possible to give an overall statement about prognosis. However, DLBCL often responds very well to treatment and many patients with this cancer can be cured – meaning after treatment, there is no sign of DLBCL in your body.

Factors that can impact prognosis

Some factors that may impact your prognosis include:

• Your age and overall health at time of diagnosis.
• How you respond to treatment.
• What if any genetic mutations you have.
• The subtype of DLBCL you have.

A healthy lifestyle, or some positive lifestyle changes after treatment can be a great help to your recovery. There are many things you can do to help you live well with DLBCL.

Many people find that after a cancer diagnosis, or treatment, that their goals and priorities in life change. Getting to know what your ‘new normal’ is can take time and be frustrating.

Expectations of your family and friends may be different to yours. You may feel isolated, fatigued or any number of different emotions that can change each day.

The main goals after treatment for your DLBCL is to get back to life and:

• be as active as possible in your work, family, and other life roles
• lessen the side effects and symptoms of the cancer and its treatment
• identify and manage any late side effects
• help keep you as independent as possible
• improve your quality of life and maintain good mental health

Different types of cancer rehabilitation may be recommended to you. This could mean any of a wide range of services such as:

• physical therapy, pain management
• nutritional and exercise planning
• emotional, career and financial counselling.