Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma

Depends on whether NHL is aggressive or indolent, and on histology, staging, and responsiveness.

In general, patients should be examined and monitored prior to each cycle of chemotherapy, with full blood count (FBC), basic metabolic profile, liver function tests, and serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH).

Laboratory parameters including FBC with differential are routinely monitored for severe neutropenia (absolute neutrophil count <500 cells/microlitre [<0.5 × 10⁹/L]).

Restaging with positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) during therapy or after therapy completion may help guide subsequent treatment or repeat biopsy for certain lymphomas (e.g., diffuse large B-cell lymphoma [DLBCL]).

Tumour lysis syndrome laboratory tests (including uric acid, phosphate, potassium, calcium, urea, creatinine, LDH) should be monitored, especially for Burkitt's lymphoma.

Follow-up after completion of therapy may vary depending on the type of NHL. The National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) typically recommends that patients with B-cell lymphoma be followed up every 3-6 months for 5 years and then annually, or as clinically indicated.[70]National Comprehensive Cancer Network. NCCN clinical practice guidelines in oncology: B-cell lymphomas [internet publication]. https://www.nccn.org/guidelines/category_1 ​