MD Anderson Consultation

(Community Matters) Good meetings with the nurse, then the physician’s assistant, then Dr. McLaughlin. No alarms, less surprise to them than us. Relapsed cancer now a grade 2, rather than previous grade 3, ie., higher proportion of small cell v large cell. We expected a 3 to 5 year remission, though experience is slightly less than a one-year. Returning lymphoma isn’t’ characterized by stage – from here out simply referred to as “relapsed lymphoma.” Discussed various treatment options: intensive strategies (stem cell transplants & full regiment chemos), medium & mild (clinical trials with minimal side effects and without immune supression). Also option of waiting and seeing how this slow growth lymphoma progresses. We’re all but agreed no need to take the most intensive option. We’ll come back next week for consultations and tests, the following week to reconvene with the doc.