Complications - Non-Hodgkin lymphoma

Some people treated for non-Hodgkin lymphoma experience long-term problems, even if they have been cured.

This page describes some of the main complications of non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

Weakened immune system

Having a weakened immune system is a common complication of non-Hodgkin lymphoma and can become more severe while you're being treated.

But your immune system will usually recover in the months and years after treatment.

If you have a weak immune system, you're more vulnerable to infections and there's an increased risk of developing serious complications from infections.

It's important to report any symptoms of an infection to your GP or care team immediately, as prompt treatment may be needed to prevent serious complications. 

This is particularly important in the first few months after treatment.

Symptoms of infection include:

• a high temperature
• headache
• aching muscles
• diarrhoea
• tiredness
• a painful blistering rash

Vaccination

You should make sure all of your vaccinations are up-to-date.

But it's important to speak to your GP or care team about this because it may not be safe for you to have "live" vaccines until several months after your treatment finishes.

Live vaccines contain a weakened form of the virus or organism being vaccinated against.

Examples of live vaccines include the:

• shingles vaccine
• BCG vaccine (against tuberculosis)
• MMR vaccine (against measles, mumps and rubella)

Infertility

Chemotherapy and radiotherapy for non-Hodgkin lymphoma can cause infertility. This is sometimes temporary, but it can be permanent.

Your care team will estimate the risk of infertility in your specific circumstances and talk to you about your options.

In some cases, it may be possible for men to store samples of their sperm and for women to store their eggs before treatment so these can be used to try for a baby afterwards.

Second cancers

Having treatment for non-Hodgkin lymphoma can increase your risk of developing another type of cancer in the future. This is known as a second cancer.

The risk of getting cancer is particularly increased after cancer treatment because chemotherapy and radiotherapy damage healthy cells, as well as cancer cells.

This damage can then cause the affected cells to become cancerous many years after treatment.

You can help reduce your risk of a second cancer by adopting a healthy lifestyle through not smoking, maintaining a healthy weight with a balanced diet, and getting regular exercise.

You should report any symptoms that might suggest another cancer to your GP at an early stage and attend any cancer screening appointments you're invited to.

Other health problems

Treatment for non-Hodgkin lymphoma can increase your risk of getting certain conditions at a younger age than normal, such as:

• heart disease
• lung disease

Having a cancer diagnosis can also increase your risk of depression.

You should report unexpected symptoms, such as increasing shortness of breath, to your GP.