Professional Golfer Scott McCarron’s ‘Scratchy Throat’ Led To Stage Two B-Cell Lymphoma Diagnosis At 60: ‘We Caught It Early. It’s Very Curable’

“I didn’t like the looks of it, so I called my doctor and Dr. Jody Stutz. She said, come in the next day.”

Recounting how a trip to the doctor the following day prompted her to refer him to an ear nose and throat specialist, who took a biopsy.

McCarron then admitted, “I didn’t really think anything of it … thought maybe a bacterial infection or something like that.”

However, days later he was told he had cancer.

“He said was B-cell lymphoma and kind of a fast acting, so wanted me to come home immediately,” McCarron recalled his doctor saying.

“It’s serious … if I would’ve waited six months it would not have been a good outcome for me.”@ScottMcCarron details recent cancer diagnosis and his positive outlook moving forward 🫶 pic.twitter.com/1h2iqz2ca2

— PGA TOUR Champions (@ChampionsTour) April 23, 2026

McCarron, who started chemotherapy this week, also told Golf Week, “If I would have waited six months, it would not have been a good outcome for me, from what my doctors say.

“So, early detection is the key for any of the cancers.”

Looking back on how his diagnosis prompted him to ask questions like “How? Why? Why me?” and “How can we beat this? Is it curable?” he explained, “Those are the things that are really going through your head and then after you do that PET scan, you don’t know if it’s spread throughout your whole body and that was probably the scariest thing.”

McCarron also describe the questionable spot he found on his tongue as “just like a little white thing.” He continued, “But the little white spot was becoming larger, the size of an eraser, and was blocking my esophagus and making it hard to swallow and really sore.

“So, it was a fast-acting cancer.”

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McCarron has already started chemotherapy and continuing to play golf while undergoing his treatment plan, which he did not offer further details on.

He urges others, “Don’t be stubborn and wait,” as his doctors told him if he waited another six months his outcome wouldn’t have been the same.

McCarron further said, in the footage of his interview shared on social media, “Quite a few guys have had some issues with cancer over the years, John Daly, Ken Tanigawa, Doug Barron, and Lauren Roberts. So I have talked to a lot of those guys about what they’ve gone through.

“Everybody’s had some different types of cancers, obviously, but it is cancer and it is scary because it’s unknown. And when you don’t know how to deal with it, you know, you’re trying to put people together, you’re trying to get the right answers.”

He concluded, expressing how “scary” his diagnosis has been, “Right now I feel pretty good. After going through the chemo, you know, I can handle it. I feel pretty good today.

“I’m looking forward to being a little distracted on the golf course and thinking about golf instead of thinking about this.”

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All About Large B-Cell Lymphoma

Large B-cell lymphoma (LBCL) is the most common type of Non Hodgkin Lymphoma, a cancer that starts in white blood cells called lymphocytes. These cells are part of the immune system, and when they begin to grow uncontrollably, they can form tumors in the lymph nodes or other organs such as the spleen, liver, or bone marrow.

The most frequent subtype is diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). It’s considered aggressive, which means it tends to grow quickly — but that also means it often responds well to prompt, effective treatment.

WATCH: Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma: It’s More Than Just One Type

Why It Happens

In most cases, doctors cannot pinpoint exactly why someone develops lymphoma. However, there are some known risk factors:

• Age: It’s more common in older adults, though it can occur at any age.
• Immune system problems: People with weakened immune systems — from HIV, autoimmune diseases, or certain medications — have a higher risk.
• Family history or previous cancers: These can slightly increase risk, though lymphoma isn’t typically inherited.
• Infections: Rarely, chronic infections such as H. pylori or hepatitis C may play a role.

Understanding Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma

Non-Hodgkin lymphoma is a broad category of cancers that begin in white blood cells called lymphocytes, which play a crucial role in the body’s immune system. According to Dr. Julie Vose, chief of hematology/oncology at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, understanding the specific type of NHL is essential for determining the best course of treatment.

WATCH: The type of lymphoma you have matters.

More on B-Cell vs. T-Cell Lymphoma

Doctors classify NHL based on the type of lymphocytes affected:

• B-cell lymphomas account for nearly 85% of NHL cases. These cancers originate in cells responsible for producing antibodies that identify and fight infections.
• T-cell lymphomas, making up 15% of cases, arise in T-cells, which directly attack harmful invaders like bacteria and viruses.
  Identifying whether the lymphoma is B-cell or T-cell helps guide treatment options tailored to the disease’s behavior and progression.

Types of B-Cell Lymphoma

• Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma
• Follicular lymphoma
• Small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL) / Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)
• Mantle cell lymphoma
• Marginal zone lymphomas
• Burkitt lymphoma

Types of T-Cell Lymphoma

• T-lymphoblastic lymphoma/leukemia
• Peripheral T-cell lymphomas
• Cutaneous T-cell lymphoma
• Aggressive vs. Indolent (slow-growing) Lymphomas

One of the key distinctions doctors make when diagnosing NHL is how rapidly the cancer grows and spreads.

• Indolent (slow-growing) lymphomas tend to develop over time and may not require immediate aggressive treatment.
• Aggressive lymphomas spread quickly and need intensive treatment to prevent further progression.

Dr. Jennifer Crombie, medical oncologist at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, explains that understanding whether the lymphoma is indolent or aggressive is essential, as they require very different treatment approaches.

Treatment for Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma

The approach to treatment depends largely on the specific diagnosis and how the cancer behaves in the body.

Unlike Hodgkin lymphoma, which often spreads predictably from one lymph node group to the next, non-Hodgkin lymphoma can spread more randomly throughout different lymph node clusters.

WATCH: Non-Hodgkin lymphoma treatment options

While some forms of NHL are treatable but not curable, others progress rapidly if left untreated, warns Dr. Lawrence Piro, President and CEO of The Angeles Clinic and Research Institute. Patients diagnosed with aggressive forms often require immediate intervention, while those with slower-growing types may manage their disease with targeted therapies or observation.

As researchers continue to advance treatment strategies, early diagnosis, and personalized care remain key to improving patient outcomes in the fight against non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

WATCH: Understanding R-CHOP treatment.

Non-Hodgkin lymphoma treatment depends on the type, stage, and how fast it grows. People with aggressive non-Hodgkin lymphoma can expect to get a chemotherapy combination called R-CHOP, which is a drug cocktail consisting of chemotherapy drugs plus an antibody-drug and a steroid to treat diffuse large B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

R-CHOP stands for:

• R:  Rituximab (Rituxan) is a monoclonal antibody that attaches to a specific protein called CD20, which sits on the surface of B cells. It targets cancerous cells and destroys them.
• C: Cyclophosphamide is a type of chemotherapy drug
• D: Doxorubicin hydrochloride (hydroxydaunomycin) is a type of chemotherapy drug
• V: Vincristine sulfate (Oncovin) is a type of chemotherapy drug
• P: Prednisone is a steroid which lowers inflammation

Patients receiving R-CHOP receive the drug in six cycles that are three weeks apart.

“R-CHOP is a cocktail of drugs. There are five different drugs in that recipe,” Dr. Jennifer Crombie, medical oncologist at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, tells SurvivorNet.

R-CHOP side effects can include:

• Tiredness and weakness
• Hair loss
• Mouth sores
• Bruising and bleeding
• Increased risk of infection
• Appetite loss and weight loss
• Changes in bowel movements

Immunotherapy and targeted therapy are also treatment options for non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma patients.

Rituximab (Rituxan) was the first immunotherapy drug approved to treat some forms of non-Hodgkin lymphoma. “Rituximab is the immunotherapy that has been approved the longest, and we have the most experience with lymphoma,” Dr. Chong tells SurvivorNet.

Rituxan has side effects, including fever, chills, swelling under the skin, itching, and mild shortness of breath.

Brentuximab vedotin (Adcetris) is a relatively new targeted treatment for non-Hodgkin lymphoma and Hodgkin lymphoma. This drug is an antibody-drug conjugate that combines an antibody (a type of protein that recognizes foreign substances in the body) with a drug that treats cancer. It uses a particular protein to deliver medicine directly to the cancer cell.

Non-Hodgkin lymphoma can also be treated with radiation, which aims beams of intense energy at the cancer to stop cancer cells from growing and dividing.

Treating The Emotional Needs Of Patients With Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma

Hearing that you have diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL), like McCarron can certainly feel overwhelming. Beyond managing the physical aspects of treatment, it’s normal to experience a wide range of emotions, such as anxiety, frustration, fatigue, and a sense of loss of control.

High-quality lymphoma care addresses not only the disease but also your emotional and social well-being.

“Every patient gets upset at some point, and that’s okay. Save it for the people in white coats. We can take it,” Dr. Edward Nelson, a physician scientist and Professor of Medicine at the University of California, Irvine, urges patients.

Treatment for DLBCL can be a tough road. Chemotherapy, as well as newer therapies like CAR T-cell therapy or bispecific antibodies, can have side effects that affect your daily life. It’s important to speak to your doctor about what to expect from treatment, and any concerns you might have.

“It is really important to have an honest dialogue with patients so they know what is potentially coming down the pike,” Dr. Nelson says.

“When someone hears they have cancer, it is as though some little munchkin crawled into their brain with an eggbeater and scrambled it all up. Life feels totally out of control,” Dr. Nelson explains of that feeling so many living with cancer are familiar with.

Feeling out of control is a normal reaction, and your care team can provide guidance on how to cope, regain a sense of agency, and manage day-to-day logistics.

Even during treatment, the journey is often non-linear. You may feel better before a therapy session, then feel unwell afterward, and the cycle repeats. Receiving treatment and waiting to learn whether it is working can be stressful. For some therapies, like CAR T-cell therapy, the waiting period while your cells are prepared can also be emotionally taxing.

More On Treating The Emotional Needs Of Patients With Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma

Your emotional well-being is just as important as your physical care. Small acts of comfort, leaning on loved ones, and honest conversations with your care team can make a big difference.

Ongoing treatments and waiting for post-treatment imaging can be especially stressful. Many patients feel anxious before scans because it’s the first time they learn how the lymphoma has responded. Understanding that it’s normal to feel stress and uncertainty during these moments can help you cope. Your care team is there to explain results, discuss next steps, and reassure you that there are many treatment options available, even if lymphoma returns or persists.

By reviewing treatment timelines and side effects, your team helps you prepare mentally and logistically, which can reduce surprises and help you feel more in control. Your care team may also be able to connect you with resources if you are struggling with mental health, such as therapists or support groups.

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Questions for Your Doctor

If you have been diagnosed with lymphoma, it’s important to ask your doctor a series of questions to get an idea of your next steps. To help you during this difficult time, SurvivorNet has some questions to kickstart your conversation with your physician.

• What type of lymphoma do I have?
• What does my pathology report say about my diagnosis?
• Should I get a second opinion before I explore possible treatment options?
• Based on my diagnosis, what do you anticipate my treatment path?
• What common side effects should I expect when I begin treatment?
• Will I be able to continue working and normal daily activities during treatment?
• Where can I get help working with the insurance company regarding treatment costs?
• Who do you recommend I get mental health help during my treatment?

Contributing: SurvivorNet Staff

Learn more about SurvivorNet's rigorous medical review process.

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