Understanding Risk of Relapse After Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma Treatment
- Actor Sam Neill, 77, who was diagnosed with an aggressive form of non-Hodgkin lymphoma after noticing a persistent lump in his neck two years back and is now in remission, is reminiscing about his starring role in the 1990 Australian black comedy/romance.
- Looking back on good times and fun memories, like an previous acting role, can certainly play a part in one’s healing journey, Neill has just done on his social media.
- All non-Hodgkin lymphomas begin in white blood cells known as lymphocytes, which are part of your body’s immune system. From there, doctors separate these cancers into types depending on the specific kind of lymphocytes they grow from B cells or T cells. Knowing which one of these you have can help steer you to the most appropriate treatment for you.
- Each patient’s risk profile for relapse is different and based on multiple factors, Dr. Michael Jain, medical oncologist at the Moffitt Cancer Center, tells SurvivorNet.
The New Zealand actor, director, screenwriter, and producer— who is in remission from an aggressive form of non-Hodgkin lymphoma, which is a type of blood cancer—recently captioned a throwback Instagram post, “DEATH IN BRUNSWICK. Came across this absolute gem on @abciview.
Read MoreNeill continued, “Hadn’t seen it for 35 years – still so fresh and funny. Very pleased to have done this. Thanks John Ruane, you beautiful director.”View this post on Instagram
Fans were quick to comment with joy, with one commenting, “Absolutely brilliant! The graveyard scene is the funniest thing I have ever seen” and another writing, “Love this movie. One of my all time favorites. Brilliant cast and storyline.”
Another fan commented, “Sam, it’s iconic. And oddly enough, I watched it again, a few weeks ago. I think every Australian family should own copies of Death in Brunswick — and The Castle (how’s the serenity?).
“Laughed so much. The cast was ace. How I miss John Clarke’s humor. He was a national treasure.”
“Death in Brunswick” was directed by John Ruane and starred actors Sam Neill, Zoe Carides, and John Clarke.
IMBD describes the film as, “Down-on-his-luck Carl Fitzgerald [played by Sam Neill] meets Sophie, a beautiful Greek girl. He gets a job as a cook, but accidentally kills a fellow worker. He turns to his unscrupulous best friend for help and they attempt to dispose of the body.”
We love how Neill is able to look back on happy memories. It’s also comforting to see the actor taking to social media to share sweet photos and videos of what he’s been up to recently, and of the animals in his life.
View this post on Instagram
For instance, he shared an adorable video of pigs earlier this month, writing alongside the adorable footage, “PIGS REALLY MISS ME. Well why wouldn’t they ? I haven’t been home a while, and they are sad as… Particularly Bryan. As you see they blow me kisses from afar. I reciprocate.”
In another post, he shared a video clip of him holding a duck named Magda, writing, “MAGDA! A Reunion. I’ve been away awhile, and I missed her.”
Neill then informed his followers that Magna had baby ducklings this year, later showing them in the video.
Fans took to the comments to praise him for sharing such sweet footage, with one saying, “Loved your acting work for many years.. now I see the Gentle Man behind the scenes God Bless you Sir.”
Another fan wrote, “How can you convey such beauty and joy talking about dear Magda and her new little family. It simultaneously makes me smile and almost shed a tear. Thanks for your precious posts Sam.”
View this post on Instagram
Sam Neill’s Journey With non-Hodgkin Lymphoma
In March 2023, Sam Neill revealed he had been diagnosed with stage-three angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma, an aggressive form of non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
After undergoing treatment for nearly two years, he announced he was in remission and shared his gratitude for life and modern medicine.
Since then, Neill has been vocal about savoring life’s moments and speaking his mind. His latest rant isn’t just about grocery store tech, it’s about connection, dignity, and the value of being seen. Surviving cancer didn’t just change his health—it reshaped how he sees the world.
He told told Entertainment Tonight last year, “Listen, I have been in remission for two years now, and I feel great.” The actor also pointed out the contrast between when his cancer journey began and where it is today.
“What was slightly annoying was that the story was sort of ‘cancer, cancer, cancer,’ and the other half of the story is ‘remission, remission, and remission,’ and I’m absolutely fine,” he told SkyNews.
Now, Neill is cancer-free and continues to take the chemotherapy drug monthly.
View this post on Instagram
What Is Angioimmunoblastic T-cell Lymphoma?
According to the National Organization for Rare Diseases, Angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma (AITL) is a rare form of non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
Non-Hodgkin lymphoma is a “group of related malignancies (cancers) that affect the lymphatic system (lymphomas)” and lymphomas “are cancer of white blood cells (lymphocytes) and can be divided depending on the type of cells, B-lymphocytes (B-cells) or T-lymphocytes (T-cells).”
Angioimmunoblastic T-cell Lymphoma is classified as a Peripheral T-cell lymphoma and makes up 4% of all lymphomas.
“It is more common in older adults. It tends to involve the lymph nodes and bone marrow as well as the spleen or liver, which can become enlarged,” the American Cancer Society explains. “People with this lymphoma usually have fever, weight loss, and skin rashes and often develop infections.”
This type of lymphoma also has a quick progression. And although treatment is usually effective at the start, the lymphoma often is recurrent.
WATCH: Do You Know Your B Cells From Your T Cells?
Understanding Treatment Options
In general, lymphoma treatment largely depends on the nature of your specific diagnosis. For non-Hodgkin lymphoma patients, their cancer is more likely to spread in a random way and be discovered in different groups of lymph nodes in the body. Hodgkin lymphoma cancers, on the other hand, are more likely to grow in a consistent way from one group of lymph nodes directly to another.
And even if you receive a lymphoma diagnosis at a later stage, Dr. Elise Chong, medical oncologist at Penn Medicine, assured SurvivorNet that “unlike other cancers, where advanced stage is a death sentence, that’s certainly not the case for lymphoma.”
“We have many treatments with which people can either be cured with advanced stage lymphoma or have very good remissions,” Dr. Chong said. “So it doesn’t change how treatable someone is, even when they do have advanced stage lymphoma.”
WATCH: Learning about Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma
What Life May Look Like After Treatment
If patients have not experienced too many complications from their chemotherapy, “they are often able to go back to many of the same things that they did before they had their diagnosis of cancer and are able to live full and complete lives,” Dr. Michael Jain, medical oncologist at Moffitt Cancer Center, told SurvivorNet in an earlier interview
Making a Survivorship Care Plan
So what comes after successful treatment? “At that point we often focus on the survivorship issues that they may have, preventing second cancers, and properly following them,” Dr. Jain explains.
A survivorship plan will include a schedule for follow-up exams and tests, plus a schedule for tests to check for any long-term health impacts from your cancer or treatment, and screening for any new cancers.
Your doctor will likely tell you what to look out for in terms of side effects that could show up late or over the long term. Your care team will provide you with diet and physical activity recommendations as part of your survivorship plan.
Moving On From Treatment
It’s natural to feel continuing mental health effects, such as depression and anxiety, even after your treatment ends. This is where you can benefit from a supportive community. Look to strengthen your relationships with friends and family, faith groups, support groups, and mental health professionals to buoy you as you move on from treatment.
In addition to caring for their mental health, people who finish treatment and are in complete remission will want to move on from cancer with a physically healthy lifestyle. Eating nutritious foods, exercising regularly, staying at a healthy weight, and not smoking are all lifestyle practices that generally contribute to a healthy quality of life.
Indeed, cancer and its treatment might naturally point survivors in the direction of such practices. “Mostly [we’re] trying to maximize the quality of life that people have, because once you have a cancer diagnosis, I think it is an important time in someone’s life where they can take stock and really understand what’s important,” Dr. Jain adds.
There’s Life After Cancer
We are certainly admiring Neill for not letting his cancer diagnosis prevent him from doing what he loves, like acting, spending time with animals, and looking back on past films he acted in.
Sometimes it can be hard for cancer patients to see the light at the end of the tunnel especially after being hit with a diagnosis. However, SurvivorNet has shared thousands of stories from cancer warriors that prove everyday challenges tend to improve over time. With the support of loved ones that make up your support group, you too can find a way to navigate your emotions.
Your support group also helps motivate you while undergoing the rigors of cancer treatment. While every cancer warrior’s journey is unique, one thing is certain, you are more than your diagnosis.
Neill and many other cancer survivors continue to demonstrate there’s life after cancer every day by focusing on what brings them joy, happiness, and gratitude.
WATCH: Living In Gratitude
Gratitude means being thankful for what you have and showing appreciation for it. It’s a mindset that helps people going through tough times, and the experts SurvivorNet spoke with encourage cancer warriors and their loved ones to practice gratitude.
Dr. Zuri Murrell, a colorectal cancer surgeon at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, told SurvivorNet that his patients who live with gratitude tend to handle treatment better because this attitude is one way to stay mentally healthy.
Contributing: SurvivorNet Staff
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