James' Lymphoma Journey To Remission
- Actress Tessa James, 34, was diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma in 2014. She faced a six-month chemotherapy journey that followed her father’s earlier battle with non-Hodgkin lymphoma, deepening her personal connection to cancer awareness.
- James described treatment as her “new normal,” drawing strength from her acting mindset to face each session with courage, and later reflecting on how the experience reshaped her identity: “I was a new me.”
- Hodgkin Lymphoma and Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma are the two main types of lymphoma, and their classification depends upon white blood cells and the presence (or absence) of Reed-Sternberg cells.
- They are both cancers of the lymphatic system, which includes lymph nodes, spleen, bone marrow, and other immune tissues. They’re symptoms can overlap, including swollen lymph nodes, fatigue, fever, night sweats, and unexplained weight loss. However, the way they are treated may vary.
- Lymphoma treatment largely depends on the nature of your specific diagnosis. For non-Hodgkin lymphoma patients, their cancer is more likely to spread randomly and be discovered in different groups of lymph nodes in the body.
- Treatment for non-Hodgkin lymphoma often includes chemotherapy, radiation, immunotherapy, and targeted therapy.
- SurvivorNet experts say a chemotherapy combination called R-CHOP is an effective treatment for aggressive non-Hodgkin lymphoma. It stands for Rituximab (Rituxan), a monoclonal antibody, Cyclophosphamide (a type of chemotherapy drug), Doxorubicin hydrochloride (hydroxydaunomycin—a kind of chemotherapy drug), Vincristine sulfate (Oncovin—a sort of chemotherapy drug), and Prednisone (a steroid).
In 2014, James was diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma, a cancer that begins in B lymphocytes—white blood cells that help the body fight infection. Her father had previously battled non-Hodgkin lymphoma, a related but distinct form of cancer that also originates in the immune system’s lymphocytes, either B cells or T cells.
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“You become less and less of a person, basically. Not that it has any similarity to acting, but it was a similar thing I would say to myself before I go into an audition: ‘Yes, you can do this.’ And I would go in and really get the courage to go into that room. I did that every time I went in for treatment.”
She added, “The first, second time you go in, you don’t really know what’s happening. But third, fourth—you know what you’re going into. That was really difficult. I think it took me a long time to get my sense of self back. And it wasn’t even the same sense of self. I was a different person. I was a new me. And I think that took a bit of time to get used to.”
Today, James is cancer-free and thriving. Much of her time is devoted to her family and her four children, a source of joy and grounding after her health battle. In a heartfelt Instagram post, she wrote, “Grateful for this journey and everything that came with it.”
Her resilience has inspired many, including fellow creatives and fans. “Your strength and resilience are so inspiring,” commented Instagram user Sacha Strebe, echoing the admiration shared across her community.
Expert Resources on non-Hodgkin Lymphoma
Hodgkin Lymphoma and non-Hodgkin lymphoma are the two main types of lymphoma, and their classification depends on the type of white blood cells and the presence (or absence) of Reed-Sternberg cells.
They are both cancers of the lymphatic system, which includes lymph nodes, spleen, bone marrow, and other immune tissues. They’re symptoms can overlap, including swollen lymph nodes, fatigue, fever, night sweats, and unexplained weight loss. However, the way they are treated may vary.
WATCH: Dr. Jason Westin explains symptoms associated with lymphoma
If doctors are unable to detect the Reed-Sternberg cell (a giant cell derived from B lymphocytes), then the lymphoma is categorized as Non-Hodgkin lymphoma. However, if Reed-Sternberg cells are present, the lymphoma is diagnosed as Hodgkin Lymphoma.
WATCH: The type of lymphoma you have matters.
Lymphoma treatment largely depends on the nature of your specific diagnosis. For non-Hodgkin lymphoma patients, their cancer is more likely to spread randomly and be discovered in different groups of lymph nodes in the body. Hodgkin lymphoma cancers, on the other hand, are more likely to grow consistently from one group of lymph nodes directly to another.
B-Cell vs. T-Cell Lymphoma
Doctors classify non-Hodgkin lymphoma based on the type of lymphocytes affected:
B-cell lymphomas account for nearly 85% of non-Hodgkin lymphoma 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 non-Hodgkin lymphoma 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.
What Treatment for Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma Looks Like?
Lymphoma treatment largely depends on the nature of your specific diagnosis. For non-Hodgkin lymphoma patients, their cancer is more likely to spread randomly and be discovered in different groups of lymph nodes in the body. Hodgkin lymphoma cancers, on the other hand, are more likely to grow consistently from one group of lymph nodes directly to another.
WATCH: Non-Hodgkin lymphoma treatment options
“There are some lymphomas that are very treatable but not curable,” Dr. Lawrence Piro told SurvivorNet.
Dr. Lawrence Piro is the President and CEO of The Angeles Clinic and Research Institute in Los Angeles, a Cedars-Sinai affiliate. He adds that some lymphomas progress quickly if left untreated.
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 that 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.
WATCH: Understanding R-CHOP treatment.
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 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.
Questions for Your Doctor
If you are dealing with a lymphoma diagnosis, it’s important to ask your doctor a series of questions so you will have an idea of what your next steps will look like. 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 performing 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 from during my treatment?
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