Dr. Lauren C. Pinter Brown Guide to Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma

A relapse or refractory diagnosis of large B-cell lymphoma (LBCL) can feel overwhelming. Anxiety, fear, and sadness are normal—but managing stress is key to maintaining your well-being during treatment.

Assuming the role of a caregiver when someone you love is facing diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) that returns (relapse) or does not respond to initial treatment (refractory) comes with a unique set of responsibilities. Through interviews with expert oncologists, social workers from the Orange County in California, SurvivorNet came up with a checklist of helpful actions caregivers can take immediately after a loved one's diagnosis.

Seek the advice of someone who truly specializes in lymphoma. Ask questions until you understand the plan. Let your caregivers help you make decisions when feeling overwhelmed with a relapse or recurrence of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), the most common aggressive form of non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

When lymphoma comes back after treatment, doctors often talk about “bridging therapy” — a short-term approach used to keep the disease under control while preparing for CAR T-Cell Therapy, a potentially curative option for some people.