Adaptations to indolent B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma management (including follicular lymphoma [FL], marginal zone lymphoma [MZL] and Waldenström’s macroglobulinaemia [WM])
Medical management of indolent B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma
High priority
Your appointment may be a high priority if:
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You experience a life-threatening situation, such as compression of a vital organ. Life-threatening situations are rare in indolent B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma (B-NHL), but in these cases your doctor will consider the potential benefits and risks of immediate versus delayed treatment, balanced against the risk of COVID‑19 infection, and will advise on the best approach for you. If treatment goes ahead, your chemotherapy regimen may be altered to minimise the use of immunosuppressive drugs and reduce the number of clinic visits required. You may also receive prophylactic growth factors to help boost your immune system and reduce the risk of neutropenia.
- You are due to undergo curative radiotherapy for indolent B-NHL
Medium priority
Your appointment may be a medium priority if:
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You need treatment for advanced indolent B-NHL. However, whenever possible, your doctor will adopt a ‘watch and wait’ strategy to delay treatment until it is necessary. If treatment goes ahead, your chemotherapy regimen may be altered to minimise the minimise the use of immunosuppressive drugs and reduce the number of clinic visits required
- You test positive for COVID-19. In these cases, planned treatment will be delayed if possible until a negative test is confirmed
- You are undergoing active treatment and test positive for COVID-19 but have no symptoms of the virus, you will be monitored closely. Treatment may be paused or stopped, depending on the individual patient’s circumstances
- You are receiving active treatment and test positive for COVID-19 with symptoms of the virus, active treatment will be stopped
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You are receiving additional treatments, such as maintenance therapy, these may be avoided during the COVID-19 pandemic to avoid long-term use of immunosuppressive drugs, minimise the need for clinic visits and reduce pressure on critical hospital resources needed for COVID-19
Low priority
Your appointment may be a low priority if:
- You are not in urgent need of treatment for indolent B-NHL. In these cases, your doctor will adopt a ‘watch and wait’ strategy to avoid treatment