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Is watch and wait common for DLBCL after therapy if the tumor is only slightly smaller?

Watch and wait is typically not the standard approach for DLBCL after treatment shows only partial response. DLBCL is an aggressive, high-grade lymphoma, and oncologists generally aim for complete remission (CR) where all signs of cancer Show Full Answer

Is watch and wait common for DLBCL after therapy if the tumor is only slightly smaller?

Watch and wait is typically not the standard approach for DLBCL after treatment shows only partial response. DLBCL is an aggressive, high-grade lymphoma, and oncologists generally aim for complete remission (CR) where all signs of cancer disappear.

If your tumor has only gotten slightly smaller after therapy, this would likely be considered a partial response. About 20 percent of people achieve only partial response to first-line R-CHOP treatment, and their DLBCL becomes resistant to that treatment. This is known as primary refractory disease.

In this situation, doctors typically don't recommend watch and wait. Instead, they usually suggest second-line treatment options to try to achieve complete remission. These might include different medications, bone marrow transplant, CAR T-cell therapy, or enrollment in clinical trials.

Watch and wait is more commonly used for slow-growing (indolent) lymphomas like follicular lymphoma, not aggressive types like DLBCL. It's important to discuss your specific situation with your oncologist to understand the best treatment path forward.

 AI-generated responses are not a substitute for medical advice. These services are not intended to diagnose, treat, or cure any condition or disease. Always ask your doctor about specific health concerns.

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